A linen apron is one of the most popular kitchen linen accessories found in almost every kitchen due to its functional and aesthetic properties. Used both by professional chefs and anyone who loves to cook, it is designed to cover the front and sometimes the sides and the back of the body to protect the clothing from splashes and spots. Aprons usually have one or several comfortable pockets for storing tools, a kitchen towel, or any handy items one might need while working. Apart from the kitchen, these functional garments are also used for many other purposes, like gardening, doing house chores, painting, pottery, and other crafts and activities where the clothing might be damaged by stains.
Although the use of apron dates back many centuries, this protective garment has not lost its popularity even to this day. Now, a linen apron is not only a handy item used to keep the clothing clean - it also became a modern and stylish kitchen accessory, available in many silhouettes, colors and is even decorated with prints and various embellishments. There are several main apron styles used today, some of which are a simple daily kitchen apron , a pinafore apron , a cross back apron , a chef apron , and a garçon apron . We will talk about each of these styles, later on, to introduce to you the main features and differences of these modern-day aprons. Also, with various interior design trends comes the need to color-coordinate not only kitchen tiles and cabinets but also the smaller details like kitchen linen. That is why you can find aprons in various solid colors, decorative prints, or classic checks and stripes.
But as beautiful as it may be, a good apron is still considered to be one, that is highly durable and easily washable. From grease to tomato sauce and eggs, many tasty things end up not only on your plate but also on your aprons (and luckily not on your clothes). Good thing linen is a strong natural fiber, that gets softer and better with every wash. For this and many other reasons which we will talk about later, linen is a perfect fabric for an apron. Also, there are several tips and tricks on how to keep your trusty linen sidekick in the best shape for many years to come.
So, read on to know everything about linen apron, from what makes linen an exceptional fabric to modern-day apron styles to a useful kitchen linen care guide to make your favorite linen accessory look just like new.
Why is the best kitchen linen made from… flax linen?
With various take-away and ready-made options, cooking at home is becoming more of a pleasure and a nice way to spend time with your loved ones, rather than a necessary house chore. However, from time to time you may end up with a serious mess in your kitchen and many splashes along the way. That is why choosing high-quality kitchen linen to protect your clothes and absorb or wipe any splatters can save you a lot of time and keep the cooking process hassle-free.
There are many reasons why linen should become your most trusted kitchen companion and why linen is so popular all over the world even when there is a wide variety of other fabrics available to us. So let’s discuss what it is about linen that makes it a perfect material for the kitchen as well as other home accessories.
Have you ever had an apron or a kitchen towel that loses its form and quality after only a couple of washes? This will not happen with linen. Holding the title of the strongest natural fiber known to us, flax linen is highly durable and can undertake many washing cycles. In fact, it gets even better and better with each wash as it becomes softer due to tiny breakages in the fibers. The more you wash your linen apron or kitchen cloths, the more homey and lived-in they become without losing their quality. So feel free to enjoy your favorite kitchen pieces every day, without the fear of ruining them.
Talking about washing, there is a widely spread misconception that linen requires special care. The truth is, it can be easily machine or hand washed in up to 40 oC / 100 oF water. Our kitchen aprons and kitchen towels get stained easily and quite a lot, especially during holiday cooking spree or a dinner party with friends. But thanks to the great properties of linen, you can wash them as often, as you want.
Whether it is beef bourguignon or blueberry lemon cheesecake that you are making, accidental spills are probably going to happen. And it is the worst thing to have a kitchen cloth with zero absorbency that only spreads the spill instead of soaking it in. Luckily, with linen, you won’t have this problem. Linen is a highly absorbent fabric, gifted with great moisture-wicking properties. This means that linen is fast to absorb moisture and will not take long to dry. For this reason, linen tea towels can be used a bit longer before they need washing when compared to cotton towels.
Another great and important reason to use linen in your kitchen is sustainability. Whether you strive to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle or simply value long-lasting and environmentally friendly things, linen textile is a great option to introduce to your kitchen. Due to durability and moisture-wicking properties, your kitchen linens are less prone to growing fungi or bacteria and can withstand constant washing, meaning they will last for many years without the need to be replaced with new items.
How to choose a linen apron that is best for you?
Did you know that a great-fitting apron is a step towards better cooking? You can either believe it or take it as a joke, we won’t mind. But a good apron is truly your number one item in the kitchen: it keeps you comfortable and gives you more confidence to experiment with food while your clothes are protected.
Read here how many different types of aprons there are! Looks like there shouldn’t be a problem to find a perfect fit, right? But you still find yourself wondering, how to choose a perfect linen apron when there is a whole variety of different shapes and forms out there? Well, the best starting point is to see what are the most popular apron styles. So let’s discuss them one by one to help you figure out which of them fits you and your needs the best.
The simple kitchen apron
Or as we call it, the daily apron. It is one of the most common styles, perfect for daily use in the kitchen or other activities that may require covering your clothes. This kitchen garment fully covers the front of the body and covers the sides just a bit. It usually has two ties that let you adjust the size at the waist. This apron is great for those who love to stick with the classics and serves as a great gift option as it is simple yet functional and beautiful at the same time.
