How to wash linen. All the subtleties of washing things from natural linen. Hand wash embroidery

Linen clothing looks very beautiful and never goes out of fashion, it is comfortable to walk in it, the fabric allows the skin to breathe. But many are interested in whether linen shrinks when washed. Indeed, if the product is washed incorrectly, it can shrink and be hopelessly damaged. Let's look at some tips to avoid this.

How to wash linen?

Experts advise washing linen products by hand, however, some items that have a special label can be loaded into the machine. In this case, you should choose the most delicate mode.

It is very important to pay attention to the following points.

• For white linen, ordinary washing powder is suitable. But dyed items are best washed with a special powder for fine fabrics, this will minimize the likelihood of color damage.
• The use of air conditioner is acceptable, especially when it comes to the first wash of a new item.
• The water temperature should not be higher than 40°C (but the best option is 30°C). Otherwise linen shrinks.
• Use plenty of water when hand washing. If a machine is used, the drum should not be overloaded.
• Products made of delicate fabrics are contraindicated in contact with chlorine, therefore, in case of severe contamination, bleaches that do not contain chlorine should be used. Do not use bleach when washing dyed items.

These tips will help not to spoil the product and avoid shrinkage. If a thing made of synthetic linen is still slightly shrunk after washing, it can be saved - just iron it through wet gauze.

Linen products are best washed by hand, especially for 100% natural fabrics. First you need to choose a detergent. It has the following requirements.

• The composition should include components that increase the alkalinity of water, which are indicated on the packaging as soda or silicates. They will speed up the stain removal process and will not damage the fabric.
• It is very important to ensure that the powder does not contain chlorine. Therefore, any stain removers are contraindicated.
• For unpainted products, it is possible to use laundry soap.

According to most homeowners, the best remedy for washing linen products is Sarma powder, which removes stains well and does not spoil the fabric.

Handwash flax is carried out in a large basin, this will help the detergent to more effectively act on pollution. It is equally important to rinse the product thoroughly, otherwise the remaining powder particles will oxidize and cause damage to the fabric.

The last rinse of a colored item can be done with the addition of vinegar (1 tablespoon per 2 liters of water), this will help restore brightness to the colors.

It is impossible to soak linen products for a long time, the optimal time is no more than an hour.

Machine wash

Since linen shrinks when washed, you should choose very carefully. suitable mode. So, the temperature should be no more than 30-40 ° C, the number of revolutions per minute - 400-500. It is also advisable to select the extra rinse option in order to completely wash out the remaining detergent from the material.

Consider the basic rules for washing linen products in a typewriter.

• The drum should be loaded no more than 2/3. If it is overloaded, the quality of the wash will deteriorate, and the things themselves will be severely wrinkled.
• White and colored items are washed separately, it is also important to sort the multi-colored linen by color, as the fabric sheds.
• Even more protection of the product can be obtained by using special covers for linen.
• If the product has colored embroidery, wash it without pre-soaking, and add salt to the rinse aid compartment.
• When rinsing things from colored linen, vinegar (1-2 tablespoons) is poured into the rinse aid compartment or citric acid is poured.

It is important to remember that natural linen can shrink even with the most delicate setting. washing machine and following all the rules. But this can be corrected when ironing: go over the product with an iron through wet gauze, folded several times.

First wash

Consider the basic rules for the first washing of products made from natural linen. Experts advise not to load products into the machine, but to wash them by hand in order to understand the characteristics of the fabric. However, such material can also be washed in a machine without powder and conditioner, using a soap Indian walnut. They operate like this:

1. a bag of 5 nuts is placed in the drum.
2. wash at temperatures up to 40 ° C in a delicate mode.

In some cases, it may be necessary to achieve the opposite effect - wash the linen so that it sits down. For example, if you purchased an item that is one size larger. The properties of the fabric will help "fit" the product.

To do this, hand or machine wash at a temperature of 90 ° C.

Stain removal

Do not wash linen in hot water, otherwise the product will shrink and be damaged. Therefore, if a stain has been planted, you should use the following advice: lather the contaminated area laundry soap, then soak in powder for an hour and then wash. The fresher the stain, the easier it is to get rid of.

The table shows the most popular ways to remove stains from linen products.

Washing linen and removing stains from them is not difficult, but the main thing is to remember: the sooner you start removing the stain, the more likely you are to get rid of it.

