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August 5, 2016

Linen is the perfect fabric for summer: it's lightweight, breathable, quick drying, airy, cool and wicks away moisture from your skin. Plus it's ideal for traveling (more on packing here). Whether caring for your sheets or clothes, here are our tips for keeping your linen looking great throughout summer and into autumn.

Cleaning:

linen machine washing

Firstly, always follow the manufacturer's instructions to maintain your linen in the best way possible. Most items can be machine washed, and even get better (softer, stronger) with each wash. Pick a delicate or cool wash and use a gentle detergent to preserve the linen fibres. Try to wash items of a similar weight to avoid crushing your fabrics - your jeans, for example, might be better left for another wash. Never use bleach on your linen, it will ruin it. Some garments, such as linen suits or jackets, may need dry cleaning in order to keep their structure. You can also hand wash linen, but take care not to wring as this damages the fabric. Softly, softly is your best approach here.

Drying:

pegs - linen summer

If summer stays true to its promise of sun and warmth your linen will be happy air drying outside. It's best to try to dry linen flat or hung on padded hangers, to avoid misshaping your garments. Most linens can be tumble dried on a low heat, but again, check your labels carefully. If tumble drying, remove the items while they are still slightly damp to retain their super-softness.

Pressing:

While we embrace the natural crumples in our linen, there may be times when you want to look a bit more polished (a wedding or work meeting perhaps) and reach for the iron. To make sure your linen looks its best always iron when damp, or use a steam iron, and press just until the wrinkles are gone. No heavy-handed mauling. Turn darker linens inside out and iron on the wrong side to avoid streaking.

Storing:

When not using your linen sheets, clothes or towels you should try to store them in a cool place. They are naturally insect-repellent so there's no need for nasty insecticides. To refresh a crinkly linen garment after storage simply spritz with water and press flat with your hands, then let it air dry.

Follow these simple tips and your linen will give you years of wear and use, and will look amazing right through the seasons.

 

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