How to Wash Linen the Right Way, According to Laundry Experts

Linen is a light and breezy material made from the fiber of flax plants. It can be used to make anything from blouses and pants to sheets and pillowcases. Linen is perfect for those struggling to stay cool in warmer climates and is more lightweight than cotton.

But don’t let the easy-breezy diversity of uses for linen fool you—this fabric requires its own special washing routine to keep it looking (and feeling) its best! We spoke with laundry care experts to learn the right way to wash linen to keep it fresh, clean, and soft.

Materials You’ll Need

• A mesh garment bag 
• A stain pretreatment for spots and spills 
• A deep cleaning, stain-fighting everyday detergent for machine washing, or a specialty wash for hand washing more sensitive linen items 
• A fabric steamer or iron for removing wrinkles from linen (if desired) 

Instructions

Before you do anything, both pros we spoke with said your very first step has to be to check the tag on your garment for the washing instructions. From there, you can choose which of these methods will work best for your items. 

Step 1: Pretreat Any Stains

Before you get started, you’ll want to prep and pretreat your linen fabrics. "Start by pretreating any stains on your linen item with your stain treatment of choice," says Hannah Yokoji, head of marketing for The Laundress. While she recommends the Stain Solution from The Laundress, you can use a variety of products to address any hard-to-treat messes. "Always test in an inconspicuous spot first before applying to stains,” she says, adding that you should focus on areas prone to staining and buildup from sweat and dirt, such as underarms, necklines, cuffs, and hems. 

Step 2: Hand or Machine Wash 

Depending on the instructions on the label, you’ll want to decide whether you’ll toss the linens in the wash or clean them by hand. "Linen can be hand or machine-washed depending on your preference and the garment's construction," Yokoji says. "Delicate linen items, like vintage napkins or a blouse with buttons, should be hand washed, while more durable linen fabrics, like bedding, can be machine laundered." 

How to Hand Wash Linen

1. Fill a basin or sink with tepid water and add a gentle hand-washing solution.
2. Agitate the water with your hands to evenly distribute the soap and add your linen item.
3. Let soak for up to 30 minutes, then rinse. 
4. Do not wring or twist the linen. Instead, simply press against the side of the basin or sink to remove excess water.

How to Machine Wash Linen

"If the garment is machine washable, you should get a mesh bag for the item," says Kim Romine, P&G fabric care scientist, since this will prevent the delicate fabric from getting pulled or from pilling up by rubbing up against other fabrics in the wash. "Avoid washing with things like jeans, which can cause friction in the wash cycle," she continues, adding that she prefers using cold water for her linens.

1. Add the appropriate amount of your preferred detergent.
2. Place the item in the mesh bag and then in the washing machine with other soft and non-scratchy items.
3. Select a cold setting and normal spin cycle.
4. Remove promptly from the machine and shake out after washing to help reduce wrinkling.

How to Dry Linen

If the item is machine dryable, you can tumble dry according to the instructions, says Romine. "It’s best to use a medium heat setting and avoid over-drying to help prevent fabric damage," she says. 

"You can also line dry linen, which is the recommended method for any delicate linen garments," Yokoji says, adding that you can eliminate the need to iron or steam your items if you remove them from the dryer while they’re still slightly damp. 

How Often Should You Wash Linen?

Like other items, Romine says linen should be laundered after each wear since the human body produces sweat, sebum, salt, and skin cells. "All these body soils can transfer to your items and cause dinginess and odors over time. Laundering after each wear with a high-quality detergent will keep the garment clean and fresh." For this reason, Romine recommends using something like Tide, which will not only get clothes clean but should also help prevent color loss. 

Sheets and pillowcases should be laundered weekly, according to Yokoji, who says that other linens, like napkins, can be laundered as needed.  

Tips for Washing Linen

There are a few things to keep in mind when washing linen clothing and bedding, according to our experts.

Use Cold Water

Generally, washing on cold water is the best option, according to Yokoji, who says this will help preserve the fit and finish of your garments.

Avoid Bleach

"We recommend avoiding the use of bleach on linen, as it may permanently change the color of the garment," says Yokoji.

Always Check the Tags

She also reinforces the importance of checking the tags before getting started. "Items tagged 'dry clean' can sometimes be laundered using [a product like] Delicate Wash, while items tagged 'dry clean only' are better left to the professionals," she says. "Always test delicate linen clothing in an inconspicuous spot before laundering to ensure washability."

Hand Wash If Unsure

And if you’re not sure, hand washing is always the safest way to go. "Always opt to hand launder items with special buttons, embroidery, or other embellishments," says
Yokoji.