Essential Linen Care Guide: Tips for Longevity, Sustainability, and Reducing Environmental Impact

Caring for Linen Garments: A Simple Guide

Linen is a durable, breathable, and eco-friendly fabric, but proper care is essential to preserve its beauty and extend its lifespan. Follow these easy tips to keep your linen garments in top condition:

Washing Linen

Before washing, ask yourself: does it really need to be cleaned? To reduce energy and water consumption, wear your linen clothes a few times before laundering. This approach not only helps your clothes last longer but also contributes to a more sustainable environment by reducing unnecessary washes.

Machine Washing: Most linen items can be machine washed, but always check the care label. Use cold to avoid shrinkage.

Gentle Cycle: Opt for the gentle or delicate cycle on your washing machine to reduce agitation that can weaken the fibres over time.

Mild Detergent: Choose a mild, natural detergent to protect the linen’s fibres. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the fabric.

Preventing Colour Bleeding: It’s normal for linen, especially dark-coloured pieces, to bleed during the initial washes. To prevent colour transfer, wash new coloured linen separately or with similar colours. The bleeding will decrease after a few washes.

Linen Care: it’s generally recommended to wash linen with salt during the initial wash. Salt helps set the dye and prevent fading. Garment-dyed linen tends to release some excess dye during the first wash, so using salt can lock in the colour. Here’s how:

  1. Use Cold Water: Cold water is gentler on linen and helps preserve the dye.

  2. Add Salt: Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt to the wash water to help set the colour.

  3. Gentle Cycle: Wash the linen on a gentle cycle to avoid excessive agitation, which can weaken the fibres.

  4. Avoid Fabric Softeners: Fabric softeners can coat the fibers and interfere with the dye-setting process.

  5. Yarn Dyed Linen will also benefit from salt in initial wash.

Hand Washing: For more delicate linen items, hand wash in cold water with a gentle detergent. Gently agitate the fabric, avoiding wringing or twisting.

Drying Linen

Air Drying: The best way to dry linen is by hanging it on a clothesline or laying it flat on a clean surface. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, as this can cause fading.

Avoid Tumble Drying: If you prefer to use a dryer, set it to low heat. However, air drying is always gentler, preserving the fabric’s texture and shape.

Shake Out Wrinkles: After washing, gently shake out your linen garment to remove wrinkles before drying.

Ironing Linen

Linen naturally wrinkles, which is part of its appeal. If you prefer a smoother finish, iron your linen garments while they are still slightly damp.

Use a medium to high heat setting and spray with water if necessary. Always iron on the reverse side to avoid shiny marks.

For a more relaxed look, embrace the natural wrinkles for a laid-back style.

Storing Linen

Proper Storage: When not in use, store linen garments in a cool, dry place. Avoid hanging them in tight spaces, as this can lead to wrinkles.

Avoid Plastic: Use breathable garment bags or cotton bags to protect your linen from dust and moisture.

Stain Removal

Treat stains quickly by blotting (don’t rub) the affected area with cold water and a mild detergent. For tougher stains, use a gentle stain remover that is safe for linen. Always test the product on an inconspicuous area first.

How to Use Baking Soda to Soften Linen:

  1. In the wash:

    • Add to the washing machine: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine along with your regular laundry detergent. This can help to soften the linen during the wash cycle.

    • Use cold  As linen can be sensitive to high heat, it’s best to wash the fabric in cold water to avoid any potential shrinking.

By following these care guidelines, your linen garments will maintain their natural beauty, softness, and durability for years to come. Remember, colour bleeding in new linen items is normal and will subside after a few washes. Plus, wearing your clothes multiple times before washing them not only helps preserve their lifespan but also reduces your environmental impact.

 

Wool Fabric Care

Did you know that wool garments resist odours and don’t need to be washed as frequently? This is thanks to their natural properties that help prevent odour buildup.

Only Wash When Necessary: Wool garments should be washed only when absolutely needed. Simply airing them out can be just as effective.

If washing is required, we recommend either hand washing or using the wool cycle on your machine (avoid spinning).

Dry Flat: Always dry wool garments flat to maintain their shape.

Pilling: A little pilling is natural, even with high-quality yarns. You can easily remove pills with a comb.

Proper Storage: Store wool garments folded to avoid stretching or distortion that may occur from hanging.