How to Keep Your Linen Fabrics Crisp and Wrinkle-Free

Whether it’s a crisp set of summer sheets, a lived-in tablecloth, or a flowing sundress, linen has long been beloved for its breathability, natural texture, and effortless feel. But for all its virtues, linen is also infamous for its tendency to wrinkle and crease. "Linen’s effortless elegance comes with a few quirks—wrinkles being one of them," share L’AVANT Collective co-founders, Kristi Lord and Lindsay Droz. "But with the right care, you can keep it looking beautifully lived-in, not messy."

The truth is, linen will always have a touch of rumple to it. But if you’re hoping to keep your linen looking polished rather than perpetually creased, there are a few techniques for how to keep linen from wrinkling.

Why Linen Wrinkles in the First Place

Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant, which are impressively strong and breathable. These long fibers don’t have the elasticity of other fabrics like cotton or synthetics, though, meaning linen creases more easily.

But with the right prep, care, and styling, you can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keep your fabrics looking fresh and feeling oh-so soft.

How to Keep Linen From Wrinkling

Your wrinkle-minimizing mission starts in the laundry room. "The following guidelines offer ways to minimize wrinkles and preserve the fabric's natural elegance," shares James Joun, co-founder and chief operating officer of Rinse.

1. Choose a Gentle Cycle and Cold Water: "Use cold water and a gentle cycle to minimize friction and stress on the fabric," Joun recommends. Hot water can set wrinkles and weaken linen fibers over time.
   
2. Utilize a Household Staple: Laundry professional Jennifer Mesker recommends adding a common household staple to your linen laundry routine. "Use white distilled vinegar in the softener drawer," she suggests. "It relaxes the fabrics without damaging or stretching the fibers."
3. Don’t Overload: Give your linen room to move. "Avoid overcrowding the washer to allow linen to move freely and reduce creasing," says Joun. Overstuffing the washer can lead to excessive twisting and compression—prime conditions for wrinkles and creases.
4. Transfer Promptly: After the washing cycle is done, our experts recommend you remove your linen garments from the machine ASAP. "Don’t let it sit in a heap," warn Lord and Droz. The longer the fabric stays crumpled, the deeper those creases will be.
5. Shake and Smooth: Before air-drying or tossing your linen pieces into the dryer, take a moment to shake them out and smooth the fabric with your hands, Joun recommends. This will help release some of the deeper wrinkles while the fabric is still damp.
6. Dry Thoughtfully: "Air-dry on a hanger or lay flat to maintain the fabric's shape and minimize wrinkling," recommend Droz and Lord. A drying rack, clothesline, or shower rod is ideal. (Gravity can help pull the fabric into a smoother drape.) "If using machine heat to dry, select a low-heat setting and remove items while still slightly damp to prevent deep-set creases."
7. Finishing Touches: Ironing linen isn’t always necessary. A little natural texture is part of its charm, after all. But if a smoother appearance is what you're after, pressing can help. "For a crisp look, you can iron linen while it is still damp for optimal results," says Joun. "Alternatively, use a steamer to gently eliminate remaining wrinkles while preserving the fabric’s natural texture."
8. Store Correctly: Avoid sharp creases by folding linen loosely or even rolling items like tablecloths or napkins. Garments like dresses and blouses benefit from hanging, especially with padded hangers to preserve shape and minimize marks. Also, avoid overstuffing dresser drawers. Crowded drawers press linens into hard folds and deep creases. "Fold or hang immediately," urge Lord and Droz. "The sooner, the smoother." 

Embrace (a Little) Wrinkle

It’s worth mentioning again that linen’s lived-in look has a relaxed elegance to it—and, not to mention, is very Martha-coded. Those natural textures and gauzy layers are all part of linen's calling card.

If you’ve done your prep work—washing gently, drying with care, ironing or steaming lightly when needed—your linen will look its easy, breezy best.