Care instructions for linen

Linen is a gracious and easy-care natural fiber that ages with dignity, becoming more comfortable and beautiful over time if properly cared for. Here are our tips on how to care for and wash your linen.

Soaking

Place the new linen in lukewarm water for approximately 20-30 minutes before washing. This helps prevent creases and adds more water to the washing machine.

Water-rich Program

All new linen releases excess fibers initially that need to be rinsed out in the wash. Set the machine to the program with the most generous water volume, avoiding an eco-program as it's too water-efficient. Instead, opt for a short 60-degree program. Add extra rinsing if possible. Wash at 60 degrees. Wash linen separately, do not mix with other materials as it can cause fiber shedding. Use a mild, gentle detergent without bleach.

Linen Curtains

We recommend hand washing or using the wool program for our linen curtains. The curtains soften over time, but washing accelerates the process. For those wishing to retain the stiffness of the curtain, we recommend airing. To strengthen linen curtains, we can share an old housekeeping trick. Mix about 1 dl of wheat flour and 2 tbsp of salt in a 10-liter bucket with lukewarm water. Stir. After washing the curtains, dip the wet curtains in the bucket. Let dry.

Stain Treatment

Treat stains as soon as possible! Gall soap and linseed oil soap work on most stains, never use bleach on linen! Stains from red wine and red berries are treated with boiling water. Pour through the stain with a bowl underneath. Stains from milk, egg, and blood are treated with COLD water and gall soap or linseed oil soap.

Centrifugation & Tumble Drying

Lower or remove centrifugation if possible. We discourage tumble drying as it shortens the lifespan of the linen, but if you wish to do so for a softer finish, DO NOT tumble dry completely, a few spins in the dryer followed by air drying is usually sufficient.

Ironing & Mangling

Stretch the linen after washing and hang to dry. Mangle or iron when well-dampened with the hottest setting on the iron. Our linen tablecloth Våga and our bath towels Bubbel and Storm look best if simply stretched out and then hung or air-dried.

Clean the Washing Machine Filter

After the wash cycle is complete, make sure to clean the washing machine filter from any lint. Usually, there is a door at the front of the washing machine that you can open to access the filter, but always read the manual for your washing machine first to find out where the filter is located.

Avoid Washing Unnecessarily

Linen has a smooth surface that repels dirt, keeping it clean for longer. Additionally, its quick drying time reduces the risk of bacterial growth. A linen towel, therefore, never starts to smell sour, which in turn means it doesn't need to be washed as often.

The Dishcloth

Our dishcloth is woven in a technique that makes it porous and flexible. Linen has the unique property of absorbing moisture better and then drying faster than any other natural material. A linen dishcloth absorbs effectively, and it can be dried thoroughly. When needed, machine wash the linen dishcloth at 60° or boil it in a pot of water on the stove. Since linen comes from nature, when the cloth has served its purpose, it can be composted.

Bath Mat / Floor Cloth / Sauna Cloth

These three products are woven in our coarsest yarn, which means they release more excess fiber than other products. During the first few washes, the fabric releases the most excess fibers, but the more the product is washed, the less lint it should produce. Set the machine to the program with the most generous water volume, avoid using an eco-program as it's too water-efficient. Instead, opt for a short 60-degree program. Add extra rinsing if possible. Wash linen separately, in this case, one by one for the first wash. Alternatively, boil it in a pot of water on the stove.

Coffee Filter

We have found that different types of coffee contain varying amounts of oil, which affects the coffee filter differently. To avoid clogging the coffee filter, we recommend rinsing it under the tap after each brewing. The filter doesn't really need to be washed more than that, but if you wish, you can boil it in a pot of water and possibly a little bicarbonate if needed.

Fabric for Upholstery

Do not wash a fabric you intend to reupholster furniture with. An unwashed fabric resists stains better and retains its shape longer.

Live with it!

Finally, we want to quote Växbo Lin's designer and linen expert Ingela Berntsson: Live with linen! Enjoy it! It only becomes more beautiful with use.