How to care for linen (and why it gets better with age)

Linen has a reputation for being fussy. In truth it is one of the toughest natural fibres there is: flax is stronger wet than dry, it resists moths, and every wash makes it softer. Here is the routine we use in the studio.

Wash cool, and not too often

Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle with a mild, enzyme-free detergent. Linen releases dirt easily, so airing a shirt overnight is often all it needs between wears.

Skip the dryer

Tumble drying is the one thing that genuinely shortens linen’s life. Reshape while damp and hang it on a wide wooden hanger in the shade — most creases fall out as it dries.

The creases are part of the charm. Linen should look lived in, not pressed flat.

Our head of design

Steam, don’t press

If you prefer a crisper look, steam while slightly damp, or iron on the reverse at a medium heat. Store folded loosely rather than tightly packed.

Follow these steps and your linen will feel softer every summer — which is exactly why we cut ours from heavier, long-staple European flax.