Linen T-shirts: How to Wash & Care

Linen fabric is prepared from the stem of flax plants. The procedure of extracting linen fibers from the flax plant stem is called retting. The stem is not directly harvested after growing flax plants. People wait for the blue flowers to wither and stems to change their color. They harvest the yellow stems and then weave them to produce yarn. Linen fabric is lightweight and flexible compared to cotton. Linen T-shirts are getting popular due to their breathable properties and softness. These T-shirts require special care to increase their lifespan. Poor washing method and product usage lead to wrinkles and fading. Follow the right guide to wash, dry, and iron linen T-shirts.

How Should You Wash Linen T-shirts?

Here are the four tips to wash linen T-shirts:

1. Use Cold or Lukewarm Water: Use the standard tap water or lukewarm water at 30 °C to wash the linen T-shirts. Cold water preserves their original color. Cold water protects the linen from shrinking and wrinkles. It removes the stains and avoids the weakening of threads.
2. Machine Delicate Cycle: Set the machine cycle to gentle when washing. Pre-treat the stains to avoid hard cycles, as they increase the rubbing and tangling. The higher the spin cycle, the higher the tangling and wrinkles. 
3. Mild Detergent Only: Prefer fragrance and dye-free detergents. They do not contain any bleach, skin-irritating chemicals, or lung-irritating toxins. Use liquid detergents because they dissolve in water easily. Powder detergents take a longer time to dissolve and leave residues tangled with the fabric. These detergent chunks cause skin rashes when worn. 
4. Avoid Overloading the Washer: Sort the T-shirts according to color to avoid dyeing the white ones. Use the two-thirds rule to fill the washing machine with clothes. Leave enough room so that clothes and water can circulate freely.

Can Linen T-shirts Shrink in the Wash?

Yes, linen T-shirts shrink in the wash. Here are the three factors that play a role in the linen's shrinking:

1. Hot Water & High Heat: Linen fabric is stretched to give it a smooth texture. The fabric tightens and contracts when washed with hot water. People soak clothes in lukewarm or cold water to unshrink them. This process takes 15 minutes and restores the real shape of the T-shirt.
2. Pre-washed Linen: The Manufacturer pre-washes the linen to reduce errors in fittings later on. These shrink-proof T-shirts are best for those who are unsure about shrinking. Ask the manufacturer or read labels for pre-shrunk T-shirts. 
3. Air Drying: Air drying is the most effective way to avoid shrinkage in linen T-shirts. Dry T-shirts when they are a bit damp to avoid burning threads or weakening them. 

What is the Best Way to Dry and Iron Linen T-shirts?

Here are the five best ways to dry and iron linen T-shirts:

1. Air Dry Flat or on Hangers: Spread T-shirts to dry immediately after removing the excess water. Hang the garments outdoors on a clothesline or hangers in the open air. Make sure to dry clothes in a shady place to avoid fading. Air drying works best for all types of fabric. T-shirts are spread on a flat surface in this process. Reshape the sleeves, collar, and t-shirt to avoid wrinkles.
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Dry T-shirts in a place away from direct sunlight. The higher the heat and sunlight, the higher the fading.  
3. Iron While Slightly Damp: Remove clothes from the hanger when they are slightly damp to iron them. This dampness protects T-shirt threads from weakening and getting burned. 
4. Medium to High Heat with Steam: Set the steam between medium and high because linen withstands high temperatures compared to cotton. 
5. Iron Inside Out: Turn clothes inside out to protect the sensitive prints and designs from smudging. This strategy is best for embroidered T-shirts.

How to Remove Stains from Linen T-shirts?

Here are the four ways to remove stains from linen T-shirts:

1. Treat Stains Immediately: Use the gentle stain removers to remove the stains like salt, baking soda, or lime juice. These removers lighten the stains and make it easy to remove them when washed with detergents.
2. Spot Treat Before Washing: Linen absorbs the stain faster than any other fabric. Make sure to treat stains before washing if they have not been treated. This step speeds up the washing process and removes stains without affecting threads.
3. Use Stain Remover: Use the mild detergents from any trusted brand with the required components in it. Read the labels of detergents and avoid those with sulfates and phosphates. 
4. Avoid Chlorine Bleach: Chlorine bleach’s byproducts and toxic reactions cause serious skin and respiratory issues. Avoid using it and prefer the color-safe bleach as an alternative.

How to Store Linen T-shirts Properly?

Here are the four tips to store linen T-shirts:

1. Fold Instead of Hanging: Fold linen T-shirts neatly instead of hanging them. Linen fabric is prone to stretching, and folding helps to avoid this.
2. Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Store T-shirts in a clean and dry place. Remove the dust and moisture because they produce a bad odour and mildew growth in T-shirts. 
3. Use Breathable Cotton Bags: Use breathable fabric bags to store the linen T-shirts. They allow the air to pass through clothes and keep them fresh. Organize clothes neatly and keep the frequently required ones on top.
4. Avoid Plastic Bags: Don’t use plastic bags because they trap moisture and create bad odour. They also weaken the linen and affect the T-shirt quality.
5. Moth Protection: Use cedar blocks  (aromatic wood) and dried leaves to leave a scent in storage drawers. It interrupts the signaling in insects to keep them away and also absorbs the moisture.

What Are the Long-Term Care Tips for Linen T-shirts?

Here are the care tips for linen T-shirts for the long term:

1. Wash Only When Needed: Wash linen T-shirts when they get dirty or stained. Avoid washing them without any reason or after one tiny stain.
2. Rotate Usage: One of the best ways to reduce the frequency of washes is rotating usage. Wear different T-shirts to increase their lifespan.
3. Always Follow Care Label: Read the usage guides, labels of T-shirts, and detergents for washing with care. Clarify with the manufacturer about pre-shrunk or shrunk T-shirts before buying.
4. Steam Instead of Frequent Ironing: prefer steaming over ironing as it protects fiber and requires less setup. It is good for textured and quick touch-ups to T-shirts. Use iron for creating crisp creases and ironing tough fabrics.