Garment care

Linen is one of the few fabrics that gets better with washing. It softens, it drapes more easily, and the crispness of a new piece relaxes into something you reach for every day. It asks for very little in return: cool water, a gentle cycle, and no high heat.

Washing

Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold or lukewarm water. 30°C is ideal and 40°C (104°F) is the limit. Hand washing is fine too.
Use a mild detergent. Skip bleach and optical brighteners, which weaken the fibre and can leave pale patches on coloured linen.
Wash with similar colours, and wash a new dark piece on its own the first time.
Do not overload the drum. Linen creases less when it has room to move.
You do not need fabric softener. Linen softens by itself, and softener coats the fibre and dulls the breathability you bought it for.

Drying

Hang dry in the shade, or tumble dry on low. High heat is the one thing linen does not forgive: it can shrink the cloth and set the creases hard.
Take it out while still slightly damp, give it a shake and smooth the seams by hand. Most of the ironing happens here.
Keep coloured pieces out of strong direct sun while they dry. It fades dye over time.

Ironing, or not

If you like it crisp, iron while the fabric is still slightly damp, inside out, on a low to medium setting. A steamer works just as well.
If you like it relaxed, do not iron at all. Ten minutes on a hanger in a steamy bathroom takes out the sharpest creases.
Creases are part of linen. A piece that never creased would be a blend.

Shrinkage

Linen can shrink a little in hot water or a hot dryer, which is why we say cool water and low heat. Our men's shirting is pre-washed before cutting to reduce this further. Cool water and low heat keep it to a minimum on every piece.

Stains

Act quickly. Rinse the spot in cold water before it dries. Hot water sets most stains.
Work a little mild soap or detergent into the mark with your fingers, then wash as usual.
Never use chlorine bleach on coloured linen. On Natural or Off White, an oxygen based stain remover is the safer choice, tested on an inside seam first.

Storing

Fold or hang in a dry, breathable place. Linen is happiest with air around it.
Keep it out of plastic, which traps moisture, and out of direct sunlight, which fades colour.
Wash before you put a piece away for the season. Stored stains are the ones that set.