Our Blog | Love Linen The Label — Linen Care
How to tell Quality Linen vs Cheap Linen
Linen is a naturally smooth fabric, resistant to lint, highly breathable, drys quickly and is absorbent and hypoallergenic. Linen is a very stable fiber and does not have elastic capabilities, it is an amazing quality from the point of view that quality linen clothing with never loose its shape or stretch - no other natural fiber can boast this!
When selecting linen, particularly with linens popularity increasing due to its earth friendly and natural properties, it is good to know cheap linen vs quality linen.
Quality Linen Is Not Itchy or Scratchy
The biggest tell tail to cheap linen is that it will feel itchy and scratchy. Quality linen is always comfortable on the skin and becomes naturally soft and silky with wash and wear. If linen feels rough or scratchy it is because it is made from a lesser shorter linen fiber of low quality. It may also feel not as sturdy or strong and will be prone to easily tearing and feel 'weak' when pulled.
Watch Out For Existing Folds
Check for points of wear in existing folds, at the same time however if linen is displaying lack or no natural creases, and remains suspiciously crinkle free, it is likely a cheap blend of linen.
Check For Weaving Errors
Look at the consistency and quality of weave. Do not worry about the lack or presence of 'slubs' (a combination of thinner and thicker threads) they are almost always intentionally included in order to keep the fibers intact and creates a 'natural linen' textural look. Very fine linen will likely have no slubs as they will have uniformity of much finer fibers of a consistent diameter.
Consistency of Colour
The colour should be even throughout the fabric. Linen is very difficult to dye so you can usually easily tell if corners have been cut or if the fabric appears to have any yellowing or un-uniform colour.
Identify Country Of Origin
European linen, particularly that from Belgium, Ireland and Italy is amongst the worlds most highly regarded quality linen. It really is a fabric where you do get exactly what you pay for.
Biggest Mistakes When Caring For Linen
1. Too Much Sun
Linen is a natural fiber, to dry or to store it is best kept away from direct sunlight which can 'bake' and in turn 'break' linens natural fibers. After washing linen is best dried inside or in good shade, flat or on hanger, it is best to shake the harsh crinkles from washing while still damp. Most natural fiber clothing benefit from being cared for in this way and will last much longer.
2. Overcrowded Washing
Always keep your machine loads at a comfortable level, with linen it is best that only linen is washed together, other fibers or rough clothes may aggravate your linen clothing. Avoid using hot water or harsh detergents, linens needs are eco friendly too - a cold gentle wash with mild eco friendly detergents work best.
3. Plastic Clothing Covers
We are very passionate about plastic free living. In addition, plastic clothing covers or storage plastic bags inhibit your linen clothing from breathing. As a natural fiber, linen needs to breath to prevent yellowing or mildew growth.
You can always store in cloth natural fiber bags or separate garments using acid-free tissue paper. Ensure your wardrobe space is well ventilated.
4. Letting Stains Sit
Addressing stains as soon as possible will ensure a longer life of your linen clothing. Very often this can be achieved with a spot-stain removing method so as not to have to wash your clothing every time a stain or bit of food makes it's way onto your linen.
An effective eco friendly method is using a sprinkle of bi-carb or baking soda, add a few sprays or drops of vinegar and gently blot away with a natural fiber cloth. Bi-carb soda and vinegar also make a fantastic natural fabric softener and stain remover to add to your wash!
5. Always Ironing
The wonderful thing about quality linen, is that it gets softer and silkier with every wash. Quality linen clothing is known for its natural drape and softness, becoming more fluid with time. Linen is the only natural fiber which does not deteriorate or breakdown due to washing and wearing, it has a significantly stronger fiber which is why good quality linen clothing is a very prized thing indeed. Linen has natural creases which add to its character and inherently unique natural look. You will prolong the life of your linen clothing if you do not iron - I repeat - no need for ironing.
A Linen Dress is Just the Best
Quality linen will always be soft to touch even before a first wash.
