Care · Linen
How to wash linen
Linen isn't fussy. It has just two weak spots – overheating and sharp creases – and once you know them, it will last for decades.
First, one honest sentence: the label on the product always comes first. Linen is dyed, finished and blended with other fibres in many different ways, and the manufacturer knows what its fabric can take. The advice below consists of general principles that apply to most linen textiles.
Before the first wash
New linen that has not been pre-washed usually shrinks slightly in its first wash. If you are sewing from fabric bought by the metre, wash it before cutting in the same way you will wash the finished item. Stonewashed linen shrinks less.
Washing
- Temperature according to the label. White and undyed linen can usually take a higher temperature than coloured linen. If in doubt, choose the lower one.
- Room in the drum. An overloaded machine creates sharp creases that are hard to iron out later and put strain on the fibre in one place.
- A mild detergent, no chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach weakens the fibre.
- No need for fabric conditioner. Linen softens with washing on its own; conditioner can reduce its absorbency.
- A lower spin speed reduces creasing.
Drying
The biggest mistake is to over-dry linen. Bone-dry, overheated linen fibre becomes brittle and loses its elasticity. If you use a tumble dryer, choose a low setting and take the linen out while it is still slightly damp. Line drying is the gentlest: shake it out, straighten the seams and hang it up.
Ironing
Linen is easiest to iron damp. Set the temperature according to the symbol on the label. Iron dark colours on the reverse to avoid shiny patches. If you like a "lived-in" look, don't iron at all – linen shaken out and hung up while slightly damp will straighten itself.
Stains
The sooner the better. First rinse the stain with cold water from the reverse rather than rubbing. Never use hot water on protein stains (blood, milk) – the heat "bakes" them in. For greasy stains, detergent worked into the dry stain before washing helps. On coloured linen, test any stain remover on a hidden spot first.
Storage
Store linen clean, dry and loosely folded, in a breathable cover or in a cupboard. Fold it differently from time to time so that creases don't always form in the same place.
We explain what each symbol on the label means in Care label symbols.
Fabric passport
Linen
Linum usitatissimum
- Origin
- Europe – mainly France, Belgium and the Netherlands
- Fibre
- Bast fibre from the stem of the flax plant
- Type
- natural plant fibre
- Feel
- Crisp and firm at first, softening with every wash; a characteristic irregular texture
- Breathability
- Very high
- Durability
- Very high – one of the strongest natural fibres
- Best for
- Summer clothing, bed linen, tea towels, tablecloths
- Care
- Machine washable; do not over-dry, iron while damp
Relative tendencies how we rate
Creases a great deal – a flaw to some, character to others. Stonewashed linen is soft from the start.
Compared
| Property | Linen | Regular cotton |
|---|---|---|
| Softness | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Breathability | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Warmth | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Drying speed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy care | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency to crease | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Care
- Wash with similar colours and do not overload the drum – linen needs room, otherwise sharp creases form.
- Take it out as soon as the programme finishes, shake it out and hang it up.
- Iron while slightly damp; avoid pressing folds in the same place every time.
- Store loosely folded, not in plastic.
The label on the individual product always takes precedence.
Sources
Last checked . First published 12 October 2026. Editorial policy · Report an error