Linen Chef apron
Sometimes also called a bib apron, this linen piece is quite similar to a simple daily apron. Often than not it features one or more roomy pockets for storing any items one might need to have at hand while cooking. Together with the long ties to regulate the waist size, this apron has an adjustable neck strap. It is usually a bit wider to fully cover the front, sides, and back of the body. As you can see by the coverage and adjustable details, this apron is designed to fit anyone but also is a perfect linen men apron that fulfills the need for a spacious, comfortable kitchen garment.
Linen Pinafore apron
Although often called a Japanese linen apron, this stylish and comfortable piece is popular in kitchens and beyond all over the world. Compared to other styles, this apron is unique in that it has no ties - you simply slip your hand and head through shoulder straps (similarly like you would put on a sleeveless shirt) et voilà! The shoulder straps cross in the back, keeping the garment securely on you. This kitchen accessory is great for those who really get their hands dirty and appreciates the hassle-free option without the ties. Because of the lovely and unique silhouette, the Pinafore apron is also a popular part of the uniform in florist shops and boulangeries.
Linen Cross Back apron
This is another, slightly altered version of a Pinafore apron. As the name suggests, this linen garment also has no ties and its shoulder straps simply cross at the back. The main difference compared to Pinafore is that this piece has an open back, giving a lighter and slightly more elegant feel to it. Linen cross back apron will serve you well outside the kitchen, too, as it is often chosen for gardening where a no-tie option is preferred.
Linen Garçon apron
Garçon, one coffee, please! Last but not least on our list, this piece is a classic in many cafes. Oftentimes called a linen waist apron or half apron, it covers the front, sides, and back of the body only from the waist down to the knees. It comfortably snugs around the hips with the help of two long straps, tied at the waist. Opt for this kitchen accessory if your work is not messy yet you still need to have a bit of coverage and a couple of handy pockets.
How to make this beautiful yet practical kitchen linen accessory last?
Anyone who spends time in the kitchen knows that in order to get the tasty result, you first need to get your hands dirty. This means a high-quality linen apron is a must to keep your clothing stain-free, no matter if it’s a favorite white shirt or simply sweatpants.
But with constant staining and washing, how can you keep your favorite kitchen accessory in the best shape possible? We come to the rescue. Here is a short kitchen linen care guide with simple instructions that you can apply to your apron to make it last for many years.
- Never let the stains sit for too long. It is best to wash your kitchen aprons and kitchen towels regularly and as soon, as they are stained.
- Wash your kitchen linen in 40 oC / 100 oF water. For heavier staining, use 60 oC / 140 oF water, but avoid doing so often as the hot water can make the fabric wear faster or shrink.
- Do not be afraid to use bleach on white linen. Just make sure that it is gentle, oxygen-based, and not a chlorine-based bleach as the latter might damage the fabric.
- Always take your kitchen linen out of the washing machine as soon, as the washing finishes to prevent heavy wrinkling or musty smell.
- You can tumble dry linen at a low temperature or simply hang it and leave it to dry naturally.
- Feel free to iron your linen kitchen apron. It is best to do so while the fabric is still damp.
Simple, isn’t it? If you want to learn more about proper linen care, read our article about how to take care of linen fabric for some advanced tips and tricks.
How to remove the most common stains from your kitchen linen?
Sizzling oil, squished fresh berries, or drops of coffee that’s way too hot. We have all seen this in our kitchens and so did our aprons. Faithfully saving our clothes, they end up smeared and splashed with many tasty things, leaving us wondering how will we ever get those stains out. Is it the end of our relationship with a favorite apron? Not necessarily.
Here are a few most common stains and simple instructions on how to clean them. Tested and confirmed by us personally!
Grease stains
Greatly feared by almost anyone who ever enters the kitchen, grease stains are not always as bad as you may think. Act quickly and use dishwashing soap to do all the hard work.
Berry stains
Did you know that berry stains can be removed from linen textiles simply with water? All you need is a kettle with boiling water and a little bit of patience.
Red wine stains
Decided to make some spaghetti bolognese, eh? A generous amount of salt will take care of wine stains on your linen apron while you enjoy your dinner.
Coffee stains
A spill of this hot brew can be a tough one to clean from your kitchen linen. But it can be done with simple ingredients you surely have at home: dishwashing soap and vinegar.
Tea, juice, soda stains
Believe it or not, these colorful beverage stains can be removed from your linen apron or kitchen towel with the help of cold water. Learn how.
As humble as it may look at the first sight, a linen apron is a functional and stylish garment that everyone needs in their kitchen. Now that you know the most popular types of aprons and learned how low-maintenance this kitchen accessory is, you can start looking for an apron that is perfect for you.
We welcome you to browse kitchen linen, that is hand-made in Lithuania by us at Linen Tales.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an apron?
A linen apron is a popular kitchen accessory used mostly for cooking. It is worn over the clothes to cover the front of the body and protect the clothing from stains.
Where to buy aprons?
Shop high-quality linen aprons at Linen Tales. Handmade from fine European linen, they come in many beautiful styles and colors.