All of our linens are chosen for their quality and softness and are already pre-softened and pre-shrunk. The beauty of linen is that it will never loose its shape - no other fabric does this! - making a well made linen garment even more favorable as an investment piece. You will never have your favourite piece loosing shape or shrinking!
Particularly in Australia - linens breathable and insulating properties are so well suited to our sometimes harsh and dramatically hot and cold climates. The ability to keep you cool during the warmer months and warmer during the cooler months makes linen one of the best tran-seasonal pieces on offer.
Linen is also fast drying so a splash of the ocean or a rushed clothes wash so you can wear your favourites again and again, linens advantage is that it is very fast drying - although be assured when washing it is best to dry inside or in the shade as to not damage the linen fibers.
Probably one of my absolute favourites, linen gets softer and silkier with each wash and wear - with time your love of your best linen dress just gets better and better!
Have You Considered Wearing Nothing But Linen
Reasons To Fall In Love With The Worlds Best Natural Fiber
We seem to be on trend as the world catches on - again to how good quality linen just is
- The process to produce linen is earth friendly and natural, minimal to no water or pesticides is needed to harvest and minimal chemicals to extract the linen fibers from the flax plant is needed
- Linen is arguably the most sustainable natural fiber in this way, being made from a plant also makes it eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable
- Linen cloth has a very long life, linen is well known to be more than 3 times stronger than cotton, it is also a more structurally sound fiber which means it does not loose shape and is more resistant to abrasions
- Linen gets better with every wash, unlike most other fibers which deteriorate linen remains strong and gets softer and silkier with time
- Linen is known to be the go to summer material, but this works both ways as it is a natural insulator which means due to the natural ability of its fibers, linen keeps you cool when its hot and warm when its cold, it is one of, or if not the best natural fiber to regulate your natural body temperature
- Wearing linen makes you stand out in the crowd, linen lovers are known to appreciate a more natural and conscious way of life and well as appreciating a healthier way of living
- Linen is easy to wear for all occasions, it is not hard to let linen take over your wardrobe, an investment worth savoring for many years to come
The Best Nights Sleep You'll Ever Have
Sleeping in Linen - Give the Royal Wave
Linen has come a long way over the years. No longer hard and scratchy like Grandmas linens were, today's linen are naturally pre-softened and often stonewashed. Linen is now not uncommon to be super soft and fluid even before first washing.
Often known for being a mark of royalty having linen bed sheets (and clothing) has forever been known to have superior quality for centuries.
Much like linen clothing, caring for your linen sheets is not hard. A regular cold gentle wash and avoidance of direct sunlight when drying are the rules of thumb.
Most that make the change to linen sheets wished they made the leap a long time ago! The best part.. you can be in linen comfort all day long with us x
Still finding it hard to sleep - here's some top tips proven to help
- Increase your natural light exposure during the day
- Reduce the use of electronic devices in the evening
- Avoid caffeine after lunchtime
- Try to have a consistent wake and sleep routine
- Avoid any alcohol intake
- Optimize your bedroom environment (temperature, comfortable bed and pillow, minimal light, candles, music, incense etc)
- Take a relaxing bath or shower
- Exercise regularly (not before bed though)
- Avoid eating in late evening
- Relax, clear your mind and unwind
Sweet dreams linen lovers x
Looking after your linen clothing
Keeping your favourite linens white naturally
Caring for linen is not as hard as may be perceived. At Love Linen we are all about looking after our planet as well and, as it happens, some of the best and least expensive fabric softeners and stain removers are natural products.
By far one of our absolute favorites is bi-carb soda (or baking soda). It can make your towels and sheets super soft and fluffy and better yet can soften your favourite linen clothing and also act as an amazing natural stain remover and help keep your whites white. Just add about a quarter of a cup or 2 - 3 tablespoons per wash.
Bonus: Our at home tip. We wash all of our linen clothing on cold, machine wash, hand wash cycle with an earth friendly washing powder and bi-carb soda, as soon as our load has finished we hang on hangers inside or under our shaded courtyard to air dry and fall out beautifully. If you do wish to iron your linen clothing, hot tip - do it before the fabric is dry (still damp) and it's so much easier!