Linen is one of the oldest textiles in the world, and one of the most forgiving — provided it is treated with a little common sense. The linen used across our warm-weather pieces softens progressively with wear and washing. Here is how to keep it at its best.
Washing
Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle, with garments turned inside out and fastened. Use a mild liquid detergent; avoid bleach and optical brighteners, which weaken flax fibres and dull natural tones such as sand and navy. Wash with similar colours — linen releases and absorbs dye more readily than cotton.
Drying
Never tumble dry linen at high heat: it is the single fastest way to shrink a tailored piece and set permanent creases. Instead, reshape the garment while damp and line dry it out of direct sunlight. If you must use a machine, choose the lowest heat and remove the garment while slightly damp.
Pressing
Linen presses best when damp. Use a medium-hot iron with steam on the reverse of the fabric, paying attention to collars, plackets and hems. For a more relaxed, holiday-appropriate finish, simply hang the garment after line drying and let gravity do the work. A degree of natural crease is part of linen's character, not a flaw.
Storage
Store linen clean, dry and folded on a shelf, or hung on broad-shouldered hangers for tailored jackets. Avoid plastic covers, which trap moisture; a cotton garment bag allows the fibre to breathe between wears.
Questions about a specific piece? Write to us at contact@halsworthhayes.shop and we will be glad to advise.