How to care for linen? This is how to keep it looking good for longer

To understand how to best care for linen, we consulted Ida Numadottir and Agneta Häll at Lindex. Both work with materials, quality, and garment longevity, and their advice forms the basis of this guide.

Linen is synonymous with summer. Shirts, dresses, trousers, and blazers are brought out as soon as temperatures rise. At the same time, few materials raise as many questions. Does linen need to be washed after every wear? Why does it wrinkle so easily? And how do you keep linen garments looking good year after year?

The short answer is that linen often lasts longer if you wash it less than many people think. Linen behaves differently from both cotton and synthetics – and that's also what makes the material so popular on warm summer days.

To care for linen in the best way, it's therefore less about washing and more about understanding the material's properties. When you know why linen feels cool, how the fibers work, and when the garment actually needs washing, it also becomes easier to keep your favorite items looking good for longer.

Why linen feels cooler than many other materials

Linen is one of summer's most appreciated materials. The fiber comes from the flax plant and has a smooth surface that makes it feel cool and comfortable against the skin. There's also an emotional connection: we simply associate linen with summer. 

The material also absorbs moisture efficiently, wicks it away from the body, and dries quickly. This often makes linen feel cooler and drier than, for example, cotton on warm days.

At Lindex, linen is a recurring summer material in everything from shirts and trousers to dresses and blazers. Their collection of linen garments also shows how widely the material is used during the summer, from everyday wear to more dressed-up favorites.

Do you have to wash linen after every wear?

No, usually not. Many garments are washed out of habit rather than necessity, and linen is a good example of a material that often withstands several wears before needing to be washed. Thanks to the smooth surface of the linen fiber, dirt does not stick as easily as it does to, for example, cotton.

If the garment hasn't developed stains and doesn't smell, airing it between wears is often sufficient. Hanging up the shirt, dress, or trousers after use allows the fibers to recover while any moisture evaporates.

This means less wear and tear and helps the garment retain both its fit and feel for longer. 

Why linen lasts longer if you wash it less often

What wears out many garments the most is not use, but washing.

Every wash exposes the fibers to mechanical processing, water, temperature changes, and spinning. Over time, both structure, color, and fit are affected.

Linen is admittedly a durable natural material, but even linen fibers are gradually broken down by unnecessarily frequent washing. The same principle applies to many other materials. Also, read our guide on why odor gets stuck in synthetics to more easily extend the lifespan of garments and shoes.

By washing when the garment actually needs it, instead of on routine, you help the linen retain that cool, soft feel that makes the material so appreciated from the start.

How do you wash linen?

When it's time to wash, it's wise to follow the garment's washing instructions.

Many linen garments can be washed at 30 or 40 degrees Celsius, which is often sufficient for normal use. Higher temperatures are rarely needed and increase the risk of shrinkage and unnecessary wear.

Avoid overfilling the washing machine and preferably let the garment hang dry afterwards. Air drying is the gentlest option to preserve both shape and feel.

When is airing or freshening up the garment sufficient?

Not all garments need to be washed to feel fresh. A linen garment that has been worn during a workday, for dinner, or on a summer evening can often benefit more from being aired out than being washed immediately. Since linen is a natural fiber, the material often releases odor more easily than many synthetic materials.

This is because skin oils and other organic residues do not adhere as easily to linen fibers as they do to, for example, polyester. Sweat itself doesn't smell much, but when skin oils and other organic substances remain in the textile, they can become food for odor-causing bacteria. In natural materials like linen, these substances often release more easily from the fibers.

If the garment needs more than airing between uses, Pure Effect Textile Spray can be an alternative. The spray contains Bacillus subtilis which creates substances that break down the organic residues that odor-producing bacteria feed on.

When the cause of the odor is broken down, the conditions for odor also disappear. This way, you can remove odor and freshen up between uses without needing to wash as often.

How to keep linen garments looking good for a long time

If we summarize the most important advice from people who work with materials and quality every day, it is this: follow the washing instructions, avoid unnecessary washing, and allow garments to recover and hang on a hanger between uses.

Linen is a material that becomes more beautiful over time when cared for correctly. The better you understand the material, the longer your favorite garments will last.

FAQ

Can you wash linen at 40 degrees Celsius?

Yes, in most cases it's fine, but always follow the garment's washing instructions. Often, 30 degrees is enough for normally used garments, and it's also gentler, especially for dark colors. Since linen doesn't get dirty as easily as many people think, higher temperatures are rarely needed.

Can linen shrink in the wash?

Yes, it can shrink, especially at high washing temperatures or if tumble dried. Therefore, it's good to stick to milder washing and let the garment air dry. Always follow the garment's washing instructions.

Can you tumble dry linen?

We do not recommend it. Linen is a naturally stiff and inelastic fiber that wears out from tumbling. Hang drying is significantly gentler and helps the garment retain both its shape and strength over time.

How do you remove odor from linen?

Often, airing the garment is enough. Linen releases odor more easily than synthetics, thanks to it being easier to clean from the skin oils that can otherwise cause odor. If necessary, you can wash, but just as often, a freshening up between uses is sufficient.

Do you need to wash linen after every wear?

Usually not. Linen requires less washing than many people think. How often you need to wash naturally depends on how the garment is used, but in most cases, airing is enough.

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