Everything you need to know about linen

Learn how to care for your linen garments

Short version:

Linen as a fabric is having somewhat of a renaissance as a fabric for making clothes and textiles, but it is actually one of our eldest know fabrics. It’s a natural super material! It can hold a lot of moist without feeling damp, is naturally antibacterial and dirt repellant – and also sustainable to grow. Linen can be washed in maximum of 80 °C, but will be clean even in lower temperatures. Always steam or iron linen clothes after laundry – never tumble dry.

The fabric for royals

Linen cabinet and bed linen – have you ever wondered why many things connected to textiles are called something with linen? It’s not a coincidence. Linen – fabric made from the flax plant – has historically been the most common woven fabric. For instance, the mummies were actually wrapped in cloths made of linen.

A sustainable option

In our modern days cotton has been the king of textile production, but linen is actually having a renaissance. And rightfully so! Linen is a natural super material. It can absorb up to 20% of its own weight in moist without feeling damp, and that’s why it always feels cool to the touch. Linen is incredible useful for making shirts, blouses, suits, cloths, bed linen and dish cloths.

Contrasting to cotton, the flax plant is sustainable to grow. It requires very little water and the flax plant can sustain in colder climates and can even be cultivated in soil that’s not fertile enough to grow produce. Flax is also naturally resistant to many pests and you rarely have to use pesticides or weed killers.

How do I wash linen?

Linen textiles need to be washed with a lot of water to avoid damage caused by the folding.
Let your garments or fabrics soak in water before you wash them and avoid water-saving eco programs.
Linen sheets, towels and dish cloths: Wash in 60 °C (over 80 degrees and the special qualities of linen won’t be preserved)
Delicate linen items, embroidered cloths or sheer curtains: Choose the wool program or hand wash. Always air and remove stains before washing, consider washing as the last resort
Choose a gentle spin cycle. Squeeze out excessive water instead
Hang dry and straighten out all seams
Iron at high temperatures or steam, unless you want that messy, wrinkly look

Linen and laundry – do’s and dont’s

Wash linen with fabric softener?

No, fabric softener is a completely unnecessary cocktail of chemicals, and it’s also bad for the environment. Some advice you to use fabric softener when you want your bed linen to look casually wrinkly, but we recommend you wrinkle your sheets and duvet cover by hand, when the fabrics are still a little bit damp.

Do clothes made of linen stretch?

They often do. Choose the smaller size if you’re between two sizes.

What temperatures can I wash linen in?

Maximum 80 °C, but most garments will be clean even at 30 degrees. Linen doesn’t catch dirt as easy as cotton does. Bed linen and towels are recommended to be wash in 60 °Cs. Colored textiles might become matte if you repeatedly wash them in 60 °C

Should I iron linen clothes?

Yes, preferably while the fabric is still a little moist. Ironed linen clothes become soft, shiny and more resistant to dirt. We’ll of course recommend that you steam your linen instead of iron. Steaming has all of the perks, but steaming is far more gentle and faster than the iron.

Steam linen clothes?

You definitely should! Linen garments are stale after washing, but they’ll become soft as a baby’s bottom after you’ve steamed them.

Does linen wrinkle?

Yes, especially if you tumble dry (even though you shouldn’t). Linen clothes are perfect for a casual look.

Should I handwash linen clothes?

Only the delicate ones. Same goes for curtains and cloths. Handwash if they’re embroidered or made of sheer linen. Read all you need to know about handwashing here

What detergent do I choose?

Choose a mild one. We recommend our Sports Wash Detergent.

Do I have to mangle my linen cloths?

Mangle is for perfectionists only. Mangled linen cloths will become shiny and lustrous and repel dirt better. Don’t mourn if you don’t have access to a clothes mangle, very few have. Also, a wrinkly linen cloth gives your table setting the perfect casual touch.

Is linen antibacterial?

Yes, it actually is. Linen fabrics doesn’t offer a suitable environment for bacteria growth since it doesn’t hold moisture. They don’t easily catch bad smells, and that’s why for instance linen sweaters are optimal to use instead of synthetic training sweaters.