The Linen Care Guide

At Kotn, we believe in buying less and enjoying longer. A process of sustainability that starts with us responsibly producing our garments and home essentials, and ends with you and the care you take for your pieces.

Made from highly durable natural fibers, with proper love, linen clothes and bedding can retain their shape, integrity and incredible texture to live on in your home and closet for years to come. With the introduction of our new effortless Linen Bedding Collection, here are our care instructions to give your linen its longest life.

Linen clothing and bedding can and should be washed regularly, as its durable flax plant fibres will feel softer on your skin with every wash. For linen, the right temperature for washing is lukewarm water, somewhere between 40 and 60 degrees celsius. Like most natural fabric, both very hot water and very cold water can create strain on the linen fibers that can lead to breakage or shrinking.

Unlike delicate fabrics that need hand washing, a washing machine will do the trick here. Place your linen fabric in the machine on its own or with garments of similar textures and colours. Try a warm-water setting with a gentle cycle to best protect the fibres, and avoid bleach or fabric softeners.

We recommend using a mild detergent, and just 1/2 to 2/3 of the amount suggested on the packaging, as we often overestimate how much is needed. Even better, opt for a natural or non-toxic detergent pod or strip instead of the single-use plastic containers on the market.

To treat stains, spot-treat your linen garments or bedding by blotting the area with a gentle, non-toxic cleaning solution and cold water. Avoid heat—high temperatures can set the stain. Wash your linen sheets immediately, placing them in a washing machine as normal.

Pre-shrunken linen, like our bedding, is safe for the dryer. For best care, use a low-temperature setting. A quick-drying fabric, linen won’t need as much time as cotton or other materials. Start with half your typical drying cycle and then see if you need more time.

Adding an eco-friendly wool dryer ball can also reduce drying time by allowing more airflow, elongating the life of your linen.

If you're working with linen clothing that's not pre-shrunk or you aren't sure, you can hang your pieces to dry, or try a hybrid approach to speed up the process. Place your linen pieces in the dryer for 15 minutes, then hang until fully dry, avoiding direct sunlight.

Naturally textured and casually elegant, linen doesn’t need to be ironed or steamed. Instead, give your linen bedding a good shake after washing to reduce its wrinkles. But in this case, that's all part of the charm.