Jak pečovat o lněné oblečení

How to care for linen clothes

Linen clothing is gaining more and more popularity due to its natural appearance, lightness and unique properties. Linen is durable, breathable and gets softer with every wash , making it an ideal choice for everyday wear and special occasions. However, in order for linen clothing to remain beautiful and functional for a long time, it requires specific care that respects the natural properties of this material.

In this article, we will advise you how to properly wash, dry, iron and store linen pieces so that they serve you as long as possible and look as beautiful next season as they did at the beginning of this year. We'll cover everything from basic washing rules to gentle drying to ironing and storage tips. You can find the basics of linen wardrobe care right here.

How to wash linen clothes?

  • Wash as needed
    Although linen handles washing better than most natural materials, avoid washing unnecessarily often. This can cause unnecessary wear on the fibers. If possible, try to spot clean stains instead of washing.
  • Hand wash
    To extend the life of linen clothes, it is best to wash them by hand. This is the gentlest way to clean linen clothes. Use lukewarm water that is no more than 30°C and add a small amount of mild soap or liquid detergent designed for delicate clothes. Turn the garment inside out, submerge and leave it in the water overnight to soak away the dirt. When washing, avoid intense rubbing or squeezing, which could damage the fabric. After washing the clothes, rinse gently with cold water until all traces of detergent are gone. Instead of wringing, gently squeeze out the water and spread the clothes loosely on a towel to absorb the water, or let them drip on the dryer.
  • Washing in an automatic washing machine
    To wash linen clothes in the washing machine, choose a gentle program, ideally with a temperature of up to 30°C, to prevent the fibers from collapsing. The program for delicates is usually shorter (e.g. 30-45 minutes) and the appropriate spin speed is a maximum of 600, which is sufficient to remove water without unnecessary wrinkling. Turn clothes inside out before washing. Avoid washing linen with other types of fabric, especially those that contain sharp zippers or Velcro - these could damage or tear the delicate fibers.
  • What detergents to use for linen?
    For lightly soiled laundry, use natural soap or gel made from soap flakes. Another option is special linen products. It is important to use gentle detergents without aggressive chemicals, perfumes and dyes. Do not use fabric softener, bleaching agents, or washing powders containing enzymes, which can damage the structure of natural fibers.
Tip: See the detailed procedure for washing linen clothes?

    How to dry linen clothes?

    Dry in the fresh air

    The best way to dry linen is to air dry naturally. After washing, you should wring the clothes gently, ideally either by hand or on low speed in the washing machine (max 600) to avoid excessive wrinkling. Once the laundry is wrung out, shake it out with your hands and straighten it to have as few creases as possible. Then hang the laundry on a line using gentle pegs that do not leave bruises, or lay it flat on the dryer. If you are hanging your laundry, avoid folding it, as this can lead to unwanted sharp lines in the fabric. More complex cuts of clothing (dresses) have proven to be dried on a wide hanger. The more massive the hanger, the less marks it will leave on the clothes.

    It is best to dry the laundry in a well-ventilated area, ideally outside , but in the shade to prevent it from fading in direct sunlight. If you must dry indoors, place the dryer near an open window to speed up the drying process.

    If you want to speed up the process, ensure the best possible draft. Is it not blowing? Use the fan and speed up the drying of the clothes on the dryer.

    In order to prevent the laundry from wrinkling too much, it is recommended to take it off when it is still slightly damp . Such clothes are much easier to iron.

    Tumble dry

    A dryer is not an ideal solution and we do not recommend this procedure for linen products. The hot air in the dryer causes the fibers to weaken and break, which can be seen, for example, in the accumulated dust in the filter of the dryer. Another disadvantage is that linen tends to shrink, wrinkle and pill more significantly in the dryer. If you still want to dry your clothes in the dryer, set the temperature as low as possible and a gentle program. It is always best to remove the laundry while it is still damp and iron it immediately. Without ironing, it will definitely not work in the case of a dryer. Although a dryer can save time, air drying is much gentler on linen and helps preserve its natural quality and appearance.

    Ironing linen clothes

    Linen clothing has a natural texture that retains the slightly crumpled appearance that is one of its hallmarks. For many people, this texture is part of the appeal of linen. If you learn how to dry your clothes properly, you will often not need to iron your clothes. From the practical experience of our customers, a lot depends on the specific type of product and its cut. Simple cuts of skirts, trousers or shorts do not need to be ironed after every wash. More complex cuts of dresses or blouses with double material, hems or edging must always be ironed. The material in these places dries unevenly and becomes wrinkled.

    However, if you want your linen clothes to look perfectly smooth, or if the laundry needs to be modified for a special occasion, ironing is necessary.

    Iron the laundry from the wrong side . This method prevents the creation of an unwanted shine on the fabric.

    Linen is best ironed when it is still damp. It is ideal to iron at a medium or high temperature. Always set the iron to the steam function. If the laundry is dry, you must moisten it before ironing. Ironing damp linen will help you easily remove all wrinkles and ensure that the clothes are not too hard or too dry.

    Storage of linen clothes

    Proper storage of linen clothing is key to maintaining its shape. With proper storage, you can easily prevent unnecessary wrinkling, fiber damage or permanent deformation.

    • For dresses, boleros and blouses, hanging on wide, padded hangers is the best choice. These help keep the shape of the clothes and prevent the formation of folds on the shoulders.
    • For skirts and trousers, it is recommended to hang them on hangers that have the option of attaching them to the waist with wide clips. This also prevents the pants from folding, which would require new ironing before use.
    • T-shirts and light tops are ideal for folding in a closet or drawer. Keep them folded to avoid unnecessary wrinkling. Fold them straight, without sharp bends, and make sure not to put too much pressure on them.
    Some of our customers recommend a folding method in which the T-shirt is not folded, but rolled into a ball. We haven't tried this in practice, but as an idea to prevent marks after folding the fabric, it sounds interesting. Have you tried it?

     

    Try care for Czech linen clothes: