How To Wash Linen Clothes and Take Care of It
Linen is a popular choice among people due to its absorbency, breathability, and antibacterial properties. However, considering all these qualities, one might wonder how to wash linen clothes, as they are prone to wrinkling and fuzzing if folds and creases are neglected. To maintain its characteristics, let’s learn how to take care of linen when washing at home.
If, however, you desire the satisfaction of a job well done in Amsterdam, choosing the businesslike approach, Love2Laundry would be your ultimate solution. Our experts can take special care of your linen clothes, providing quick and effective laundry and dry-cleaning solutions. Visit our website to learn everything you need. That’s because we know how to wash linen clothes.
Washing Instructions for Linen: Handle with Care
Getting wrinkles, fuzzing, and fading in spots on linen clothing? That’s mainly because it’s not easy to work with. But don’t fret, we have compiled a thorough washing instruction for how to wash linen clothes. Let’s learn how to handle them with care:
Check the Label Before You Start Washing Linen Clothing
The first step to knowing how to wash linen clothes or how to wash linen pants properly is to check the label attached to the inner side of the clothes. This shows the complete instructions for that particular item. Check the symbols; that’s the easiest way to understand.
For example, a symbol of iron, a symbol of a washing bowl, and a square with a circle inside recommend the specific temperature for washing and ironing.
Separate Colours
Another important thing to consider is to separate the colours of linen while washing them. Usually, linen is white, but if it’s brightly coloured, then it’s advisable to keep it intact or else it will bleed the colour and ruin your linen garments. If you want, you can make a list of steps for how to wash linen clothes for future use.
Use Cold Water
Washing your linen clothes in cold water is more effective and safe than using hot water, as it will not shrink or degrade the fabric’s colour. Wash it in the sink or washing bowl and fill it with cold water at 30° to 40° C or 85° to 100° F.
Prefer Hand Wash
Prefer hand washing for your linen pants and shirts, as it reduces the chances of damage to the fabric and fibres. Especially if it’s a delicate item that can tend to get stretched out and fade in the washing machine.
Avoid Overcrowding
Overloading means the clothing will be less clean and the overall efficiency of the machine will be affected. When clothes get packed in firmly, they won’t be able to spin freely, hence the dirt and dust will stay on the surface of the fabric.
Air-Dry for the Win
Lastly, air drying is the final step, allowing air to dry to a certain temperature that won’t affect the moisture when exposed to air. In this way, you can get rid of damp clothes that ultimately cause a bad smell.
How To Wash Linen Clothes By Hands
Fact: Washing linen clothing with a machine damages it on a microscopic level; on the other hand, washing it by hand reduces energy and water consumption.
You must be wondering how to wash linen clothes by hand, right? Let’s overlook the steps of washing them by hand:
Sort Your Linens
Start by sorting your linens according to colour and fabric type. This is the best way to separate the clothes by their type, as it can prevent one from bleeding or dying over another.
Use Lukewarm Water
Using lukewarm water, i.e., mixing hot and cold water, for washing purposes is a safe idea, as it will not ruin the fabric’s fibres and would be gentle with the clothing. It can improve the efficiency of cleanliness and prolong the lifespan of a fabric.
Choose a Mild Detergent
Choosing a mild detergent is another effective way to wash linen clothing. It focuses on using a chemical composition that is effective in washing. They also contribute to an eco-friendly environment, unlike traditional laundry detergents with harsh chemicals.
Gently Agitate
Add detergent and submerge them completely. Use your hands gently in such a way that it mimics the agitation of a washing machine. Swirling and pumping the detergent solution so that it can penetrate the fibres deeply.
Rinse Thoroughly
After that, rinse the clothing thoroughly using cold water. Cold water is more reactive against delicate fabrics like cotton, silk, or linen. Also, it helps to remove stubborn stains and spots.
Press, Don’t Wring
Pressing the clothes typically involves pressing the iron down onto the fabric and lifting it while wringing the clothes, which means twisting and squeezing the fabric to remove the excess water. Therefore, it is advisable not to wring the clothes, as they will stretch or lose their shape.
Air Dry
Air drying is an effective and easiest way to dry clothes if done correctly; it reduces the amount of moisture produced by the washed cycle without using heat.
How To Wash Linen in a Washing Machine
Similarly, if you want to know how to wash linen in washing machine, it would be way easier than doing it by hand. It saves energy and time, while you can multitask. So, here are the key steps for how to wash linen clothes in a washing machine.
Check the Care Label
It is essential to check the care label before putting them in a washing machine. These delicate clothing types, such as linen, come with specific instructions; make sure to check the symbols mentioned on them.
If it shows a certain temperature for clothing and dry cleaning, then choose that accurately and don’t overheat it, as that will damage the fabric fibres.
Separate Colours
Sort the clothes according to their colour and fabric type before you machine wash linen. Separate the dark-coloured clothes and make sure they don’t mix, as it will bleed one colour over another.
Use a Gentle Cycle
Prefer a gentle washing cycle; use a delicate cycle or the normal one; and if your washing machine allows you to choose the suitable temperature, go for a low temperature, i.e., 55°C normally.
Choose a Mild Detergent
Choosing a mild or eco-friendly detergent would be a perfect choice for washing delicate fabrics like linen. It prolongs the life of a cloth, plus it won’t fade the colour like traditional laundry detergent.
Avoid Overloading the Machine
Overloading the washing machine means you are making it harder for the machine to perform its function. It will ultimately consume more water and energy and affect the overall efficiency of the cycle. Instead, sort the clothes and make enough room to spin properly.
Skip the Fabric Softener
Fabric softener is not an essential product to use for washing purposes, as it may lead to skin allergies and complications as well. However, if you want to give it a new and refreshing look, you can use the softener.
Air Dry or Tumble Dry Low
Air drying is a natural method that involves allowing fabrics to dry in the open air, making it particularly suitable for delicate materials like linen or cotton. This method is recommended for those who wonder how to dry linen clothes gently. On the other hand, tumble drying uses heat for drying purposes. Use it only for fabrics that can withstand heat.
How Often To Wash Linen Clothes and Bed Sheets
Linen is a breathable fabric and it does not require washing or dry cleaning more frequently. However, it varies. If the fabric is not resistant to dirt and odours, then you may wash it more often. But on average, you can wash your linen bed sheets once or twice a week.
Whereas for linen clothes, you can wear them a few times before washing them unless you spill something on them or they may have any odour. Just make sure to read the above-mentioned steps for how to wash linen clothes to avoid confusion.
FAQs
How long does linen clothing last?
The linen clothing lasts approximately 5 years but it can go beyond one season or decade with proper care and washing.
Can I dry linen in the dryer?
Yes, you can dry linen in the dryer as long as the instructions show that it’s safe to use the dryer for that specific clothing. Use medium heat to dry linen shirts or pants, as too much heat can cause damage to clothing.
Can you dry clean linen shirts?
Absolutely. Dry cleaning uses a solvent that is specifically designed to work on the fabric much more delicately than traditional washing does. It will be returned to you dried, ironed, and folded.
Does linen shrink with each wash?
Yes, linen and cotton tend to shrink, especially after a first wash but to prevent this, use cold water for washing the linen clothes.
Wrap Up!
So far, we know the techniques and gentle approaches to how to wash linen clothes carefully. You can take care of them using a washing machine or by hand if done correctly.
Checking the care labels or instructions to wash linen shirts or any other linen item, sorting it out according to the type of fabric, choosing a mild detergent and low temperature, and then rinsing it with cold water are some of the useful approaches for how to wash linen clothing.
