How to Care for Linen
Linen is a strong, breathable natural fiber made from the flax plant, popular in warm-weather clothing and home textiles. It softens beautifully with each wash but is prone to wrinkling. Understanding how to properly wash and dry linen will help you embrace its relaxed aesthetic while keeping it in top condition.
🌡️ Wash Temperature
Machine wash linen in lukewarm water around 40°C (104°F) on a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent and avoid overloading the machine so the fabric can move freely.
☀️ Drying
Air drying is best for linen; hang or lay flat while still damp to minimize wrinkles. If using a dryer, select a low heat setting and remove while slightly damp to finish drying naturally.
🔥 Ironing
Iron linen while it is still damp for the smoothest finish, using a medium-high heat setting. For a more relaxed look, skip ironing entirely and embrace the natural creasing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Washing linen with heavy items like jeans that cause abrasion
- ✗Using bleach on colored linen, which weakens fibers and fades color
- ✗Over-drying linen in the dryer, making it stiff and hard to iron
- ✗Folding linen for long-term storage along the same creases, causing permanent lines