Linen, made from the fibres of the flax plant, has been used as a textile for thousands of years. It’s recently increased in popularity as people like you are searching for natural, high-quality fabrics for their home.

Proper linen care will keep them soft and cozy for years to come. Did you know that linen actually becomes softer and more absorbent after every wash? Yep!

Here are some tips for suggested linen care to help keep your linen bed sheets fresh:

Linen Washing machine or dry cleaning?

When linen is woven into bedding fabrics, it is also specially treated so it can be machine-washed or hand washed. Linen bed sheets don’t require dry cleaning, however if you do have linen clothes or garments, dry cleaning is often recommended for those. 

When using a household washing machine, wash linen bedding in lukewarm or cold water as part of your linen care routine. If possible, use soft water for your machine. Wash in the gentle cycle with a mild detergent to keep the fabric fibres softer. 

To dry, you can machine dry (tumble low) your bedding fabrics as long as you do so at lower temperatures. If you remove the fabric before it’s fully dry, and hang to dry you can avoid the linen becoming stiff. 

Do I need an iron for linen care?

Linen naturally has ruffles and creases and they contribute to its softness. There is no need to iron linen fabrics. If you choose to iron, do so using medium-hot temperatures on steam setting while the fabric is still mildly damp.

Can I store bed linens in the closet?

You have two choices for storing linen bed fabrics: hang or store flat. Wherever you choose, ensure its a cool, dry, and well ventilated area. For longer-term storage we recommend storing in acid-free tissue paper between the folds (not regular tissue paper as it can stain white linens). Tissue paper will help soften any fold creases, which eventually weaken fibers.

Don’t be tempted to store linen bed fabrics in bathrooms because the moist, warmer environments will lead to mildew on your sheets. If you wish, you can store linens with scented sachets (as long as it's a white sachet to avoid staining. 

All linens from Sömn come with washing instructions, so please check the label and follow the linen care and washing instructions to be safe. Linen fabrics are easy to care for and will support you in a good night sleep for years to come.