Drying and ironing rules

Experts advise doing so.

1. After washing, do not wring out the clothes, otherwise it will strongly doubt, wrinkles will form, which will be difficult to get rid of even with the help of an iron.
2. Drying products is best in a horizontal position,
3. It is necessary to start ironing while the thing is still slightly damp. An overdried product is problematic to iron.
4. It is recommended to iron from the front side.
5. After ironing, the product should be hung up so that it dries completely.

Linen should be dried away from heating appliances, protected from direct sunlight.

So, linen items shrink in hot water, so you should be very careful when choosing a mode in a washing machine or determining the temperature during hand washing. But this property of the fabric can be used and, if necessary, to achieve shrinkage in order to reduce the product by 1 size.

Clothing made from natural fabrics is always in demand. Linen is considered the most popular and favorite material. It differs from other types of fabric in that even after several months of wearing, it does not lose appearance, but retains rich colors and softness.

The main thing is to properly care for flax so that it does not sit down. Hard water and detergents can aggressively affect the structure of the fabric. Washing linen items requires special skills as they tend to shrink. How to wash linen correctly so as not to spoil the product?

Wash linen in the washing machine or by hand

Natural linen fabric, if it does not contain artificial fabrics, is a delicate product. Therefore, it is desirable to wash it by hand and at a low temperature. But modern washing machines are equipped with programs for washing delicate items, these programs are just right for linen.

If your washing machine has a built-in extra rinse function, then it is better to use it too during the washing process to get rid of residues. detergents from fabric fibers. If there is no such function, rinse things yourself manually additionally.

Linen shrinks easily, so linen often shrinks after washing. No one will like it if their favorite dress is two sizes smaller.

Avoid spinning in the washing machine. And usually the delicate wash programs do not include spinning. It is best to let the water drain on its own and only then begin drying.

• The main thing, when using a washing machine, is to wash at the right temperature. Information about the temperature regime is always placed on the product label. Do not exceed the indicator if the item says +40. Washing at a higher temperature will cause the item to shrink. If there is no information on the product, do not use water above 40 degrees.

The high temperature will damage the tissue structure. The thing will become rough and lose its properties.

• If you decide to wash your linen dress manually, then you need to wet the product, lather it with laundry soap and leave it for an hour in warm water. After an hour, you need to wash the product by adding washing powder and one tablespoon of vinegar to the water.

What is the best powder to use when washing linen products

Best for linen fabrics washing powders with a low degree of foaming. All automatic powders belong to this type of powders. Do not use detergents containing oxygen bleaches or fresheners to wash colored linen fabrics. They may damage the color of the product.

Do not wash linen with chlorine. It destroys the structure of the fabric and breaks its strength. Bleach can also leave white spots on linen.

If a stain appears on a linen item:

• Try to remove it as quickly as possible, fresh stains are easier to remove.
• Before using a stain remover, try applying it to an inconspicuous area of ​​your clothing. If the paint does not come off, then this tool can be used.
• It is better to choose stain removers for colored fabrics. They are softer on the fabric.
• After treatment, wash the item and rinse well to remove product residue from the fibers.

Proper drying and ironing of linen products

After washing, it is not recommended to strongly squeeze linen products. Otherwise, a lot of folds will form. Straighten the clothes, drive off the water with your hands and hang to dry. Flax should not be dried in the sun, it is best to choose a well-ventilated area.

Do not overdry things, linen is best ironed when it is slightly damp. If you missed this moment and the product is already dry, spray it with water during ironing.

Also, do not iron the item dry. It should be smooth and raw. To dry completely, hang the already ironed item to dry.

The linen thing sat down after washing. What to do?

What to do if a linen thing has sat down after washing. After improper washing, linen is able to deform, it shrinks, but you can return things to their original size.

• Wash clothes in warm water.
• Drive off the rest of the water with your hands, do not squeeze the product itself.
• Hang to dry in a ventilated area.
• Don't wait for the item to dry. Iron a slightly damp product with an iron, stretching from the center to the edges. Do this until the thing is the right size.

How long your favorite linen dress will last will depend on how you wash the linen. Proper Care and careful washing will allow you to enjoy a natural product for a long time.

Not really

Reading time: 5 minutes

If you already own natural linen products or are going to buy them, then you probably know that they are very durable and wash well. Moreover, the more you wash them, the softer and more pleasant they become.
But also during washing, you may encounter some difficulties. To avoid them and preserve the original appearance of the product and properties, you need to follow some simple rules.

