How To Wash Linen Sheets

  • Linen is known for exceptional sturdiness, durability, and high-quality.
  • Organic and eco-friendly linen material is widely used in the textile industry – bedding sets are one of the most popular products among them.
  • People choose linen sheets not only because they are very high-quality, but also because they are breathable and very comfortable.
  • To take the most of your natural linen sheets, we will reveal to you some very important and effective tips on how to wash the linen sheets and take care of them in general.

First of all, let me tell you that choosing the natural linen bedding is probably one of the smartest decisions you can make while choosing your bedding. Being a purely natural fiber, linen is a natural, organic, and therefore extremely durable material. Duvet covers, linen sheets, pillowcases made of linen are very breathable, therefore they wick the moisture away and make your sleep very comfortable.

To help you maintain your linen bedding and take all the advantages of it, take a look and keep in mind some general basic rules about washing linen. No need to worry – they are easy as ABC!

WASHING LINEN

There are basically 3 ways of washing the linen sheets: at the dry cleaner’s, in the washing machine or simply washed by hands.

  • Use only mild laundry detergents. The best cleaning solutions for the linen are mild detergent or soap and a great amount of warm or cold water.
  • Be careful with the bleach. Whitening detergent could be used only for white linen.
  • Separate the linen from another laundry. First time washing linen in the washing machine? Put it separately from any other laundry, set the temperature of 30°C, and make sure not to use any bleaching solutions. (I hope you remember not to mix the dark and light clothes together?)
  • Do not overheat the water. Water temperature for white linen fabrics can be up to 95°C, and for colored ones – up to 60°C (you don’t have to learn this by heart, simply follow the washing instructions of the items you wash).

TIP: When washing linen in the washing machine, make sure there is enough space for the linen sheets to move freely, don’ overload it. You don’t want it to become stripped, do you?

Stains on the linen fabrics are not a tragedy if they are noticed immediately (at least within a few hours). If not – chill out, we’ve got a cleaning solution to almost any possible stain! Let’s do this:

Candle wax. First of all, remove the wax from the sheet as much as possible. Then, cover the remaining stains with a napkin and iron it until the stains disappear (just a piece of tiny advice – do not light the candles in bed. It would be a shame if your fancy linen bedding set would go on fire).

Sugary drink. First, hand-wash the linen sheet with the cold water. After that, simply put in the washing machine as usual.

Mud. First, pre-wash the dirty sheets only with the warm water and the stain remover. Afterward – run the regular washing cycle!

Grass. Well, in this case, you will not get away without bleach. Bleach and washing machine should do a trick (for white linen fabrics only!)

Chocolate. First, pre-wash the sheets with the warm water and the stain remover only. Then, wash it under a regular washing cycle.

Blood. Soak the linen sheets in the cold water for a while. Then – simply wash it in the washing machine.

Makeup. Rub the stains with a piece of soap or apply some stain remover. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then put everything in the washing machine.

Grease. Apply the stain with a stain remover generously. Then – move it to the washing machine!

TIP: In case the water in which you wash your linen items is limed, it is highly recommended to add some fabric softener, especially for the darker fabrics. 

DRYING LINEN

The 2 most popular ways to dry your linen sheets are natural air-drying in the fresh (or not fresh) air or mechanical drying in the dryer.

Drying linen sheets in the dryer

If you choose to simply drop the linen sheets in the dryer, make sure to set the right temperature. Medium or low heat temperature is the most suitable in this case as linen dries really fast!

Air-drying linen sheets naturally

If you choose to air-dry your sheets, keep in mind a few things:

  • Linen dries super fast. That’s why make sure they are still at least slightly damp when you hang them. If the sheets dry out completely before they are hanged, it can be very difficult to iron them later.
  • No spinning. Do not spin the laundry in the washing machine before drying them to prevent creasing.
  • No direct sunlight. Direct sunlight is not recommended to dry linen sheets.

IRONING LINEN

One of the few disadvantages that linen fabric has is that it really tends to crease quickly. On the flip side of the coin – it is very easy to iron (of course, if you know some tips):

  • Leave the sheets damp. Linen sheets are best to iron when they are still slightly damp. 
  • Are linen sheets already dry? Then simply dampen them with some clean water before ironing. 
  • Let the linen sheets dry up completely. After the ironing process, leave the linen sheets slightly damp and hang them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area so that they could air-dry themselves completely. 
  • Do not burn your linen sheets. The maximum ironing temperature is 200°C.

TIP: Iron the linen sheets inside-out of the fabric to prevent the linen surface from becoming smooth, glossy, and discolored.

STORING LINEN

Plastic bags and carton boxes are not the best choices to store linen fabrics. It is recommended to use special clothes bags instead (for example fabric ones). The best place to store the linen sheets is a dry and well-ventilated area.

Summing up, the natural linen bedding set is indeed one of the greatest investments in the quality of your sleep. Now that you also know how easy it is to wash, dry, iron, and store the linen fabrics – you should definitely consider getting yourself a cute and comfy linen bedding set!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sure thing! However, keep in mind that water temperature for white linen fabrics can be up to 95°C, and for colored ones - up to 60°C only. In short - simply follow the washing instructions of the clothes carefully!
No. The linen tends to shrink, therefore clothes should be washed only in warm or cold water.
Make sure to wash it separately from any other laundry, set the temperature of 30°C and do not use any bleaching solutions.
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Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! 🙂

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