How to wash and care for linen
Linen bedding, made from 100% stonewashed linen, provides comfort and elegance, making it a great long-term investment. To ensure your linen bedding retains its natural beauty for years to come, simply follow a few simple washing and care instructions.
Check the label. Make sure you know what fabric you're washing.
Before washing linen bedding, check the manufacturer's label to know what kind of fabric you are dealing with.
100% linen bedding is easier to care for than you think
Linen is a natural fabric with predictable properties. It is durable, breathable, and wicks moisture well. With each wash, linen becomes softer, shrinks less, and retains its properties for a long time.
If your bedding is stonewashed, like Malua linen bedding, you are guaranteed that the fabric has been stabilized, meaning it will not shrink and its natural softness will be retained.
Be careful with linen mixed with other fibers
In the case of blended fabrics, such as linen with a blend of cotton, viscose, polyester, or polyamide, their washing behavior can be less predictable, even though the texture of the blended fabric is very similar to that of linen.
Blended fabrics may shrink or lose their breathability at different rates, so 100% linen ensures easy care and keeps the fabric in top condition.
Washing linen bedding is easy to care for and ensures lasting softness.
We recommend washing linen bedding before first use.
Although our linen bedding is made in professional conditions in Portugal and stored in a clean warehouse in Poland, remember that the bedding is in contact with the body throughout the night.
Furthermore, the stonewashing process causes the fabric to shed a little dust. This dust tends to accumulate in the corners of the covers and disappear after the first wash.
So how to wash linen bedding for best results at home:
- Turn your linen sheet and pillowcases inside out. This will help protect them from damage during washing, ironing, and fading in the sun during drying. Close the zipper or buttons on your duvet cover or pillowcase.
- Use a gentle cycle: When washing linen bedding, select a wash program with a water temperature of up to 40°C and a medium spin. This will help maintain the fabric's softness and prevent excessive wear and tear and creasing. Water temperatures above 40°C can damage the linen fibers.
- Choose a mild detergent: Use a mild, eco-friendly detergent without acids, bleaches, or fabric softeners, as these can weaken linen fibers and shorten their lifespan.
- Avoid overloading your washing machine: Don't overload your washing machine. If your washing machine has a smaller drum, you may need to wash your duvet cover and linen sheet separately. Giving your linen enough room to move during the wash will prevent excessive wrinkling and tangling. Your linen sheets will wash better.
How often to wash?
Of course, it is generally recommended to wash linen bedding once a week, although washing frequency may vary depending on individual needs, such as personal hygiene, activity level, and the presence of allergies or skin sensitivities.
Of course, it is generally recommended to wash linen bedding once a week, although washing frequency may vary depending on individual needs, such as personal hygiene, activity level, and the presence of allergies or skin sensitivities.
Gentle washing will help maintain the softness and quality of your linen bedding.
Drying linen bedding. Air-drying is best for natural freshness.
When it comes to drying linen bedding, the preferred method is to hang it outdoors, avoiding direct sunlight. Alternatively, you can dry it in a well-ventilated area, such as a drying room, attic, or tumble dryer.
So how do you best do it? Below, we explain step by step:
- Shake: Before hanging your bedding to dry, gently shake it to remove excess water and straighten out any creases that may have occurred during washing.
- Line or rack drying: Hang linen bedding on a line or rack. Make sure the bedding is evenly distributed. It shouldn't be wrinkled or folded.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Linen bedding is relatively fade-resistant. However, it's best to dry it in a shaded area to minimize the risk of color fading. Turning pillowcases inside out will help preserve the color.
- Tumble dry on a low setting: If air drying isn't an option, you can tumble dry on a low setting. Be sure to remove bedding quickly to minimize the risk of creasing and over-drying.
There's no denying it – linen bedding wrinkles easily, but fortunately, that's part of its charm!
Air-drying linen bedding will help maintain its freshness and minimize wrinkles. Thanks to the loose weave of linen fibers, linen bedding dries quickly.
Ironing Linen Bedding: Is It Worth It?
One of the advantages of linen bedding is its naturally wrinkled appearance, which gives it a unique character.
Therefore, ironing linen bedding isn't necessary. If you want a more elegant, smooth look, here are some tips on how to do it best:
- Iron when the bedding is slightly damp: For best results, iron linen bedding while it's still slightly damp. This will help remove wrinkles and achieve the desired smooth finish. You can also moisten the bedding with steam or a water mist. This treatment will certainly make ironing easier. A steam iron or a steam iron are ideal for this purpose.
- Set the iron to a medium temperature: Set the iron to a medium temperature of up to 110°C.
- Iron inside out: To keep the fabric soft and protect its color, iron linen bedding inside out.
Enjoy the natural look and skip the ironing. Spend this time doing something you enjoy.
In summary, caring for linen bedding at home is simple.
Fortunately, washing and caring for linen bedding at home is easy.
By following the above tips and tricks for washing, drying, and ironing linen bedding, you will enjoy its comfort, style, and durability for many years.
Proper care will not only help maintain the quality of your linen investment, but also improve the quality of your sleep.
*Post created based on information obtained from our bedding manufacturer from Portugal.