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How To Wash And Care For Linen

What is Linen

Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. It’s a lighter fabric, typically worn in warmer weather. It’s known for its natural luster, breathability, and durability with a cool and crisp feel. Purex® shares how to care for your linen fabrics and clothing to keep them looking brand new.

Common Linen Garments & Items

Linen is a common fabric used in clothing & popular household items. Here’s a few you may recognize:

Linen Clothing

Linen is often used to make shirts, pants, dresses, and shorts as it is a comfortable fabric and absorbs moisture well. It’s important to note that linen can wrinkle easily due to the lightness of the fabric. If traveling with linen, we recommend ensuring that you have a steamer or iron to help get out the wrinkles.

Linen Bedding

Due to its breathability, linen is often used for bedding sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers. It’s a comfortable fabric and similar to clothing, is used in warmer months.

Linen Tablecloths and Napkins

Often in neutral colors, linen tablecloths & napkins can help dress up a table & will easily absorb any moisture spilled on it.

How To Wash Linen

If you’re washing multiple linen items, separate your linens by color and separate them by whites and darks to avoid color bleeding. Wash linen in cool water and the gentle cycle setting using Purex® liquid detergent. It’s a reliable and affordable laundry detergent that will keep your clothes & other items smelling fresh with scents like Mountain Breeze & Fresh Lavender Blossom. As linen can be more delicate, always check the care label to see if the fabric is hand-wash only.

How To Dry Linen

After washing, tumble dry the linen. If you’re washing linen clothing or tablecloth with a stain, make sure the stain is out before placing the linen or the dryer of it could permanently set. To learn how to remove common stains, view our Stain Lab articles.

Tip from Purex® for Caring for Linen

Never store dirty linen, it will attract mildew. Make sure the linen is washed and dried properly before storing linen away.

To learn more about similar fabrics and caring for them, view how to wash cotton or how to wash polyester.

Discover Purex® Products

Purex® offers an array of great products, all at an affordable price to help care for all fabrics. Discover Purex® liquid laundry detergents, Pacs, and Purex® Crystals. Purex® products will keep your clothes smelling fresh in a variety of scents while keeping them looking brand new.

Explore Other Fabric Care Articles

  • Cotton Fabric

  • Denim Fabric

  • Silk Fabric

Discover Purex® Liquid Detergents, Laundry Detergent Pacs & Fragrance Boosters

Purex® Liquid Laundry Detergents

Purex® liquid laundry detergent provides a powerful clean and keeps your clothes smelling fresh for weeks for an affordable price.

Purex® Crystals In-Wash Fragrance Boosters

Purex® Crystals infuses your clothes with an extraordinary freshness that puts the finishing touch on your laundry & can last up to 12 weeks.

Linen Fabric

To Wash
Wash in cool water and the gentle cycle setting.

To Dry

Tumble dry.

Tip from Purex

Never store dirty linen, it will attract mildew.