Our beautiful 100% linen bedding is a little different from cotton, and we think that’s what makes it so special. Linen is a fabulous fabric made from the long fibres of the flax plant stem, and to get the very best from it, it needs to be treated with a little bit of love and care.
All About Linen Bedding
Linen is a hardy and simple fabric to look after, but how it is laundered and dried can change its touch dramatically. Unlike cotton, linen can absorb a fair amount of moisture without feeling damp on your skin, which makes it a brilliant choice for bed linen, especially during warm weather.
We don’t talk about thread counts when it comes to linen, as the threads are naturally thicker than cotton. We have, however, selected a heavier weight (165gsm) for longevity and that lovely, reassuring feel.
You may see 'slubs' in the fabric of your new linen; this is completely normal and a charming part of its natural, rustic character. As each piece is finished before it is laundered, you might find the odd bit of fluff inside. This, again, is completely normal and should be gone with the first wash.
Your linen bedding will get softer and softer over time and with every wash. We've tried lots of washing and drying with our fabrics and have the following tips...
How to Wash and Dry Your Linen Bedding
If you like your bed linen to be super buttery soft, we recommend a cool wash with fabric softener; 30 degrees should be ample, but 40 will be just fine too on a gentle setting. You can wash linen on very high temperatures, but this can make it feel stiffer when dried.
Remember to separate lights from darker colours so you don't get any colour transfer across your bed linen. Please be careful when choosing your laundry detergent to make sure that there are no 'optic whiteners' or other bleaching agents that can cause colour loss.
Because linen holds a lot of water, we recommend giving it an extra spin to remove as much as possible. This will help remove any minerals that might affect the feel and will also reduce the drying time. To dry, tumble dry on a cooler temperature or line dry. These steps will keep it wonderfully soft.
If you prefer your linen bedding to be stiffer, washing it as normal without a softener and drying it flat or on a line will give it a lovely crisp feel. It will get softer as you sleep in it though.
To Iron, or Not to Iron Your Linen Bedding?
Ironing? Well, one of the best things about 100% linen bedding is that you don’t need to iron it. Hooray! The idea is that it has a tumbled, relaxed look, so unless it has become really crumpled in the dryer, you can throw it straight on the bed and jump in.
If you would like to give it a quick press, perhaps you love ironing or are after a smarter look, use a medium-hot iron. It's best to iron darker-coloured linens (like our French Blue or Charcoal) on the reverse while they're still a little damp to avoid creating shiny patches.
If you have direct sunshine in your room, try to rotate your dark coloured linen so that it doesn’t fade in one place.
We are constantly learning and trying to improve our advice on washing and caring for our bed linen. If you have an experience or a tip that we can share, we would love to hear from you.
Most importantly, enjoy it; snooze and revel in this unique, wonderful fabric.
Still tossing and turning over which fabric is best for you? Then read our article - The Luxury of Cotton or The Laziness of Linen: What to Choose?
We are constantly learning and trying to improve our advice on washing and caring for our bed linen. If you have an experience, or a tip that we can share, we would love to hear from you. You can e-mail molly@secretlinenstore.com, so we can share your expertise and and learn from you too.
Most importantly, enjoy it; snooze and revel in these unique wonderful fabrics.
Still tossing and turning over which fabric is best for you? Then read our article - The Luxury of Cotton or The Laziness of Linen: What to Choose?
Explore Our Lovely Linen Bedding
