Proper care of linen shirts: Washing, drying, ironing
Why linen shirts are ideal for summer
Linen is a natural material with excellent properties, especially in summer. A linen shirt
- dries faster, even if you sweat
- allows air to circulate well thanks to its open fabric structure - every draught has a cooling effect
- has a naturally casual, slightly crumpled look
This typical creased look is often called "natural ruffle". It is not a fault, but part of the character of linen.
Washing linen shirts correctly
Washing temperature and detergent
-
Colored or natural-colored linen shirts:
Wash at around 30 degrees Celsius with mild detergent. This is gentle on the fibers and preserves the colors. -
White linen shirts:
Can generally also be washed at higher temperatures. You can use heavy-duty detergents or detergents with oxygen bleach.
Oxygen bleach is a bleaching agent that works with active oxygen. It brightens white laundry without damaging the fibers as much as classic chlorine bleach.
Spin and speed
- Select a low spin speed, for example 900 revolutions per minute.
- The higher the spin speed, the more creased the shirt will be.
Spin speed means how fast the drum of the washing machine rotates per minute. Fewer revolutions mean less creasing, but also a slightly longer drying time.
Color care
- Always wash dark and intense colors separately or only with similarly intense colors.
- Otherwise there is a risk of discoloration, especially with strong tones.
After washing: Dry and shape
- Empty the machine quickly at the end of the wash cycle.
- Carefully pull each shirt into shape along the seams and stretch it slightly.
- This will align the fabric panels and smooth out some of the creases.
- It is best to hang up on a hanger.
- The shirt will dry evenly and keep its shape better.
This careful smoothing after washing can often save you ironing or at least make it much easier. The natural crease structure of the linen is retained and ensures the desired "natural ruffled" look.
Ironing linen shirts
Moisture and steam are crucial
Linen is almost impossible to iron smooth when dry. Two points are important
:- Only iron linen shirts when they are slightly dry.
This means: do not leave to dry completely immediately after washing, but iron while the fabric still has some residual moisture. - Use plenty of steam when ironing.
This will make the shirt as smooth as possible and give the linen a pleasantly soft surface.
The so-called hard feel of linen after drying - i.e. the somewhat stiffer feel - is significantly reduced by moisture and steam.
These principles also apply to cotton shirts, but linen usually needs a little more moisture to become really smooth.
Iron dark and intense colors correctly
Dark or very brightly colored linen shirts should be ironed inside out
:- Turn the shirt inside out, i.e. with the inside facing out.
- Then iron on the inside of the fabric.
This will avoid shiny spots on the fabric surface.
"Ironing inside out" is often referred to as "inside out". It always means the same thing: do not iron on the visible outside of the shirt.
Linen and advice at UNIT Hamburg
Well-kept linen shirts will accompany you for many summers and develop a beautiful, individual patina.
You will find a selection of high-quality linen shirts in our UNIT Hamburg store in Hamburg's city center, in the Hanseviertel district. We offer personal, no-frills advice on fit, quality and proper care. So your shirt fits your everyday life and stays in shape for a long time.
Online at unithamburg.de, we also stand for carefully selected brands and materials, far away from big logos and short trends.
