Summer is here and linen shirts are the best way to keep yourself fresh, while looking amazing! But after you get the shirt that suits you perfectly, you might be wondering how to take good care of it: how to wash it, if you can iron it and if it will shrink or rip if you make a mistake.
Don’t worry! we’re coming to your rescue. Here we'll telll you everything you need to know about how to take care of a linen shirt.
Q: Can you wash a linen shirt in the washing machine?
Linen is a durable material that can be machine-washed with out any major problem. A new linen shirt should be washed with cooler water temperatures for the first few washes – this will set the strengthening process known as mercerization. Later on, wash your linen shirt in warm or cold water to avoid shrinking and color fading. Opt out for a mild detergent and avoid using fabric softener.
If your washing machine allows you to select the water level, choose the highest one offered because linen is highly absorbent. Avoid overloading the washing machine as it can result in twisting or pulling the linen fabric out of shape. Be sure that any other items washed with linen clothing are similar in color, weight and washing instructions.
Q: Can linen shirts be tumble dried?
Luckily for you, all our linen products are pre-washed, which means that you can tumble-dry them safely. Make sure the drying temperature is low and remove the linen shirt while it is still slightly damp. Overdrying is the most harmful thing for linen as it weakens the fibers causing shrinkage and pilling. Over-dried linen items restore their natural moisture content after re-absorbing moisture from the air.
Q: Can you iron a linen shirt?
A: The crumpled texture a linen shirt has is one of the reasons we love them. The casual look of a linen shirt has become very fashionable in the last years, so you shouldn’t worry about a wrinkle or two when you go out. Just smooth it out on a flat surface when it’s still a little wet and let it dry like that to avoid any heavy creasing. If you still insist on ironing your linen shirt, make sure you iron it inside-out, using a steam iron on a warm/hot setting for linen and a water spritzer if needed. \
Q: Can you bleach a linen shirt?
A: Please don’t! Bleach weakens any fabric, and linen, as durable as it is, is no exception. If you really need to brighten up a white or light-colored linen shirt, substitute chlorine bleach with an eco-friendly oxygenated bleach.
Take good care of your linen shirt and it will surely keep that perfect style for years.
