{"id":105517,"date":"2018-04-04T00:01:53","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T06:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/?p=105517"},"modified":"2020-08-05T21:31:25","modified_gmt":"2020-08-06T03:31:25","slug":"how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/2018\/04\/how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading\/","title":{"rendered":"Laundering Linen &#8211; How to Wash Flaxen Fibers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Made from the long fibers of the flax plant, humans have been using linen for over six thousand years. And yet, some of us are still afraid to wash it.<\/span>Why,\u00a0you ask? Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/2017\/12\/clean-maintain-wool-goods\/\">just like wool<\/a>, linen has picked up an unjust reputation of being difficult to wash and care for. The truth is, once you know how to wash linen correctly, it&#8217;s a breeze. So, to get you prepared for linen season, we&#8217;ve put together a quick fool-proof guide to the do&#8217;s and don&#8217;ts of washing this flaxen fiber.<\/p>\n<h2>Three Golden Rules<\/h2>\n<p>Most people go astray on their linen laundry by breaking one of the three following rules. Keep them in mind, and you should avoid the majority of potential problems.<\/p><div class=\"related_posts evergreen_funnels\"><h3>Like this? Read these:<\/h3><div class=\"flex space-x-4\"><div class=\"related_post w-1\/2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/2022\/11\/store-quality-clothing\/\"><img width=\"360\" height=\"225\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-store-your-quality-clothing-image-via-etsy-360x225.jpg\" class=\"left wp-post-image\" alt=\"How-To-Store-Your-Quality-Clothing-image-via-Etsy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><noscript><img width=\"360\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-store-your-quality-clothing-image-via-etsy-360x225.jpg\" class=\"left wp-post-image\" alt=\"How-To-Store-Your-Quality-Clothing-image-via-Etsy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/noscript><h4>How To Store Your Quality Clothing<\/h4><\/a><\/div><div class=\"related_post w-1\/2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/2015\/10\/how-to-buy-first-sewing-machine\/\"><img width=\"360\" height=\"225\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/sewingmachinefeat-360x225.jpg\" class=\"left wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><noscript><img width=\"360\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/sewingmachinefeat-360x225.jpg\" class=\"left wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/noscript><h4>How to Buy Your First Sewing Machine<\/h4><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Don&#8217;t use hot water\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; Hot washes will cause shrinkage and degrading of the garment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Don&#8217;t tumble dry<\/strong> &#8211; The high temperature and spinning motion of the dryer will cause potentially irreversible crinkling\/creasing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Don&#8217;t use biological detergents<\/strong> &#8211; The enzymes in biological detergents are in place to eat away at the proteins of food stains. Linen fibers are made up of proteins so these enzymes gradually eat away at the fabric.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>How to Wash Linen &#8211; Five Easy Steps<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<h3>1. Is a Wash Necessary?<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_105618\" style=\"width: 1055px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105618\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-105618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-shrewton-laundry-e1522093711296.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-shrewton-laundry\" width=\"1045\" height=\"548\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-105618\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Shrewton Laundry.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>One of the unique characteristics of linen is its lack of elasticity. This rigidity allows it to hold its shape. So, if you find your linen garment starting to droop slightly or lose some shape\u00a0due to daily wear, this would be a good time to give it a wash to freshen up the fibers. Dry cleaning is an option, especially if the care label indicates &#8216;dry clean only&#8217;, however, most linen garments fair absolutely fine with a simple machine wash.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Check for Stains<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_105619\" style=\"width: 1055px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105619\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-105619\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-singapore-laundry.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-singapore-laundry\" width=\"1045\" height=\"699\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-105619\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Singapore Laundry.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Inspect your garment for any nasty stains. Any harsh marks or stains will need spot cleaning as the low-temperature wash that linen requires may not be enough to combat them. A spot cleaning service is provided by most good dry cleaners but there is a whole world of home stain removal solutions available.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Check the Care Tag<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_105621\" style=\"width: 1055px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105621\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-105621 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-charly-chau-e1522093767677.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-charly-chau\" width=\"1045\" height=\"433\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-105621\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Charly Chau.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/2016\/10\/care-tag-labels-decoded\/\">care label<\/a> of your garment for a recommended\u00a0temperature, most linen garments should be washed on a mid-to-cold temperature, however, a linen blend may be able to withstand higher temperatures.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Start Your Washing Machine<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_105624\" style=\"width: 1055px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105624\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-105624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-place-images-side-by-side-both-via-linen-wash.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-place-images-side-by-side-both-via-linen-wash\" width=\"1045\" height=\"699\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-105624\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Le Blanc&#8217;s dedicated Linen Wash.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Set your washing machine to the recommended\u00a0temperature (that means not hot!), preferably on a moderate program with a gentle spin cycle. Add a measure of non-biological detergent or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/2015\/11\/soap-nuts-laundry-detergent-review-worn-out\/\">natural soap solution<\/a>. There are special detergents available that are tailored to care and preserve linen textiles, but you can get by just fine with a regular <em>non-biological<\/em> detergent.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_105625\" style=\"width: 1055px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105625\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-105625\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-pinterest.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-pinterest\" width=\"1045\" height=\"699\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-105625\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8216;image via pinterest&#8217;<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Toss in your linen garment(s) and you&#8217;re good to go. You can take this opportunity to wash the garment with similar colored items, but it is recommended that linen garments are given enough space in the drum, so they can be agitated adequately to reduce crinkling and creasing.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Hang it Dry<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_105626\" style=\"width: 1055px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105626\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-105626\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heddels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-lauren-winter.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-wash-linen-laundering-without-shrinking-or-degrading-image-via-lauren-winter\" width=\"1045\" height=\"699\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-105626\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via Lauren Winter.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Once the cycle is finished, remove your linen from the washer while it is still slightly damp. To dry, lay the garment flat on a cooling rail, or hang. Removing whilst damp helps to reduce shrinkage and creasing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Made from the long fibers of the flax plant, humans have been using linen for over six thousand years. And&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":90852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4792,41770],"tags":[879,2392,265],"acf":{"published_feed_date":"2018-04-04 00:01:53"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.8 (Yoast SEO v21.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Laundering Linen - How to Wash Flaxen Fibers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Linen is one of the oldest clothing fibers in human history, yet many are still afraid of washing it. 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