KNOW YOUR FABRIC
Read your linen item’s label, choose compatible washing and drying settings, and decide whether ironing is permitted or needed.
Linen shirts, bed sheets and lined garments do not necessarily share the same care instructions. Their labels apply to the finished item, including its colour, finish and construction. Use those instructions to set the wash, drying and ironing limits. A rumpled appearance alone is not a reason to apply more heat or a more aggressive treatment.
Follow the label’s permitted method. Do not transfer a washable sheet’s instructions to a structured linen jacket or a linen blend. If an item specifies dry clean only, this general guide is not permission for a gentle home wash.
Read the wash-tub number and any bars, plus the written instructions. Some linen manufacturers recommend cool or lukewarm gentle washing for their products, but that is not a fixed temperature rule for every linen item. Choose a compatible machine program.
Use the method the item permits. If tumble drying is allowed, read its heat limit rather than assuming a sturdy-feeling fabric can take high heat. If line drying or shade is specified, include that in the plan before starting the wash.
A naturally relaxed appearance may suit the item. If you want a smoother finish, check whether ironing is allowed and at which setting. Follow any guidance about ironing while slightly damp; do not automatically add steam or select the hottest linen setting.
Read each label and group suitable colours and washing instructions. Follow manufacturer advice about separate washing. Check fastenings and other preparation directions, and leave room for the items to move within your machine’s load guidance.
Choose a detergent appropriate to the item and follow the product’s dose. Read the bleach restriction before using a detergent or additive containing bleach. Extra product is not a shortcut to a better result and may need more rinsing.
Use the permitted cycle and temperature. When the wash finishes, take out the linen and gently arrange it for the specified drying method rather than leaving it compressed in the drum. Do not stretch it in an attempt to remove every crease.
Where the maker recommends removing dryer-safe linen slightly damp to manage creases, let it finish drying before storage. Iron only if permitted, using the stated setting and method. Otherwise allow the intended texture to remain.
Choose the marks actually printed on your item. Keep the complete instructions together, then copy or print your checklist.
Find the marks on my label