How to wash linen correctly so that the item does not shrink?

Linen items surprise, delight, heal, and give comfort. Owners should know how to wash linen in the washing machine and by hand to prevent it from shrinking or fading. It is important to observe the temperature limit - 30-40, in rare cases up to 60 degrees. Clothes and bed linen are rinsed well and dried until slightly damp, flattened. If you follow the recommendations, the fabric looks beautiful, soft to the touch, without creases.

Linen: characteristics and properties of the fabric

There is a saying: “Whoever is dressed in linen will live to be 100 years old.” This is a natural fabric obtained from the plant of the same name. It does not require special care and lasts for many years. There are several nuances that need to be taken into account:

• Over time, the bright white color fades;
• the dye on natural linen does not last as well as on synthetics;
• during normal washing it shrinks slightly, but then returns to its original shape when worn;
• may shrink when washed in hot water;
• wrinkles quickly and is prone to the formation of strong creases.

Properties and characteristics of the fabric in the table:

How to wash linen

Linen fabric cannot be called capricious; it is not delicate. Linen clothes are easy to care for - wash and iron. Repeated washings are beneficial. Over time, the fabric only becomes softer and more comfortable.

But still there are some nuances of care. In order for linen items to please you with their appearance for a long time and bring you joy, you need to follow the rules:

1. Priority is given to liquid detergents without fragrances or strong odors. Linen has its own pleasant, fresh aroma, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
2. You need to study the information on the product label.Depending on the color, density, and other features, linen items may have different care recommendations. Look on the tag at what degrees the product can be washed at and whether it can be used in a washing machine.
3. If you cut off the tag, follow the rule: wash colored linen at a temperature of 30-40 degrees, undyed linen - at a temperature of up to 60 degrees.
4. Use plenty of water and rinse detergents thoroughly. Residues from detergents harm the material and can cause skin irritation and itching.
5. Instead of industrial air conditioners, it is better to use a weak solution of vinegar. Vinegar helps maintain the brightness of colored linen and removes detergent residue. It is enough to add 1 tbsp. l. table vinegar per 6-7 liters of water.

What not to do:

1. Wash linen with colored items, wool and synthetics. Light-colored fabric quickly turns gray and may turn yellow.
2. Use aggressive chemicals, bleaches containing chlorine. The fibers are damaged and things deteriorate faster.
3. Dry in the sun and frost, dry for a long time. The sun's rays dry out the fibers and damage the fabric. After complete drying, it is difficult to iron the linen even with an iron. The fabric becomes hard and unpleasant to the touch.

Handwash

Len loves hand washing. It is recommended to wash linen clothes by hand, but not because machine washing is harmful.

Unlike delicate fabrics, linen does not become vulnerable when wet. It can be crushed, rubbed, squeezed. The fabric becomes softer and looks better.

Linen can be washed with any powders, detergents, even laundry soap. It is usually washed as follows:

1. Pour water heated to 40 degrees into a basin.If the dirt is strong and the linen is light, you can use water at a temperature of 60 degrees.
2. Dissolve the detergent.
3. Dip the linen item into water and let it soak thoroughly (10-15 minutes).
4. Stubborn stains can be additionally soaped with soap or treated with a stain remover. Rub and leave for the same amount of time.
5. Wash by hand.
6. Rinse the product thoroughly in plenty of water.
7. Last time use water with 1 tbsp. l. vinegar.
8. Squeeze without twisting and dry flat in a vertical position.

In the washing machine

Linen clothes can be washed together with cotton clothes or run a separate cycle. It is important to sort things by color: separate colored from white. Don't forget to empty your trouser pockets and make sure your clothes are intact. If there are defects, you need to do repairs first.

How to wash linen in a washing machine:

1. If there are stubborn stains, treat with a non-chlorine stain remover. Wait for the time indicated on the package.
2. Determine which mode to wash in by looking at the label. A basin with a hand means hand wash, a number means maximum temperature, and an underline means delicate wash.
3. If in doubt, select the “hand wash” mode, temperature – 30, spin off or up to 600 rpm.
4. Turn on extra rinse.
5. Load linen items into the drum. It is correct to fill it no more than two-thirds.
6. Load detergent: gel is better, but you can use a capsule or powder without chlorine.
7. Start the wash.
8. Do not dry clothes in the machine or leave them for a long time.
9. Unload the laundry, straighten it and proceed to the drying stage.

How to dry and iron

After washing, it is recommended to hang linen clothes out wet, after drying them out to smooth them out.Flowing down, the water helps to stretch the fabric. The washed product looks neat and does not require ironing.

Advice. Dry linen shirts, trousers and dresses on hangers. This way they will keep their shape.

Slight bruising of linen is considered normal.

The material looks beautiful and noble. Ironing is required only in case of severe creases, if the item was dried in a curled form, or became wrinkled during storage or transportation. How to iron:

1. Start ironing when the linen is slightly damp.
2. Set the temperature to maximum.
3. Stretch the fabric by hand to avoid creases with the iron.
4. Don't put on your clothes right away. Let it hang for 15-20 minutes. This way it will wrinkle less.

Good linen tolerates high-temperature ironing and steaming well.

What to do if the item shrinks

Typically, flax does not shrink significantly, like wool, for example. You can quickly return to the original size. What to do:

1. Iron the item from the wrong side through damp gauze.
2. If this does not help, immerse in lukewarm water with the addition of 1 tbsp. l. vinegar. Leave for 15 minutes, squeeze lightly. Dry flat.
3. Put it on and walk around for a few hours. When worn, linen items stretch.

Question answer

How to wash it?

Linen items love soaking. Leave them in a bowl of warm water overnight. You can add 5-7 tbsp. l. salt per 2-3 liters of water. After this, virtually any stains are washed off quickly and easily.

What to bleach with?

To bleach, linen products are soaked in a 7% vinegar solution. After 3 hours, rinse thoroughly in cold water or wash. The second method is using baking soda. You need to dissolve 3 tbsp. l. soda in 1 liter of water, soak the item for a day, then wash. Yellowed flax can be bleached with ammonia. Add 1 tbsp to soapy water for soaking.l. ammonia (for every 1 liter of water). After 2-3 hours the product can be washed. Bleaching of flax with blue is also allowed.

How to wash knitted linen items?

Items made from linen yarn and linen knitwear are recommended to be washed by hand or in a washing machine in the “Delicate Wash” mode. Spin – up to 600 rpm, temperature – 40 degrees. It is not recommended to forcefully twist or stretch clothes when wet. Dry flat on a horizontal surface.

For a modern person, linen is one of the most attractive fabrics. It is environmentally friendly and durable. Wearing linen clothes and a linen sheet is comfortable in the summer heat and warm in winter. The products are endowed with noble simplicity and are completely devoid of pretentiousness. Linen care is just as simple: wash in warm water and dry vertically in the shade. Don't let it dry out, and linen will show its best side.