Quick answer
Wash linen in cool or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, avoid chlorine bleach, and dry it flat or on a hanger until slightly damp. Iron it while still a little damp on a medium-hot setting. Store it clean, dry and loosely folded in breathable covers.
Key takeaways
- Linen gets softer with washing when it is treated gently.
- Use cool or lukewarm water and mild detergent; skip chlorine bleach.
- Do not over-dry: iron while slightly damp for the crispest finish.
- Store in breathable cotton covers, not plastic.
- Embroidered or structured linen is best dry cleaned.
Washing linen
- Wash in cool or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle.
- Use a mild detergent and do not overload the machine, so linen can move freely.
- Avoid chlorine bleach, which weakens linen fibres. Read why in our bleach guide.
Drying and ironing
Hang linen on a padded hanger or dry it flat in shade until it is just slightly damp. Iron on a medium-hot setting while damp, or use steam. For a soft relaxed look, smooth and hang it instead of ironing.
Storing linen
Store linen clean and fully dry, loosely folded or hung, in breathable cotton covers. Plastic traps moisture and can cause yellowing and mildew, especially in the monsoon.
Professional care
Linen suits, embroidered kurtas and linen sarees keep their shape best with professional cleaning and form finishing. Our plant uses Veit and Macpi finishers for a crisp result. See steam ironing and dry cleaning.
