How to Wash Your Linen Sheets So They Last

These super simple care instructions will help ensure your linen sheets last for years to come.

Just like your favourite pair of jeans, once you’ve invested in the perfect linen bedding set, you want to make sure it stands the test of time. Luckily, this is easy to achieve with linen.

Our sheets are 100% French flax and, aside from making your bedroom look like it's plucked from a high-end magazine shoot, linen is easy to keep looking (and feeling) beautiful.

Known for its durability, linen is extremely soft – becoming softer with time and use. So, there’s no need to worry about using your sheets too much or washing them too often.

Much like a fine wine, linen sheets get better with time, and by following just a few careful care instructions, you can ensure that linen will work hard for your money.

How to wash linen sheets

When you receive your linen set, it’s best to give it a wash before sleeping on it. While our linen is pre-washed for softness, for hygiene purposes, we suggest washing it as soon as it arrives at your doorstep.

Before doing so, separate light and darker colours to prevent colour bleeding. Wash similar colours together in a cool, gentle cycle using liquid detergent only. A gentle cycle helps to minimise friction and reduce the risk of damage.

It’s also important to ensure your linen is thoroughly rinsed in plenty of water to remove all traces of soap, detergent and residual soiling. This will prevent the formation of age spots which are caused by oxidation.

We also suggest avoiding bleach and fabric softeners, as they can strip the linen's beautiful natural fibres. Harsh chemicals can weaken the fibres of linen over time.

The wonderful thing about linen is it gets better with time, softening with every wash, and becoming more comfortable as time goes on. So, enjoy!

How to remove stains from linen

If, for example, you enjoy having your morning coffee in bed and have accidentally spilt liquid on your sheets, it’s best to try and remove the stain as soon as possible as linen is highly absorbent.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, apply it to the stain, blot or gently rub, and then rinse. After treating the stain, wash your linen as you normally would.

How to dry linen

Ah, the ol' "Do I put my sheets it in the dryer or hang them out to air dry?" conundrum. Thankfully, linen is actually one of the strongest natural fibres so it's safe to do either. However, our recommended method is air drying.

Because air drying is more gentle than tumble drying, it will help increase the chance of your linen lasting longer. A bonus is that by hanging your linen out to dry, you won't be using extra electricity.

While tumble-drying isn't preferred because hot temperatures encourage the shrinkage process and can increase the friction, wear, and tear on the fabric, it might be your only option. Use a cool setting and avoid overloading the machine.

How to style a bed with linen

If you hate ironing (don’t we all?), linen is the perfect bedding for you. Linen is loved for its relaxed, creased texture, so there’s no ironing or steaming required. When it comes to styling your linen, layering is best. Add a few full-bodied pillows, a fitted sheet, and a duvet cover to complete the look.

At Bed Threads, you’re in charge, so you can create the bed (and sleep) of your dreams with our Build Your Own Bundle. There’s no need to tightly make the bed either; scatter your pillows, loosely throw your doona on, and you’re good to go. You can also follow these 8 simple steps to making your bed like an expert.