How to Keep Linen From Wrinkling?

Pure Linen is one of the most durable fabrics you can buy. However, it is also prone to wrinkles. But worry not! In today's post, we will highlight how to keep Linen from wrinkling.

Before we cover that, it's important to understand why it wrinkles.

Why Does Linen Wrinkle?

Some of the reasons why Linen wrinkles include:

• Linen is made from rigid Flax fibers. According to a report by Eindhoven University of Technology, Flax fibers are less elastic than wool and cotton. They might deform under pressure, but when that pressure is removed, they do not revert to their original position, which leads to wrinkles and creases.

• Flax fibers consist of cellulose, which has plenty of hydrogen bonds. Under pressure, these bonds can break or reform. Reformed or broken bonds also change the look and position of the fibers, which is visible to the human eye as wrinkles.

• Usually, Linen garments are made using loose weave. That means the fibers can move around freely. That means at the slightest pressure, they can move around causing wrinkles since they don't rebound as easily when pressure is removed.

Now that you know why it wrinkles, it's time to understand how to prevent the same.

How to Keep Linen From Wrinkling?

The section below covers how to keep Linen from wrinkling during washing and storage.

Avoid Wrinkling While Washing

1. Don't Overload the Washing Machine

As highlighted above, any pressure applied to Flax fibers can cause wrinkles. Washing Linen in the washing machine can cause such pressure, but it increases if the machine contains a full load. That's because the fabrics will likely rub against one another, causing wrinkles.

Therefore, the simplest way to avoid wrinkles is to ensure the load is only 50% of the total capacity.

Pro Tip:

You can even go a step further and hand wash Linen. That way, the fabric doesn't experience a lot of pressure.

2. Remove Linen From Washing Machine Sooner

Every extra minute of Linen in the washing machine leads to more twisting and pressure, increasing the wrinkles. So, another way to avoid wrinkles while washing is to remove Linen from the washing machine when it is slightly damp.

3. Dry on a Flat Surface

Drying Linen in a dryer leads to shrinkage because of the application of high heat. Additionally, the tumbling action, of course, causes more wrinkles.

You can avoid all these problems by simply drying damp Linen on a flat surface indoors. Spread it indoors on a flat surface and ensure ample ventilation. You can also turn the fan on for faster drying. That way, you do not need to worry about wear and tear or wrinkling.

4. Try a Steamer

Ironing Linen, even on the lowest heat setting, can weaken Flax fibers, reducing the lifespan of the fabric. Moreover, if you iron Linen at a higher heat setting or iron when it is completely dry, the fibers will not relax properly, leading to wrinkles. Applying uneven pressure while ironing can also lead to unintended creases.

You can avoid all these troubles simply by using a vertical garment steamer. It will remove wrinkles and help you use or store Linen.

Avoid Wrinkling While Storing

1. Use Padded Hangers

Improper storage of Linen is another cause of wrinkles. A simple way to avoid this problem is to store Linen garments, such as blouses and shirts, on padded hangers. This eliminates the probability of wrinkles. 

2. Isolate the Linen Pieces

When hanging Linen pieces, there is another rule of thumb to follow. Always keep space between the padded hangers to avoid rubbing the Linen pieces together. That won't result in any wrinkles or creases because of friction.

3. Don't Overstuff

Hanging might not be the best storage option for Linen bedding. In case of bedding, you might need to store them in drawers and other such spaces. In such a case, follow the tips below to avoid wrinkles:

• Don't try to fit in Linen bedding up to the brim in any compartment or drawer. That will increase wrinkles. Ensure there is plenty of space around the Linen pieces.

• Use garment bags, shoe bags, or compartment dividers to maximize storage space utilization and avoid rubbing.

If you don't want to go through all this hassle to store Linen bedding, simply buy from our Pure Linen Bedding Collection, and we will provide you with a drawstring bag for storage. 

The storage bag will keep your Linen piece safe and wrinkle-free without you having to take any extra steps.

4. Roll Them Instead of Folding Them

When it comes to smaller Linen bedding pieces, it's best to roll them while storing them. This eliminates the probability of wrinkles. It also helps you store more pieces in a small amount of space.

5. Rotate Usage

If you fold Linen pieces while in storage, storing them for long periods can lead to creases. In such a case, it's best to rotate Linen use to ensure you don't store them for long in the same place.

