Linen
Does linen shrink?
It can: linen may shrink about 3–5% the first time it's washed hot. Cool water and no dryer prevent it.
How to prevent it
- Wash cool: 30 °C or as the label says, never hotter.
- Use a gentle cycle and a lower spin.
- Dry without heat – on a line or flat; the dryer is the main culprit.
- Iron at the temperature on the label.
If it has shrunk
- If it has shrunk: soak in lukewarm water with hair conditioner for 30 minutes, gently stretch and dry flat. It helps some fabrics; felted wool won't recover.
About linen
The stalks are retted, broken and combed, and the long fibres spun. One of the oldest fabrics in the world, and a Lithuanian tradition.
Which fabrics shrink most and least
Other questions
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
01What is linen?
Fibre from the stalks of the flax plant. The stalks are retted, broken and combed, and the long fibres spun. One of the oldest fabrics in the world, and a Lithuanian tradition.
02Is linen a natural fabric?
Yes – a natural plant fibre.
03Is linen breathable?
Very well: linen is one of the most breathable fabrics – the coolest choice for hot weather.