Caring for your linen

Caring for your linen

Our lovely linen must be cared for properly to ensure it stays looking and feeling as good as new. Here we have put together our very own linen care guide to ensure you know how to get the most out of your linen products.

Washing new linen in a washing machine should be done on a cooler temperature and the linen should be on its own. After the first few washes, it can then be washed at 40˚ and with other items of the same or a similar colour. Washing linens on a high temperature may result in shrinkage, this is why we recommend a 40˚ wash. For heavy staining, linen can be washed at 60˚. This is because the slightly higher temperature prompts the fibres that make up the linen to release any staining. Linen is highly absorbent, so the more water you can have in the drum, the better. Bear in mind that filling your washing machine with too many items may cause the linen to twist and stretch and lose its shape.

Linens that may be easily damaged in a washing machine, or are not stained, can ideally be washed by hand. Care must be taken so that you do not wring, twist or scrub the cloth; instead use a gentle swishing motion to avoid damaging the fibres. When washing by hand, add the detergent to the water and then add your linen, do not pour the detergent onto the linen as this may result in colour damage and damage to the fibres. Rinse your linen thoroughly before drying.

When choosing a laundry detergent pick a mild or neutral detergent that does not contain any bleaching agents, like peroxide or chlorine. White linen however, is an exception; bleaching agents are great for maintaining the bright white appearance of these linens. Ensure they are oxygen based as chlorine based bleaches can cause yellowing.

To dry your linen, do not wring it out as this may weaken the fabric and cause it to change shape. Linen can be tumble-dried, but ensure it is slightly damp when you remove it from the tumble drier. A tip for drying white linen is to hang it out to dry in the sun as this helps maintain and enhance the colour. Be mindful that over-drying is one of the most harmful processes for linen and can lead to shrinkage and pilling. Over dried linen is forced to restore its natural moisture by reabsorbing moisture from the air.

The best time to iron linen is when it is still damp as this will help smooth creases and wrinkles. Iron on the reverse side where possible and use a warm or hot setting. If you do not wish to iron your linen products, smooth and fold whilst damp and leave to air dry.

Washed linen is resistant to shrinkage compared to non-washed linen, in fact washed linen products usually shrinks 3% or less!