How to Wash and Care for Linen Clothing

Written By Lana Visnjic

Linen… the more you wear it, the softer and more relaxed it becomes. In fact, linen is a fabric that gets better with age, especially when it’s cared for properly.

So, how do you keep your favourite linen pieces looking and feeling their best? The good news is, it’s pretty simple. Here are a few of our favourite tips and tricks for washing and caring for linen clothing.

A couple of things to do before you wash

First things first: check the care label. It might sound obvious, but every garment is a little different, and the care label will tell you exactly what your linen piece needs.

Before popping it in the wash, we also recommend turning your garment inside out. This helps reduce friction and wear on the outer surface of the fabric, while also helping to minimise colour fading over time.

Keep your wash gentle

If your linen garment is machine washable, opt for a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Linen doesn’t need an aggressive wash to get clean, and a gentler cycle will help keep those natural fibres looking and feeling good.

When it comes to detergent, less is more. Choose a gentle detergent and avoid using too much. Excess detergent can build up in the fibres, which may affect linen’s natural breathability and soft, beautiful texture.

Don’t overcrowd the washing machine. Give your linen pieces plenty of room to move around. This helps ensure dirt and detergent are properly rinsed away, while also reducing unnecessary friction and excessive creasing.

Let linen breathe

Hang your linen clothing to dry in the shade. A well-ventilated spot, under a verandah or a shady tree, is ideal.

While your garment is still damp, give it a gentle shake and reshape it with your hands. This helps smooth out creases naturally and can save you from having to reach for the iron.

And remember, a few wrinkles are part of linen’s charm. That relaxed, lived-in look is exactly what makes linen so effortlessly beautiful.

Love your linen

With a little care, your linen clothing can last for years—and become even softer, more comfortable and more beautiful along the way.

So wash it gently, give it room to breathe, let it dry naturally and don’t be afraid of a few wrinkles.

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We would love to hear your thoughts or any extra tips and tricks you have.

Thank you for reading.

Lana Visnjic