With the heat waves stretching on this year, more of you have been reaching for linen. But washing and caring for it can feel a little intimidating, so we put together a simple guide to help your linen pieces stay beautiful for years to come.
1. Wash cold, with a mild detergent
A few things to keep in mind when washing linen:
- Cold water, below 30°C (86°F)
- A mild, neutral detergent
- Wool or delicate cycle
- Wash separately from other clothes
- Skip the fabric softener
- Use a mesh laundry bag if you have one
2. Spin briefly, dry in the shade
Keep the spin cycle short, and skip the dryer entirely. Dry your linen out of direct sunlight to help it keep its shape and color.
3. Iron out wrinkles after washing
Linen's natural wrinkles have their own charm, but too many can look a little messy. Iron while the fabric is still slightly damp, on low heat, for the cleanest finish. Once fully dry, wrinkles are much harder to smooth out, so a spray bottle or steamer can help.
4. Skip the bleach if you get a stain
Bleach might seem like the quick fix, but it weakens linen fibers and can even turn white or light-colored pieces yellow. If a stain shows up, try dabbing a little baking soda paste on it before washing.
5. Store somewhere with good airflow
When it's time to put linen away for the season, keep it somewhere dry and well-ventilated. Hanging it works better than folding it into storage bags. Once linen gets compressed, those wrinkles are tough to shake out.