But there are also disadvantages - 100% natural fabric can wrinkle, stretch, as well as fade and shrink when washed.

Now linen fabrics undergo a special treatment, which adds elasticity to the fibers and allows the product not to wrinkle. For the same purpose, synthetic fibers are added to the fabric during production. The probability of shrinkage of finished products is very small, since before manufacturing, the material is usually washed and dried on purpose, after which it does not shrink again. Therefore, it is important to choose high-quality things.

And yet, even such a durable fabric can deteriorate, lose its attractiveness and some positive qualities. Aggressive detergents, chlorine bleach, rubbing and twisting are all to be avoided.

How to wash better

Gentle hand wash is preferred. Even if there is an icon on the manufacturer's label that allows washing in an automatic machine, you are sure of the high quality of the fabric or you do not have time to wash it, wash the item by hand for the first time. If you do not notice shrinkage, and the product retains its brightness, there are no stains or stains on it, then you can continue to use washing machine.

Nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that they are different in thickness, density, structure of threads (they can be knitted from short or long fibers).

Detergent selection

• Unpainted garments can be washed with ordinary chlorine-free powder or laundry soap. Chlorine can damage the fiber structure and make a strong and durable item brittle.
• On undyed fabrics, bleaches that do not contain chlorine, such as oxygen, can be used. They gently affect the fibers without destroying their structure.
• You can also add water softeners, balms, fabric softeners.

colored things from linen fabric it is better to wash with special liquid detergents, powder for washing colored and children's clothes.
Thin and loose fabrics can only be washed by hand in warm water.

Machine wash

The first thing you should pay attention to is the number of things you download. There shouldn't be many of them. Linen is very hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb large amounts of water. If there are too many things, then the amount of water supplied to the drum will not be enough for a full wash and rinse. If particles of detergent remain in the fibers, the product may turn yellow.

1. The mode should be selected "for delicate fabrics", "hand wash".

2. The water temperature for colored and non-colored flax is different:

• undyed natural linen (color can be from beige to gray-brown, interspersed) can be washed in hot water (40-60 ° C) and even boiled;
• colored things are washed at a water temperature of 30-40 ° C.

3. The number of revolutions should be within 400-500. At higher ones, folds and creases will appear on the fabric, which will be very difficult to smooth out.

4. If the settings allow, turn off the automatic spin.

Drying

• After washing, do not twist and wring out products.
• It is necessary to let excess water drain, straighten and hang them in a well-ventilated room or on the street.
• Do not dry in the sun.

How to iron

• As long as things are not completely dry, but remain slightly damp, they can be ironed. If they are too dry, it will be very difficult to smooth out all the irregularities.
• Each iron has a special linen mode. This is a fairly high temperature.
• Need to iron with wrong side. Colored and light-colored items can be ironed on both sides, but dark ones can only be ironed from the inside, as traces may remain on them from a hot iron.
• You can additionally moisten the fabric with a spray bottle or with the special function of the iron.

If, nevertheless, strong creases and folds have formed during the washing process, and additional moistening with a sprayer does not help, then you should iron the product through a damp cloth. To do this, wet the cut with a clean fine fabric(gauze) with water, wring out and put on the thing. Iron with an iron until completely dry. The wrinkles should be completely smoothed out.

Linen items are unpretentious in care, but to keep clothes in perfect condition it is important to follow a simple set of rules on how to wash linen.

Washing linen: temperature and shrinkage

Durable linen fabric is very resistant to washing at high temperatures, and is not even afraid of the digestion process. But do not rush to rejoice and send linen clothes into boiling water with a light heart. All natural fabrics without exception, shrink slightly when exposed to hot water.

Does linen shrink when washed and how much? Natural linen shirt after boiling, it will shrink by at least 5%, which means that the thing will become one size smaller. Linen with synthetic impurities shrinks less, but it also tolerates temperatures of 90 - 100 degrees much worse. After the fifth boil, semi-synthetics will thin to the point of tearing the fabric.

Good to know

Before choosing a temperature for washing linen, it is necessary to determine the quality of the material. Natural linen has natural shades, it is cool and smooth to the touch, not prone to wrinkling. If visual inspection of the fabric is not enough, set fire to the linen thread. Only ash will remain from the natural thread, the mixed material will melt.

