In previous posts, we’ve mentioned a few high-tech ways your shirt may help you stay both cool and protected from the sun while the heat is on. For those of you shirt fans seeking an all-natural solution to warm weather woes, there are few fabrics better suited for summer than linen. Since ancient times, people have been relying on this fabric to stay fresh in some of the hottest places on earth. Yet, probably also since time immemorial, people have been wondering how to care for their linen threads.
As anyone who’s ever donned this flax fiber textile knows, linen often inspires an equal proportion of love and hate among wearers. While you may love the fabric’s natural breeziness during the warm weather, you have probably also been stifled by its notorious propensity to wrinkle. But, by taking a few simple measures you can keep your shirt both from becoming ruined and looking like a shar pei.
While linen is actually one of the strongest natural fibers out there, it’s also kind of a softy when it comes to standing up against modern cleaning products and equipment. When machine cleaning your linen shirts, it’s recommended that you wash them separately with cold or warm water and mild detergents. Avoid bleach at all costs, since this harsh chemical can literally eat a hole right through in your shirt.
Also, for the sake of preventing wrinkles and keeping your shirt in good condition, air-dry your linen shirts when you can, since prolonged exposure to high dryer temperatures can weaken the material. Furthermore, a small percentage of linen shirts are not meant to be cleaned in home dryers at any setting, so be sure to check the care tag first.
But, on the subject of heat exposure, if you just can’t get your linens looking crisp and un-rumpled, we’ve seen it put forward by a number of different sources that ironing (again, on low heat) your linen shirts is most effective when the shirt is still slightly damp. For really fastidious wrinkle fighters, it’s recommended that you iron first the inside, then the outside of the shirt to really get your shirt flat.
Yes, it may seem like a lot of work but linen does take some effort to keep clean and looking nice, especially compared to your more hassle-free items. But despite the relative inconvenience, linen shirts can age like fine wine, becoming softer and more flexible with extended wear and proper care. With just a few simple precautions, you can keep your linens looking great for years to come.
Tags: Fabric, Linen, Shirt Care, Spring/Summer
