How to Wash Linen Clothes Without Shrinking

This practical guide explains how to wash linen clothes without shrinking. Follow the steps in order, review the requirements first, and use the troubleshooting notes when a setting or option does not work as expected.

But while linen is a great material to keep you cool during the warmer months, it can be tricky to care for. " Linen is made from flax fibers, which are denser but less elastic than cotton, making it more susceptible to wrinkling, shrinking, and wear if not treated properly, " Julie Bray, senior product manager of garment care at Hamilton Beach Brands, tells Women. To keep your linen garments lasting as long as possible, it's important to maintain their original quality.

Here's what you need to know to wash linen clothes without shrinking or losing their shape .

How to wash linen without shrinking and wrinkling

Because linen can be so difficult to care for, it's often assumed that dry cleaning is the only way to care for it. That's not entirely true, however. Most items can be machine washed in cold or warm water on the gentle cycle and then hung to dry, adding that more structured items—like those with the perfect creases you need to get the look you want—may be better off at the dry cleaners.

If you decide to do it yourself, keeping your linen wrinkle-free is something you need to master. Drying your linen and using a high-quality steamer or iron with adjustable heat and steam settings to clean it will help prolong the life of your fabric. For best results, iron your linen while it is still slightly damp and storing it in a cool place will also help prolong its life.

Taking a few extra steps to care for your clothes can help minimize wrinkles and ensure your favorite pieces stay in great shape for next summer.