Uncover how to dry linen clothes at home so they’ll remain immaculate, wash after wash, and from the clothesline to your closet.
Once you’ve mastered how to wash linen perfectly, it’s time for the next step in the cleaning process, the drying—and it’s no less important. Especially when it comes to drying linen clothing, which requires a gentler touch than linen bed sheets.
In our blog, we’ll share the best ways to air-dry linen pieces and how to safely dry them in the dryer if you can’t dry them naturally. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions, such as how long it takes linen to dry and whether the fabric shrinks.
Do linen clothes dry quickly?
Step-by-step instructions for drying linen clothes
Everything about linen clothing is effortless, from style to maintenance. You don’t need fancy detergents or equipment to keep it in flawless condition, as long as you follow our step-by-step instructions. If you have minimal experience caring for linen, it’s best to try the gentlest method first.
Air dry method (the gentlest):
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Try to take your washed linen pieces out of the machine as soon as the cycle has finished.
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When the linen is still damp, it’s the best time to air dry it.
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Lay it flat on a clothesline or a padded hanger. If the weather allows, dry it outside in the breeze; only make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight; otherwise, the colour could fade.
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If you need to line dry linen indoors, try to at least open a window or turn on the fan to allow for extra airflow.
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Once your linen piece is dry, it can be slightly stiff, yet this is nothing abnormal. The more you wash and clean it, the softer it becomes. Until then, you can soften the garment by giving it a quick all-over steam.
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Finally, make sure your linen clothing is completely dry before storing it.
Dryer method:
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You can put linen clothing and linen bed sheets in the drying machine, both linen blends and 100% pure linen.
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Take linen from the dryer while it’s still slightly damp and let it completely dry outside the dryer.
DO’s
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Always check the garment tag for any special care instructions
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Choose the lowest heat setting or no heat at all
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Choose a short dry cycle (start with 6 minutes, then work your way higher)
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Place the linen clothing in a garment bag for extra protection
DON’T’s
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Don’t exceed a dryer temperature of 30C, it could cause the linen to shrink
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Don’t leave the linen in the dryer for a long period of time
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Don’t put delicate items in the dryer; instead, air dry them
Now that your pieces are almost entirely dry, it’s time for the next step. Achieve a smooth finish with our tips and tricks for ironing linen clothes.
Does linen shrink?
We’ve dedicated an entire blog to talking about drying linen clothes the right way because this step of the washing process needs to be done correctly, or shrinkage can occur. So, it’s best to tread carefully when cleaning and drying.
When does linen shrink? It can happen if the textile comes into contact with hot water or high temperatures. If it’s not washed or dried gently, linen can shrink a relatively small amount of 5%, which isn’t a complete disaster and can be resolved if you act swiftly.
Why does linen shrink? The answer is in the way that it’s made. Linen fabric is crafted from stretched woven flax fibres. The stretching stage creates tension and holds the fibres in place. When you add heat or water to this equation, it causes the linen fibres to relax and become loose, not tight. If there is too much relaxation of these fibres, it can lead to shrinking.
Do linen clothes dry quickly?
In warm weather, quality linen shirts will be completely dry in a few hours. Thanks to this natural fabric’s wonderful characteristics, it can be air-dried without too much time or effort. To protect the colour of your linens, keep them in the shade and away from direct sunlight.
How to dry linen clothes to keep them from wrinkling?
If you want to discover how to keep linen from wrinkling during the drying stage, read on. These tips may seem minimal, but when combined, they will gift you with crisp linen pants.
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Act quickly when washing linen clothes: take your linen pieces out of the washing machine as soon as the cycle is finished so they don’t have to stay crumpled for long.
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Air dry linen when damp: when linen is damp, it’s at its most malleable, so it’s the best time to flatten it out and remove any major wrinkles.
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Dry linen pieces flat: take a few extra seconds to smooth out the linen before leaving it to air dry because it will help keep them wrinkle-free. It’s also important to lay them flat to dry, not hang them up, or the linen could stretch and wrinkle.
Can you put linen in the dryer?
Gloomy skies and rainy days can make you question air drying your linens outside. So, can you put them in the dryer?
It wouldn’t be our first option, but everyday pieces that are more durable, like linen tops, can be placed in the dryer. It’s essential to keep the temperature and cycle on the gentle side. To take the best care of this natural fabric, choose the low heat or no heat setting.
It also helps to experiment because there will be slight differences depending on the type of linen. Bed sheets are more heavy-duty than linen dresses.
We recommend that the very first time you dry pieces in the linen, choose the shortest drying time possible, and then make tweaks. A drying time of approximately 6 minutes would be a gentle drying time to try for linen.
Delicate linens need a gentler touch, so try to refrain from using the dryer to prevent shrinkage and harm to the fabric’s surface. For example, pieces with pleating or shoulder pads shouldn’t be put in the dryer, it could ruin them. Even on low heat, the metallic tumbler of the dryer could scratch and damage the linens.
How to reverse linen shrinkage?
Alarm bells start going off. You’ve accidentally put your favourite linen maxi dress in the dryer, and it’s your vacation must-have. Luckily, it’s a mistake that can be fixed without an excessive amount of money or time, so you’ll soon be packed and ready for your next European getaway.
1. Let the shrunken linen soak in lukewarm water: a good soak in cool water will do wonders for shrunken linen. Make sure the water is not too hot or too cold—lukewarm is the sweet spot. If you like, you can add a couple of drops of mild laundry detergent to the water. Leave at least 5 minutes for the linen to soak.
2. Wash out the detergent: if you’ve used laundry detergent, it needs to be rinsed out. The most straightforward way is to run the linen under a tap with lukewarm water. Then, dry it by rolling it up in a towel and gently pressing out the excess water.
3. Stretch out the linen: lay the damp linen flat on a clothes hanger. Take each side of the linen clothing and stretch it out slightly.
Choose the next step based on how gentle you want to be. The steamer method is the gentlest, while the iron is a little harsher.
4. Iron the linen bigger: while the linen is still damp, you can use the iron to enlarge its shape. Gently stretch out the corners of the garment, and then iron the stretched part into place.
5. Use a steamer: for more delicate pieces, you can use a steamer to set the stretched-out linen in place. Then, place weights on top of the fabric to hold everything in place, and let the linen air dry naturally.
Conclusion: How to dry linen clothes
We hope we’ve given you the confidence to dry your linen clothes free of stress. You’ll be able to wear and wash your favourite pieces again and again, now that you’ll be certain they won’t shrink or stretch during the drying process.
Uncover our top tips on how to dry linen clothes so there’s no shrinkage or damage:
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The gentlest method is air drying: if you’re very connected to your linen pieces and would hate to see them go, choose to air dry them. The best method is to lay the linen clothing flat on a clothesline outdoors and away from direct light.
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You can put linen clothes in the dryer: without worry, dry your linens in the dryer, just as long as you choose a low heat or no heat setting. For delicate pieces that feature embroidery, lace details or ultra-lightweight fabric, it’s recommended to avoid the dryer because the metal parts of the machine can cause damage.
