How to Care for Your Linen

At Mungo we often get asked by our customers about the best way to care for linen.

And although linen isn’t as delicate as it may seem (it is remarkably strong in fact), we can certainly offer you some tips on how to keep your Mungo linen looking (and smelling) fresh for years to come.

Why We Love Linen

Linen, woven from the fibre of the flax plant, has been around since antiquity. For centuries it has maintained its place as a beloved homeware textile for a multitude of reasons. From its celebrated longevity, unmatched crisp finish, or even the breathability that makes it suitable for year-round use, there are a million reasons to love linen.

Mungo linen is sourced from Linificio Canapificio Nazionale – an Italian supplier whose ethos and commitment to quality mirrors our own. From the humble flax plant, LCN takes the raw material through the stages of scutching, combing and spinning, before being vat dyed to ensure a brilliant and even colour fastness. Thereafter, the linen yarn wings its way to Plettenberg Bay, where it is woven into our beautiful linen fabric at the Mungo Mill.

Where to Start

Step one in how to care for your linen is to read the label. Your linen may have been dyed or blended with other fibres and, as a result, washing, drying or ironing instructions may vary. So your best bet is to first check the label.

Washing

• As a general rule, linen should be washed at a low temperature – either cold or lukewarm. Washing linen above 40° may cause your linen to shrink. Regardless of water temperature, it is quite normal for linen textiles to shrink after a first wash. However, you needn’t expect shrinkage with Mungo linen, as we pre-wash all our textiles.
• Use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent to avoid damaging the fibres.
• Linen also needs to move freely in the wash, so don’t pack your machine too tightly.
• Always wash with similar colours.
• Do not bleach.

Drying

• It is safe to tumble dry your Mungo linen at a low heat. However, we always like recommending using the outdoor air that is free.
• Turn inside out if line drying.
• As with all natural fibres, direct sunlight can cause fading over time.

Ironing

• We love the distinct crispness and natural creases in linen, and tend to feel there’s no need for ironing linen at all. However, if you prefer the sharper look of ironed linen, iron while the fabric is still damp.
• Use a medium-hot iron and select the steam setting.

Storing

• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid storing in plastic or cardboard to prevent moisture condensation or yellowing.
• Linen is naturally insect repellent, so you needn’t worry about moths or other crawly creatures nibbling at your linen.

Treated well your Mungo linen should last you for years – if not a lifetime. Linen fibres have the unique ability to improve with age; increasing in softness and yet strengthening with each wash. What’s more, the structure of linen allows for improved airflow, meaning it won’t cling or become clammy in summer. Its natural drape and durability makes for a versatile fabric, which is why we love to weave with linen at Mungo.

Here are some of our favourite linen products:

Enjoy this blog? Learn more about linen, and its favourable counterpart cotton, here.