Caring for linen items is easy and in fact — linen gets softer and better with age and use.
We often get questions about how to care for linen products. We get it, there seems to be a lot of misconceptions about how to care for this material, so let us help you out!
Please note that it's always important to check the fabric content and care instructions on each specific piece! This is a guide on how to care for your linen pieces from our brand specifically, but can be generally applied to other linen products. Let’s delve into the art of linen care and discover how to wash linen clothes.
How to Wash & Care for Linen Clothing: Your Complete Guide
Linen, with its timeless elegance and effortless style, has been a staple in wardrobes for centuries. As the go-to fabric for Cedar & Vine’s exquisite women’s garments, it’s essential to understand the best practices for washing and caring for your linen clothing to ensure its longevity and beauty.
Understanding Linen
Linen is derived from the flax plant and is known for its ability to regulate body temperature, making it perfect for all seasons. Its natural fibres are designed to soften over time, enhancing the texture and comfort of your garments with each wash. Unlike delicate fabrics that require special care, our pre-washed linen items are designed to be low-maintenance, reflecting the strength and resilience of the material.
Washing Your Linen
When it comes to how to wash linen clothes, simplicity is key. Our linen items can be hand or machine washed. You can wash your linen pieces with other like-weighted items; separated into the appropriate color loads. We recommend washing in a cold or low-temperature on a gentle cycle.
Nearly all of our products are pre-washed to help prevent additional shrinkage and to kickstart the softening process. With that being said we recommend dry cleaning your linen items if they are a more tailored garment like our lined Jackets and Coats as they have not been pre-washed. The linen would shrink at a different rate than the cotton lining.
Choosing the Right Detergent
Avoid detergents with harsh chemicals, and never use bleach as it can weaken the fibers and cause discoloration. Fabric softeners are unnecessary for linen, as the material naturally softens with regular washing.
Ironing & Steaming
This is a personal choice. High quality linen is wrinkly; and that is part of its natural beauty and charm. So embrace it! However if you are really wanting an item pressed — use an iron on medium heat with a steam function, or while it's still damp from washing, and iron from the reverse side. Garment steamers are also great for giving linen a pristine look.
We also love using the easy steamy shower hack. Hang your item in the bathroom while you run a shower and the steam will help soften wrinkles. We find this trick especially useful when travelling! (Or just when you don't want to pull an ironing board out.)
Drying Linen Clothes
For drying you have a few options — dryer, hang-to-dry, or laying flat on a towel. We personally love using the dryer on a low tumble setting as it helps soften the linen and won't get stiff, like when it has been hung to air-dry. Linen has excellent moisture absorbing properties, and therefore dries quite quickly. So it can be put on a shorter dry time than most expect. You can pop it out of the drier when it's still slightly damp to hang to dry and it will help minimize wrinkles.
Stain Removal and Care
Linen’s stain-resistant properties make it relatively easy to maintain, but it’s essential to tackle stains promptly and gently.
You can spot treat mishaps with a stain remover, just avoid products that contain bleach. We happened to come across our new favourite stain remover when we had a mishap in our studio. Blue dish soap is our go-to stain fighter! Just rub a bit of it into your stain and then throw in the wash.
Avoid soaking your linen for long, as prolonged exposure to detergents can weaken the fibres. For stubborn stains, a dab of dishwasher soap can work wonders without risking damage to your garment.
Reshaping and Storage
To maintain the original shape of your damp linen garments, gently reshape them before drying. Keep these pieces in a cool, dry environment shielded from sunlight to avoid fading and discolouration.
For optimal preservation, place your linens in specially designed bags made from breathable materials such as cotton, muslin, or canvas, which also provide protection from dust.
To store linen long term, find a dark and dry area with proper ventilation. Ottomans or under-bed compartments can suffice, as long as you keep linens away from dampness, as high humidity levels can induce mold, mildew growth, and cause musty odours, as well as yellowing or spotting on your sheets.
Ensure the chosen storage spot is free from any existing smells to prevent your linens from absorbing undesired scents. Combat potential odours by placing baking soda inside an uncovered vessel in the vicinity. Additionally, tools like moisture absorbers or silica gel can be instrumental in reducing ambient moisture when necessary.
Linen Spray
Our hack for keeping things fresh at home while forgoing the entire laundering cycle. Spritz to soften wrinkles on your garments and bed linens. Essential oils provide a comforting scent while antiseptic properties tackle bacteria.
This is also another great way to freshen up a suitcase full of natural fibres while travelling.
DIY Linen Spray
The quantities in this recipe are very general, and make for a fairly strong linen spray. You can water these ingredients down by doing two parts of water or tweak as desired. If we need to fill our linen spray bottle and happen to be out of fabric conditioner, we just use more water instead. A simple linen spray can even be made from just water and vodka if you are looking for a simple, scentless way to squash some wrinkles with humidity.
As for the essential oils — the three listed in our recipe are some of our favourites. Feel at liberty to use your own combination. There are many different lovely oil combos that will work. The quantity of drops used does not have to be exact and is more up to your personal preference. It also depends on how large of a bottle that you are filling. We suggest starting small, you can always add more drops if you want a stronger scent. If you don't have essential oils...no sweat! The linen spray will still be effective without the use of the essential oils.
If you decided to use a fabric conditioner in your recipe, be sure to go with a natural brand that isn't full of undesirable ingredients or opt to make your own!
RECIPE:
- 1/2 part vodka
- 1 part water
- 1/2 part vinegar
- 1/4 part fabric conditioner (optional)
- 30 drops lavender essential oil
- 30 drops lemon essential oil
- 25 drops cedar wood essential oil
DIRECTIONS:
- Add vodka and the essential oils in a spray bottle, and give it a shake. We recommend allowing the oils and vodka to sit for around 15 minutes so the scents have a chance to combine. Shake again.
- Add water, vinegar, and fabric condition (if desired). The quantities do not have to be exact.
- Cap the bottle and shake.
- Use the spray on any natural fibre as desired. Be sure to shake the bottle well before each use.
Explore Cedar & Vine’s Linen Collection
Discover Cedar & Vine’s exquisite selection of women’s linen garments, meticulously crafted to embody comfort, style, and sustainability. From breezy dresses to versatile separates, each piece invites you to embrace the effortless sophistication of linen in every outfit.
Learning how to clean linen clothes is not only essential for easily preserving their beauty but also an opportunity to embrace the timeless allure of linen and indulge in the unparalleled comfort and elegance it brings to your everyday wardrobe. With our simple steps and a gentle touch, you can ensure that your cherished pieces stand the test of time.