How to Care for Linen Clothing

Linen gets softer with every wash. That's the good news. The bad news is most people ruin it long before it gets there. Here's how to keep your linen looking sharp for years.

Washing

• Cold or lukewarm water only. Hot water shrinks linen and weakens the fibres over time.
• Gentle cycle. Linen is strong when dry but more delicate when wet. A standard cycle is too aggressive.
• Mild detergent, no bleach. Bleach breaks down linen fibres. If you need to brighten whites, use oxygen-based whitener instead.
• Wash separately or with similar fabrics. Linen's texture can pill softer fabrics like cotton jersey. Keep it with other linens or sturdy cottons.
• Don't overload the machine. Linen needs room to move in the drum. Cramming it in causes deep creasing that's hard to remove.

Drying

• Air dry whenever possible. Hang or lay flat. Linen dries quickly on its own and this is the gentlest option.
• If using a dryer, pull it out while still slightly damp. Over-drying makes linen stiff and brittle. Remove it early and smooth it by hand.
• Never wring linen. Roll it in a towel to remove excess water, then hang. Wringing distorts the weave.

Ironing

• Iron while damp. Linen is easiest to press when it still has some moisture. Use a spray bottle if it's already dry.
• Medium-high heat, steam on. Linen can handle heat — it's the one fabric where a hot iron is actually your friend.
• Iron on the reverse side to avoid shine on darker colours.
• Or don't iron at all. Linen's natural drape and soft creasing is part of its character. A relaxed look is perfectly fine.

Storage

• Hang structured pieces like blazers and trousers to maintain their shape.
• Fold knitwear and casual pieces loosely. Tight folding creates permanent creases.
• Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid plastic garment bags — linen needs to breathe. Use cotton or muslin bags instead.
• Cedar blocks, not mothballs. Cedar protects against insects without the chemical smell.

When to call in the professionals

Some linen pieces — tailored suits, delicate blends, anything with structure — benefit from professional cleaning. If the care label says dry clean, trust it. And if you'd rather not think about any of this, that's what we're here for.