It took me many years to finally splurge on a collection of organic linen bedding, but now that I have, I swear by the luxuriously soft and intimate feeling when I wake up in the morning. Linen bedding does come with some special care instructions if you hope to keep it beautiful for years to come.
How to wash linen bedding
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing your organic linen bedding. Wash your organic linen bedding using a biodegradable, natural kind of soap, which won't harm the environment or wildlife. It is not advisable to use chlorine bleaches. If you want to use a fabric softener, it should be non-silicone-based or an eco-friendly wool ball tossed into the dryer. Do this to minimize the impact of the chemicals present in the fabric softeners and chlorine bleaches on the environment.
Organic linen beddings are best washed with a mild detergent that was made for cleaning soft fabrics. Wait until the detergent is completely diluted in the water before you place your linens inside your washing machine. Undiluted detergents can cause staining. I usually recommend washing by hand or using the gentle cycle on your washing machine.
Use cold water for washing bright and dark-colored beddings, and use warm water to wash neutral and white bedding. Never use hot water when washing to limit fading and shrinkage. The good thing about organic linen beddings is that with time, they become softer.
Always wash your organic linen bedding on your machine's gentle cycle as a way to protect its beautiful, natural fiber. Always ensure that your organic linen beddings move around freely in the washing machine. Don't overcrowd your washing machine with very many clothes at once, as this can cause your organic linen beddings to lose their shape. As with any other laundry, you need to ensure that all the clothing in the washing machine is of the same color, weight, and washing instructions. You should avoid washing organic linen with heavy clothes such as jeans or bath towels.
How to dry organic linens
Linen doesn’t take long to dry, and when they are over-dried, they can feel really stiff. This is why I usually opt to skip the dryer altogether and hang dry my bedding. However, if you prefer to use a dryer, there’s an easy trick. Turn your linens inside out and dry them on low heat. Remove them from the dryer while they are still a bit damp, and finish with an air dry on the bed or on a hang line.
Useful tip: Remove your linen bedding from the dryer while they’re still damp and put them back on the bed to reduce wrinkles
Is it necessary to iron organic linen bedding?
It’s definitely not necessary, but you’ll have to get used to the wrinkled and “lived in” feeling that comes with linen. If you’re going for a draped and relaxed feeling in your home, then skip the fuss and accept the natural beauty of wrinkled bedding. If you have the time, then I really recommend the tip above to reduce wrinkles.
How to remove stains from linen bedding
Whenever possible, remove stains from your organic linen beddings as soon as they happen. If you leave dirt, oil, grease, and other stains to sit for too long, they will absorb into the beddings, making their removal a tiresome and difficult. If you have a minor stain spot on your textiles, soak the stain in a water-detergent solution or wash it with club soda.
In case that fails to work for you, use some dish soap on the stain and gently massage it until the dirt comes off, and then wash it off as you would usually do.
Some stains are tougher and might come off by sprinkling baking soda on the stains and then add a few drops of vinegar. Blot the stain with a paper towel to soak up the moisture, and repeat the procedure until you are satisfied with the results. Don't scrub the stain.
Remove ink stains from your organic linen beddings by moistening them with milk and let the milk be absorbed. Wash as normal.
For blood stains, dilute them with cold water as soon as possible, and wash as usual.
Clean wine stains from your organic linen beddings by moistening them with soda water and wash as usual.
To eliminate fruit, coffee, tea, and chocolate stains from your organic linen beddings, rub the spot with white vinegar, alcohol, and ammonia.
When cleaning away candle wax marks from your organic linen beddings, first scratch off the candle wax stain with a non-sharp object and absorb the residue with blotting paper and warm water.
If the stains fail to disappear, try soaking your organic linen beddings in a good washing detergent or dissolve 3.5 ounces of sodium borate in boiling water, and then add enough cold water to get 1½ gallons, and soak your beddings for an hour.
Storing your bedding
When storing linen bedding, ensure that they are completely dry to avoid amassing mildew on them. Natural fibers such as linen need to breathe, and this makes it necessary to store them in dry, cool, well-ventilated areas and away from direct sunlight. Don't keep your bedding in a plastic bag but instead, use linen bags or reuse old pillowcases and sheets for storage.
In case you want to store your linens inside a closet, you have two choices. Either hang or store them flat. The closet should be cool, dry, and well-ventilated. For long-term storage, keep them in acid-free tissue paper between the folds. Don't use regular tissue paper as it can stain your white linen beddings. Use tissue paper to help soften any folded creases, which eventually weaken the bedding fibers. Don't be tempted to store your organic linen beddings inside your bathroom because the moist and warmer environment there may lead to mildew. If you want, you can also add scented sachets to avoid stains.
When in storage, organize your organic linen beddings by color. Keep the neutral shade beddings in a separate place from the brighter shades.
Useful tips for extended durability
-
Change and wash your organic linen beddings regularly. Wash at least once a week or whenever you feel like your beddings need some washing.
-
If you have makeup and other skincare products on your body, avoid direct contact with your organic linen beddings as you may leave behind stains and marks, which may take more effort to get off.
-
Don’t use sharp objects near your organic linen beddings to reduce the chances of tearing this natural fabric.
-
When washing your organic linen beddings, always fold them completely.
-
To achieve a pristine look, roll your freshly washed and slightly damp organic linen bed sheets and put them in a plastic bag inside a freezer for two hours. Afterward, steam those sheets with a scorching iron, and they will be silky smooth when you store them in your closet or make the bed with them.
-
If you want your organic linen beddings to be stiffer, wash them as usual without a softener and dry them flat or on a line to give them a lovely crisp feel. They will get softer as you sleep in them.
-
In case you want your organic linen beddings to be super buttery soft, wash them in cool water with fabric softener at a temperature, which lies 30 to 40 degrees on a gentle setting.
-
If you have direct sunlight coming into your bedroom, try to rotate your dark-colored linen to keep it from fading in one place.
-
Minimize wear and tear of your organic linen beddings by changing them once every week.
-
You should use eucalyptus-based detergent on your organic linen beddings because they are gentler than other detergents on such beddings.
-
Always ensure that your organic linen beddings are completely dry before keeping them in your linen closet.
-
If you have hard water with a high lime content, it is right for you to use a softening agent, especially if you are washing organic linen beddings with dark colors.
-
Always wash printed organic linen beddings inside out to avoid damaging the print patterns.
What are the benefits of using organic linen bedding?
-
Organic linen beddings comprise microscopic breaks in their structure, which provide a subtle massaging effect on your skin.
-
Linen is highly breathable. It is air permeable and also heat conducting, which lets it keep you warm in the winter and cool in hot weather. This will help contribute to a good night’s sleep regardless of the weather conditions.
-
The material of linen beddings can absorb as much as 20% of its weight in moisture before it feels damp. This ability to wick moisture away from your body helps keep your skin feeling cool and fresh.
-
Nearly all organic linen bedding have a unique, luxurious texture and are soft, making them feel comfy for relaxing incredibly after having a long day. On a brighter note, these bedding get more peaceful and more supple after each wash and also get better as they age.
-
Linen bed sheets repel dirt, which makes them a good option for sleeping on for a minimum of four days.
-
Because of unique filtering, bacterial resistance, ventilating, moisture absorbent, and evaporating capacities, linen bed sheets are an excellent choice for a good night's sleep. Organic linen beddings have anti-allergic properties, making them a good option for people with skin diseases, allergies, and sensitive skin. Such beddings are great for babies and children's skins.
Just like any luxury item, linen bedding is an investment that, with proper care, will last for many years to come.