How to wash linen by hands

It is true, flax fabric requires special care. This also applies to washing linen the right way - not only the appearance, but also the lifespan of your favorite linen product depend on it.

Let's see how to wash linen items so that they do not lose their shape and continue to bring delight to you for many more years.

Choosing the linen care: how can you wash linen?

If your washing machine has the “Delicate” setting, then you can get rid of most stains in that way - high-quality natural linen easily withstands everyday washing at 40 degrees Celsius.

However, it should be said that manual washing is, probably, the best way of how to clean linen.

Manual washing also typically consumes less electricity and water than washing in a washing machine, and also less often leads to mechanical damage to fabrics.

Moreover, knowing how to do laundry by hand is a very useful skill if you like to travel (and often there is no access to a washing machine) or if there is a routine maintenance electricity shut off at your place.

For your washing to be successful, be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations indicated on the label. Normally, the optimum water temperature is already indicated on there, whether wringing out is allowed and the best ironing temperature.

Best hand wash strategy for you linen

There are several steps that will help you to wash your linen manually, without causing any damage to it.

First, it is important to choose the right hand wash detergent. Its composition should include components that increase the alkalinity of the water, on the package referred to as soda or silicates - they will catalyze the process of stain removal and will not damage the fabric. It is very important to ensure that the detergent DOES NOT contain chlorine or any other bleachers, so any harsh stain removers are not to be used. And for undyed products, you can use a simple household soap.

So, here is the course of actions of how to hand wash something as valuable as natural linen fabric:

• Button down or/and zip up your linen items (if zippers/buttons are present).

• If there are any - take care of removing stains from linen beforehand or at least pre-wash them. 

• Take the largest container and fill it to the top with warm water.

• Add detergent.

• White linen fabric requires soaking for half an hour. And as far as colorful dyed items - they should be washed right away without soaking.

• Wash gently.

• Rinse the washed clothes in cool water until all the detergent is washed out.

• Restrain from wringing, otherwise your clean linen fabric may get deformed. Excess moisture can just drip down if you hang your item. Place a basin under for collecting the dripping water.

• The best way of how to dry hand washed clothes is by drying in a well-ventilated place. Straighten the item before letting dry. And be careful not to overdry - this can make ironing linen more difficult.

Take good care of your quality linen and, of course, of your hands - do not forget to use hand cream or moisturizer after you finish with the wash.