6. Use Shelf Liners

Irrespective of whether you store the Linen pieces in a drawer or a compartment, it's best to first spread shelf liners in the compartment. That will insulate the Linen pieces from the harsh texture of the surface. Such separation will help avoid friction and wrinkles.

Maintenance Tips to Follow to Reduce Linen Wrinkles

Following a few additional tips while maintaining Linen can indeed help you reduce wrinkles. These include

1. Untangle Linen Before Washing

Linen pieces like duvet covers, pillow covers, sheets, and so on can easily get tangled when you collect them for washing. Before loading them into the washing machine, it's best to untangle them to avoid wrinkling.

2. Use Cold Water for Washing

Hot water contracts Flax fibers. Along with contracting, they become more stiff. In such a case, not only do wrinkles appear, but it is also difficult to eliminate such wrinkles. Additionally, according to this research report, Flax fibers can experience thermal degradation when exposed to high temperatures. Even their tensile strength reduces.

That's why it's best to use cold water to wash Linen.

It helps you avoid both shrinkage and wrinkles. Additionally, cold water helps relax the fibers, making Linen softer rather than more rigid.

3. Tissues to the rescue

If you're using the conventional folding method to store Linen pieces, it's best to place tissue papers between the folds. It can help you avoid wrinkles in multiple ways like:

• Tissue paper works as a cushion between the different layers, which reduces the pressure and prevents severe creases.

• Tissue paper reduces friction between layers of Linen fabric by providing a smooth barrier. This, in turn, reduces wrinkles.

• Tissue papers help avoid bunching up of Linen pieces. That means even if they are compressed tightly, they retain their shape, which helps avoid deep wrinkles.

Thus, the simple use of tissue paper can help you store Linen pieces in multiple ways.

Preventing Wrinkles at the Start: Choose High Quality Linen

Apart from the above tips, choosing the right high-quality Linen can also help you avoid creases. Simply choose one of the two options below.

1. Pure Linen

Pure Linen has a natural aging process. As it ages, the fibers relax more, and Linen softens. Consequently, the tendency of Linen to wrinkle also reduces. It gives Linen a draped look rather than a wrinkled look, making it unique.

On the other hand, if you choose a fabric that is a mixture of Linen and another fabric, you can't be 100% sure about the natural aging process, which means the tendency to wrinkle might not reduce.

At Linen Notes, we not only offer 100% pure high quality Linen bedding, but we go a step further since we offer the next option that we will cover below.

2. Pre-washed Pure Linen

Pre-washed Pure Linen undergoes enzymatic or stone washing, which reduces the fiber rigidity. The fabric is also pre-shrunk, so you don't have to worry about shrinkage.

The fibers also soften in the pre-washing process, reducing their tendency to wrinkle. 

Pre-washing also makes the fabric less prone to hard creases. That means when you buy pure, high-quality pre-washed Linen from us, you need not worry much about the wrinkling of Linen.

Faqs

How Do You Unwrinkle 100% Linen?

One of the best ways to unwrinkle 100% Linen is to steam it when damp. In case you don't want to wash it, simply use water spray in the garment steamer or a standalone water spray to dampen it.

How Do You Get Wrinkles Out of Linen Without an Iron?

If you do not want to use an iron or a steamer, put the wrinkled Linen piece into the dryer along with a couple of ice cubes and use the dryer on the lowest heat setting. The ice cubes will create steam, offset the heat impact, and remove the wrinkles. Make sure you extract the Linen piece from the dryer while it is a bit moist.

Does Expensive Linen Wrinkle?

Yes, expensive Linen does wrinkle because that is the property of the Flax fibers from which it is made. According to this report, Flax based fabrics have poor crease recovery by nature. However, you can buy pre-washed Linen like the one sold in our Linen Bedding Collection, as it won't shrink and is less likely to wrinkle.

Are Linen Sheets Always Wrinkled?

Yes, Linen sheets do wrinkle, but their tendency to wrinkle reduces as they age.

Buy High Quality Linen

While Linen does wrinkle, following our guide above can greatly prevent wrinkling. This helps you get the same durable sheets without the added maintenance of removing wrinkles.

The simplest solution, of course, is to go with our Pre-Washed Pure Linen Bedding Collection so that you don't have to worry about wrinkles or shrinkage.