Linen Care
Washing
Our linen is a natural fibre that does not require specialist care. Plain white linen can be machine washed at 60°C, while coloured or embroidered linen should be washed at 40°C. Avoid bleach and detergents containing optical brightening agents, as these can affect the colour and natural fibres.
All cut-length fabrics are pre-shrunk and softened for a supple finish; however, some shrinkage of up to 4% may still occur. Allow for this when making curtains, chair covers, or other finished items.
Unlined curtains can be washed; pre-washing before making up will further reduce shrinkage.
Lined, interlined, and blackout curtains are best dry-cleaned by a specialist. When making up curtains, we recommend hemming the lining separately to avoid sagging.
Drying
Tumble drying is possible for a soft, supple finish, though repeated tumble drying may shorten the life of the fabric and is not recommended for embroidered linen. Linen is easier to iron when slightly damp. Fully dried linen may appear to have shrunk; the fibres will relax with a spray of water and a light press.
Ironing
Ironing is entirely optional - creases are part of linen’s natural charm. For those who prefer a pressed finish, here are a few simple tips:
- Iron while damp for best results, it makes it easier to remove creases, alternatively spray with water. You can also use fragranced water which also adds a nice scent.
- Use a steam iron.
- For embroidered items, place a plain cloth over the stitching to protect the design.
- Folding sheets or tablecloths in advance of ironing may leave “chequer board” creases, which add character and reduce ironing time.
- Use starch for a crisp finish and slight protection against stains.
Colour Reproduction & Natural Variation
Linen (flax) is a natural fibre and not always uniform in texture and colour. The colour of flax is affected by the weather conditions during the growing and retting processes resulting in natural variation in shade between each harvest. Linen can have occasional ‘slubs’ in the weave which are not faults but characteristic of the fibre.
While every effort is taken to ensure the colour reproduction of our fabric card, catalogue and website is accurate as possible, we cannot guarantee a 100% colour match. Fabric swatches are available upon request. We strongly recommend that you request swatches prior to making your fabric order as fabric is non-returnable after being cut.
Linen, like all natural materials, can be affected by light exposure over time. The lightfastness of linen, or its resistance to fading, depends on factors such as colour depth and the amount of direct sunlight the fabric receives. As our linens are 100% natural and free from synthetic coatings, some fading may occur with strong or prolonged sunlight exposure, particularly in lighter weight or richly coloured fabrics.
To help preserve the original colour of your fabric, we recommend minimising direct exposure to strong sunlight and, where possible, using blinds, linings, or UV-protective window glass or film — a method often used in hotels and interior projects to protect textiles and furnishings.
Stains
Ideally, attend to spills promptly and soak using a good detergent. For red wine stains, avoid salt; instead, dilute with water or white wine and soak the fabric as soon as possible.
Shrinkage
Some shrinkage of up to 4% may occur after the first wash. This has been factored into all our sizing. For ready-to-hang curtains, cut-fabric and custom items, we recommend washing before making up or allowing for possible shrinkage.
Pilling
All fabrics will pill over time to some extent due to abrasion from wear or washing. To reduce pilling:
- Wash items inside out
- Use fabric softener in the washer or dryer to lubricate the fibres
- Avoid tumble drying; line dry and use a light iron if necessary
Linen Fire-Retardant (FR) Finish Information
Our fabrics are not fire-retardant (FR) treated and must be treated or interlined to meet FR standard regulations. We recommend purchasing 1 metre / 1 yard of fabric for testing before treatment.
- Essex Fireproofing Company
- Fabric Flare Solutions Ltd