Linen is the most beautiful material of the summer – cool, breathable and beautiful. But it also has a reputation for being tricky: shrinking, stretching or wrinkling. The truth is that wash linen is easy as long as you know a few basic rules, and then your linen garments will stay beautiful for many years.
In this guide, we'll go over how to prepare your laundry, wash and dry linen correctly, remove wrinkles and stains, and care for viscose and cotton. Below, we'll answer the most frequently asked questions.
Content
- Prepare the laundry
- How to wash linen in the machine
- Remove stains
- Dry linen correctly
- Remove wrinkles
- Care instructions for viscose and cotton
- Store linen
- Take care of your summer dresses
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Prepare the laundry
A good wash starts before the machine even starts. Always read the washing instructions on the garment label first, and sort the linen by color and material so that nothing bleeds. New linen items should be washed separately the first few times, as they can shed fibers. Turn the garment inside out and fasten any buttons. If you have stubborn stains or obvious creases, you can soak the garment in lukewarm water for 20–30 minutes before washing. Do not fill the machine completely – linen needs room to move freely, otherwise the fabric will twist and stretch, causing it to lose its shape.
How to wash linen in the machine
Linen can actually withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees, but that doesn't mean you should wash at that high of a temperature. Lower temperatures preserve the color, fibers, and shine – and are also kinder to the environment. Follow these basic rules:
- Temperature: 30–40 degrees is plenty with modern machines and detergents.
- Program: Choose a gentle program with a generous amount of water.
- Detergent: Use a mild detergent without bleach – chlorine bleach weakens and yellows the fibers.
- No fabric softener: It can form a film on the fibers.
- Low spin: reduce the speed, or skip the spin cycle altogether.
Also keep in mind that linen is partially self-cleaning and repels dirt, so it doesn't need to be washed after every use. Airing the garment outside is often enough.
Remove stains
The most important thing with stains is to deal with them as soon as possible, before they dry in. Start with cold or lukewarm water and gently massage in a little mild soap or washing-up liquid without rubbing too hard. Leave it to work for a while and then rinse. For stubborn stains like red wine, you can soak the garment in cold water for a while to open up the fibers. Avoid strong stain removers – they are often too aggressive for linen.
Dry linen correctly
How you dry your linen affects both the fit and appearance. The golden rule: always air dry. Hang the garment on a wide hanger or lay it flat, and gently stretch it out while it is still damp so that it retains its shape. Dry in the shade, as direct sunlight can fade the color. Avoid the dryer at all costs – the heat can shrink the linen, make the fibers brittle and actually increase wrinkling. Linen may feel a little stiff after drying, but it softens as soon as it comes into contact with the skin again.
Remove wrinkles
Linen naturally wrinkles – it’s part of the material’s relaxed charm. But if you want a smoother surface, there are several tricks. The most gentle way is to steam the garment with a steamer: It is faster and gentler than an iron and preserves the fibers better.If you prefer to iron, iron the linen while it is still slightly damp, on linen heat (usually the highest temperature) and preferably inside out. A simple travel tip is to hang the garment in the bathroom while you shower – the steam will smooth out the creases. And remember: the less you iron, the less the garment will wrinkle over time. The Housewife's Tip has more advice if you want to delve deeper.
Care instructions for viscose and cotton
Many summer dresses are made of viscose or a linen-viscose blend, and viscose is cared for in much the same way as linen: wash gently at a low temperature with mild detergent, avoid hard spinning and tumble drying, and dry flat as viscose can both stretch and shrink. Cotton is more durable and can usually be machine washed without any problems, but wash cool here too to avoid shrinkage. If you want to read more about the properties of the materials, we have a whole guide on best material for summer dress.
Store linen
Proper storage keeps linen looking good for longer. Hang garments on wide hangers so they retain their shape at the shoulders, or roll them up instead of folding them – this will avoid creases in the fibers. Varying the folding method from time to time will reduce the risk of permanent marks. Store linen in a dark and dry place, preferably in a fabric cover, to protect it from light and moisture.
Take care of your summer dresses
With the right care, your airy summer dresses will last for many summers. If you are looking for a new favorite in linen or viscose, our floral maxi dress a cool and summery choice. Explore the full range among our women's dresses – with free shipping within Sweden.
Frequently asked questions
How do you wash linen?
Wash linen on a gentle cycle at 30–40 degrees with a mild detergent without bleach, without fabric softener and with a low spin cycle. Turn the garment inside out and do not fill the machine completely.
What temperature should you wash linen at?
30–40 degrees is sufficient with modern machines and detergents. Linen can withstand up to 60 degrees, but lower temperatures preserve color, fibers and shine better.
Can linen be tumble dried?
This is not recommended. Heat can shrink linen, make fibers brittle, and increase wrinkling. Instead, air dry flat or on a wide hanger.
How do you remove wrinkles from linen?
Steam the garment with a steamer for the most gentle results, or iron it slightly damp on a linen heat setting, preferably inside out. Hanging the garment in bathroom steam while you shower also works.
Does linen shrink in the wash?
Linen can shrink if washed too hot. Most linen garments are pre-washed blends that shrink minimally, but still wash cool to be on the safe side.
Do you have to iron linen?
No. The naturally slightly wrinkled surface is part of the charm of linen, and the less you iron, the less wrinkles the garment will have over time. If you want it smooth, steaming is a gentle alternative.
Summary
Washing linen is easy with a few basic rules: gentle program at 30–40 degrees, mild detergent without bleach or fabric softener, low spin speed and always air dry. Treat stains immediately, steam out wrinkles instead of ironing hard, and store garments hanging or rolled. This will keep your linen and viscose dresses cool and beautiful summer after summer.
Ready to stock up on your wardrobe? Explore our women's dresses.
