Tips for ironing linen

One of the worst things about having linen sheets and clothing in your home can be trying to get them to look smooth and wrinkle-free. However, there are simple steps you can take to make sure your linens always look polished and fresh, no matter what shape they are in after being washed and dried by your laundry service. Here's how to iron linen in the comfort of your own home.

How to iron linen clothes

When ironing a cloth made of linen, turn it inside out to prevent accidental fabric deterioration. Be very cautious if the collar or any other cloth part is stitched. Utilise cushioning on the stitched part atop the garment to protect the stitching and fabric from damage. The thickest areas of the cloth, including the collar, cuffs, or waistline, should be ironed first to see how the iron affects them. Then, adjust the iron temperature and straighten the whole cloth if necessary.

How to iron linen sheets and tablecloths

Spray the linen sheet with water and prepare to iron the underside to avoid any potential damage to the upper side. The quickest way to iron a linen sheet is to fold it halfway and iron that side before flipping it over and ironing its other side. Once clean, put your linen sheet somewhere to allow it to dry and air dry. Outdoors, where the breeze can assist in drying, is the finest place to hang it.

Consider putting your linen sheet in the sunlight can cause the colour to fade more quickly, mainly if the fabric is darker.

Steam ironing

Instead of ironing the linen clothing or sheets, you can also use a fabric steamer if you are unsure how to iron it. Hang the dress over a hanger, lightly moisten it, and set your fabric steamer on high temperature or the linen option, where available. Once the liner is hot, pass it gently over the creased linen until you are pleased with the outcome, remembering that the back is also steamed to remove all creases.

How to properly dry linen

While either hand or machine washing would be OK for linen, the fibres of linen are more likely to be damaged by the temperature of a drying system, so it's preferable to hang or air dry linen instead. It is technically possible to dry linen inside a machine for a brief duration at a low temperature, but it is safer to lay it straight over an air dryer. When uncertain, consult the label to determine how to dry or maintain the item.

Conclusion

The process of ironing linen is not as complicated as it may seem. You can quickly achieve a wrinkle-free finish by following the proper steps and using the right tools. Just be sure to take your time and be careful not to burn the fabric. With a bit of practice, you'll be an expert ironer.