Linen is the most preferred fabric, especially in summer because it keeps your body comfortable without making you sweat more and allows you to move freely. Linen has been used for many centuries as a fabric, that is actually made from flax plants. The fiber in the flax plants is what makes linen fabrics so natural, which is another reason why many choose this fabric over other synthetic ones. In the olden times, linen was used for clothing, household items, and sometimes even as a currency in some regions. Maintaining this linen fabric was easy even when there was no washing machine, but how do you care for pure linen fabric in today’s time? Keep reading this linen care blog and you will know.
To preserve anything, two things play a key role, the way we store it and the way we maintain it. Please note that silk fabric also has various types and each has its own unique properties. Please read the label carefully before cleaning the fabric for instructions.
Table of contents:
- What is pure linen
- How is pure linen fabric made
- Why to choose pure linen
- Versatility of pure linen
- How to care for pure linen
- Conclusion
What is Pure Linen
Pure linen (simply known as linen) is a fabric that is breathable, easy to clean, and withstand wear and tear for a long time. Linen is a natural and flax-based fabric that uses plant fibers of flax plants. This fabric can be used for various purposes like bedding, home decor, or fashion design.
How is Pure Linen Fabric Made
To make linen fibers into fabric, there are a lot of steps. Just like how cotton fabrics are made from cotton seed bolls, linen is made from the fibers or flax plants that are found at the stem of the plant. When the stem of the flax plant becomes yellow and the seeds turn brown in color, they are harvested. The seeds and leaves are removed and the dried-out outer layer is also separated, which gives the usable inner fibers. After the fibers go through the process of combing and spinning, it is reeled into yarns, which can then be dyed or just made into fabric.
Versatility of Pure Linen
- Fashion: With linen fabrics, you can design fashion apparel like summer wear. This can include skirts, shirts, dresses, jackets, and inner-wear because they are comfortable and dry out easily even when you’re sweating.
- Home interior/decor: Linens are also used as homewear, like pillowcases, bedding, table runners, curtains, towels, and cushions. They can make homes look timeless.
- Crafts and art: Linen fabrics are used by artists as canvases for painting colorful pictures. It can also be used for other creative crafts like decor pieces, accessories, etc.
How to Care for Pure Linen
- Washing: You can either hand wash linen fabrics by using water and a large tub or use a washing machine. Do not mix it with heavy-weight and dark-colored fabrics that can damage or discolor the linen threads. Keep the water setting to lukewarm or cold and do not use fabric softeners. Employing bleach or toxic detergent may also harm the linen.
- Drying: If you are using a washing machine, set the drying to low and to air dry the linen fabric, use a drying rack and lay it flat. Clothespins on linen fabric can cause some marks/creases on the fabric.
- Ironing: To iron the linen fabric, use a flat ironing board and set the heat to medium level. Lightly press the fabric when it is still damp and if it has been dyed in a dark color, iron on the underside. If you want to iron the dry linen, use the steam setting to make the fabric flat.
- Storing: Linen clothes need to be stored properly to be used for a long time. Since this fabric is breathable, avoid storing it in a plastic bag or in boxes that do not have airflow. Linen fabrics can have creases if they are not stored in good condition, this is why it is important to lay the fabric flat or in a loose roll. Make Completely dry the fabric and store it in a dry and cool place that has goood air flow to prevent fabric damage.
- Other Maintenance: You can easily remove any stains from the linen fabric using cold water and mild soap or detergent. If the stain is hard to remove, you can use some vinegar drops and baking soda. Avoid using bleach to prevent white stains on linen fabric. In washing machine, stains like sauce, jam, and even blood can be removed with a low wash setting.
Conclusion
Now that you know what is linen and how is flax fibers used to make linen fabric, it is just as important to take proper care of them to use them for a long time. Follow the care instructions like mild washing with cold water, air drying it flat without using clothespins, rolling it loosely instead of folding it, using a low heat setting for ironing, and removing stains using mild soap, baking soda, and vinegar.