If the newly purchased clothes are too big for you, you can artificially reduce them by washing:

• At what temperature should linen be washed so that shrinkage reaches the coveted five percent, equal to a decrease in one size? Maximum shrinkage of the material can only be achieved by boiling and subsequent drying near heating devices.
• Flax shrinks by 2 - 3%, which corresponds to a decrease in half the size when washing in the automatic mode at 800 rpm. The water temperature should be at least 80 - 90 degrees. A similar effect can be obtained if the boiled flax is carefully straightened and dried in cool air.
• The minimum shrinkage of 1% is almost imperceptible, it can occur when washing in the temperature range from 60 to 80 degrees.

Warning!

In pursuit of reducing the size range of clothes, you should not get carried away with washing linen by boiling and cleaning at a very high temperature. No matter how durable linen is, if it is constantly subjected to aggressive washing, natural fibers will become thinner.

Video about washing, ironing and caring for linen items

Washing linen in automatic mode

Modern household appliances have a special option for washing dense rough materials with a high degree of resistance to a temperature of 90 o. To prevent linen from shrinking, you should not wash things in this innovative mode, since in addition to shrinkage, slight deformation and the appearance of micro-tears on the material are possible. If you need to remove a stubborn stain, it is best to soak your linens in a concentrated solution before washing them in the machine.

Today, clothing made from natural materials is very popular. Linen is one of the most popular textile materials. It differs from other fabrics in that it gets better, softer and whiter over time. How to wash linen correctly so that things from it serve longer and have an impeccable appearance?

Before washing linen, pay attention to the washing conditions. It is worth remembering that eco-friendly, light and beautiful linen can lose its original appearance if you use powder with aggressive components and hard water for washing and dry it intensively in a drying chamber.

Hand wash or machine wash?

How to wash linen - by hand or in a typewriter? It's best if you do it manually. But if the washing machine has a special mode for washing things made of delicate fabrics, then you can wash linen clothes in this mode.

Contact of linen with chlorine should be avoided, as this can make the fibers of the fabric much less durable. Chlorine is often an ingredient in bleach powders and stain removers. Therefore, when buying a powder, carefully look at its composition. Powders and other products intended for children's clothes rarely contain this aggressive substance, so you can choose this line of laundry products.

White linen can only be washed with oxygen bleaches, and rolled, dyed or embroidered linen excludes any bleaches.

How to keep the color of linen

Colored linen can shed, before washing linen, you need to take this fact into account. To prevent this trouble from happening to you, you need to use powders containing colored granules. They are specially designed to preserve the color of the product. You can wash colored linen with detergents for delicate fine fabrics. At the same time, you can be sure that the product will remain in its original form.

The fabric should move freely in the water so that the color does not streak. Linen is highly absorbent, so it should be washed in in large numbers water. Linen products must be rinsed very thoroughly to remove all particles of detergent. If you add a little vinegar when rinsing colored linen, the colors will remain brighter.

Shrinkage of linen during washing

Does linen shrink when washed? Yes, a linen product, if it does not contain synthetic additives, tends to shrink slightly in size after washing. But at the first fitting, it will stretch again.

If you iron a thing through dense fabric, it will return to its original size.

Choosing the right temperature

It is better to use the washing mode, the temperature in which does not exceed 30-40 degrees, especially if you are washing colored items. Flax has a porous fiber structure, and under the influence high temperature water dye may be rejected.

Stain removal

Remember that the fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove. Before using a stain remover, check the durability of dyes. To do this, apply the product to the fabric in an inconspicuous place, wait 2-5 minutes and rinse. If the fabric has discolored, do not use this stain remover. Do not add stain remover directly to the washing machine. It is better to use a stain remover for colored materials, it has the mildest effect. After treatment, the product must be thoroughly washed and rinsed. This will remove the remaining stains and products.

How to dry and iron linen

Do not twist linen before drying. The number of wrinkles will decrease if you straighten the product, shape it and smooth it. To avoid shrinking, the fabric should be dried in a well-ventilated place and not exposed to direct sunlight. Do not wait until the product is completely dry. This can lead to loss of natural moisture and the item will become brittle. Ironing will be easier if the fabric remains slightly damp.

For ironing linen items, you should use a well-heated iron with a humidifier. Iron the product until it is smooth, but not too dry. After that, it must be hung or laid out for final drying.