Linen Care Guide: How to Wash, Dry & Store Your Linen Clothes
Linen is one of the most beautiful and durable natural fabrics, but it requires proper care to maintain its softness, color, and longevity. Whether you've just purchased your first linen dress or you're building a linen wardrobe, knowing how to care for your pieces will help them last for years.
At Linen Fawn, our linen-blend fabrics are designed to be easier to care for than traditional linen - they're softer, resist creases better, and are more forgiving. However, following the right care routine will keep your pieces looking their best.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about washing, drying, ironing, and storing your linen clothing, plus answer common questions about linen care.
Understanding Linen Fabric
Linen is a sustainable, exceptionally durable, and hypoallergenic natural fiber derived from the flax plant. It is known for being highly breathable, absorbent and fast-drying. It feels cool, gets softer with use, and is perfect for hot weather. However, it wrinkles easily and may shrink slightly.
A linen-cotton blend combines the strength and breathability of linen with the softness and reduced wrinkling of cotton, resulting in a durable, comfortable, and versatile fabric ideal for hot, humid weather. This is the linen blend we choose for our pieces at Linen Fawn.
Washing Your Linen Clothing
Before the First Wash:
Wash your dark and light coloured clothings separately, especially on your first wash. Some dark or rich coloured dyes can bleed on the first wash, so you may want to rinse them to remove excess dye before washing.
Machine Washing:
- Water temperature (cold/30°C)
- Gentle cycle is recommended
- Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals
- Turn garments inside out to help protect the color and texture of the outer fabric
- Use mesh laundry bag to avoid friction with other garments
- Do not overload the machine
Hand Washing (optional):
- When to hand wash
- How to hand wash linen
- Gentle agitation
Drying Your Linen Pieces
As soon as the washing cycle ends, take the clothes out immediately to minimize deep wrinkles.
Shake out wrinkles while the clothes are still damp. Line drying or laying the garment flat to air dry is best to avoid shrinkage. Avoid drying in direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Do not tumble dry.
Ironing & Removing Wrinkles
Iron while slightly damp or use a spray bottle to mist the garment. Dampening 5-10 minutes before ironing helps the fibers relax. Iron on the reverse side (inside out) for delicate pieces to avoid shiny spots. A pressing cloth can be used for extra protection.
Alternatively, using a handheld steamer is a great, safer alternative for removing wrinkles from linen blends.
Hang immediately after ironing to prevent new wrinkles from forming
Storing Your Linen Clothing
Never store damp linen, as this leads to mildew and odors. Ensure clothes are freshly laundered and 100% dry. Do not spray perfume directly on the garments, as this can cause staining during long-term storage.
For short-term storage, hang linen clothings or fold them if it's heavier to avoid stretching.
For long-term storage, store clothes in breathable bags, such as cotton, linen, or muslin, to allow air circulation. Avoid sealing linen-cotton blends in plastic bags or containers, which can trap moisture and cause yellowing or mold. Store clothing in cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight. If storing for an entire season, take the clothes out every few months to air them out and prevent permanent, deep creases.
Common Linen Care Mistakes to Avoid
❌ High-Heat Washing: Can cause shrinkage and fiber damage
❌Using Fabric Softener: Softeners coat the natural fibers, reducing their breathability and breaking them down over time.
❌Overloading the Washer: Overloading causes excessive wrinkles and prevents thorough cleaning.
❌Using Bleach: Harsh chemicals weaken the fibers and can turn white linen yellow.
❌Storing Damp Linen: Linen must be completely dry before storage to prevent mould and mildew growth.
❌Ignoring Care Labels: Not all linens are treated the same; ignoring instructions can lead to fading and damage.
❌Over-Ironing: Linen is meant to look natural; high-heat ironing can damage the fibers when ironing on completely dry fabric
❌Wringing Out Wet Linen: Excessive twisting can break or damage delicate linen fibers.
Stain Removal
To remove stains from a linen-cotton blend, immendiately dab (do not rub) with cold water and treat with mild dish soap or enzyme-based detergent for 15-30 minutes before washing. For stubborn stains, use a paste of baking soda and water. Avoid hot water on protein stains (blood, sweat) to prevent setting.
Why Linen Fawn's Linen-Blend is Easier to Care For
The linen-cotton blend fabric that we use for our clothings is:
- Soft and non-prickly
- Resists creases better than traditional linen
- Easy to iron out wrinkles
- Maintains shape and color well
- Perfect for busy families
Quick Reference:
✅ Wash: Cold/lukewarm water, gentle cycle
✅ Dry: Air dry
✅ Iron: Low to Medium-high heat while damp
✅ Store: Cool, dry place
❌ Avoid: Hot water, harsh detergents, over-drying, high-heat ironing
Caring for your linen clothing doesn't have to be complicated. With these simple tips, your Linen Fawn pieces will stay soft, beautiful, and comfortable for years to come.
Our linen-blend fabrics are designed with busy families in mind, making care easier while maintaining the natural beauty and breathability of linen. Whether you're wearing your SAND Mira Dress for a special occasion or your MOSS Isla Dress for casual day out, proper care will keep them looking their best.
Have questions about caring for your specific Linen Fawn pieces? Feel free to reach out to us at hello@linenfawn.com - we're always happy to help!
Shop our collection of easy-care linen pieces for the whole family here.