What to wear when it’s hot this summer? Clothes made from linen!
We’re talking about linen made from the fibers of the flax plant and not linens like tablecloths and linen napkins (although some of the items we now know as linens are still made with actual linen). So what is linen, the material, and how does one take care of it?
An ancient fabric rising out of Neolithic Europe some 36,000 years ago, linen is an enduring material made from the durable fibers of the flax plant, one of the oldest cultivated plants known to mankind. Worn by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, it resembled luxury. It’s an excellent summertime fabric because the fabric is strong, durable, lustrous, and cooler because its porous fibers are weaved a little looser than cottons and wools. Its fibers are also said to be heat and moisture-wicking. These qualities make linen an excellent material to wear in the summer.
Linen is a long fiber material that tends to wrinkle. It requires quite a bit of water when washing. So when washing your linen items, make sure there is a lot of water for the linen garment or item to move around. It’s not fair to your linen items to pack in many other items with your wash. Linen loves to absorb moisture and needs all the room it can get to do so. Avoid scrubbing your linen as that tends to roughen the material. With each wash, linen tends to get softer and softer. However, if you notice that your linen garments are losing their luster, try adding a little bit of hair conditioner to the wash cycle to help restore some of its sheen.
It's best to hang dry linen or tumble dry low. Remove promptly. If your linen items have wrinkles and they most likely will, don’t be afraid to iron the items.
Linen makes for excellent, classy summer suits and casual wear. However, if you find that taking care of your linen wardrobe items a bit cumbersome, Easy Kleen’s wash and fold service can handle this for you. Drop off or schedule a pickup and delivery and we’ll be sure to give your flaxen fabrics the care they deserve.
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