How to wash linen
Keep linen soft, crisp, and long-lasting with the right wash routine.
Updated 31 July 2026
Overview
Linen is one of the best hot-weather fabrics — but it's also easy to shrink, warp, or over-wash. Wash it cool and gentle and it'll get softer with every wear.
Before you wash
- Check the care label.
- Separate whites from colours.
- Turn garments inside out.
- Close zips and buttons.
- Wash new dark linen alone the first two times — dye can bleed.
Washing
- Machine wash on a gentle / delicate cycle.
- Temperature — cold (20–30°C). Hot water shrinks linen.
- Detergent — mild, and less than you think. Skip fabric softener; it dulls linen's crispness.
- Don't overload — linen needs room to move.
Hand-washing
- Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of mild detergent.
- Swirl the garment gently for a couple of minutes. Don't wring or scrub.
- Rinse thoroughly in cool water.
- Press water out — don't twist.
Drying
- Air-dry flat or on a padded hanger, away from direct sun.
- If tumble-drying, use low heat and remove while slightly damp to avoid over-shrinkage.
- Reshape while damp.
Ironing
- Iron while still slightly damp for the best results.
- Use a medium-hot iron with steam.
- Iron on the reverse side for dark colours to protect against shine.
Long-term care
- Wash less often — air garments out between wears.
- Linen wrinkles are part of the look; don't over-fight it.
- Store folded or on padded hangers — wire hangers dent the shoulders.
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