How to care for your linen clothing
Apr 02, 2025
LifeWear
Linen is the perfect fabric for summer. It can absorb and release moisture easily, helping you stay fresh and comfortable. Its fibres are firm and structured, but linen also tends to shrink and wrinkle when it absorbs water and then dries. Wrinkles become more noticeable with movement and as the fabric dries, which is why some people find linen difficult to care for.
While the characteristic wrinkling of linen is part of its charm, with just a few simple tips, maintaining linen can be much easier. Here are some washing hacks and care tricks to help you keep your linen shirts, trousers, dresses and shorts in great condition for longer.
How to care for your linen clothing
1. How to machine-wash your linen clothing
UNIQLO linen can be machine washed; choose a cool setting with a short spin cycle to prevent excessive wrinkling. After washing, reshape your linen clothing and hang to dry in a well-ventilated shaded area.
Linen fibres tend to stretch easily when wet. To minimise wrinkles, gently pull and smooth out the fabric while it is still wet before hanging it up to dry. This simple step will help reduce creasing as it dries.
2. Additional tips
Taking good care of your linen garments will let you enjoy them for longer.
3. How to quickly remove wrinkles
To reduce wrinkles in dry linen, lightly dampen the fabric with a misting spray, gently smooth out the wrinkles by hand, and hang on a hanger to dry. If you don’t have a misting spray, you can also hang linen garments in your bathroom while having a shower. Linen will absorb the moisture from the steam so you can more easily smooth out any wrinkles.
Linen evolves with you
Linen’s natural wrinkles are part of its charm. Over time, the fabric softens with wear, and its wrinkles gradually blend into the texture, enhancing its relaxed and effortless look. Embrace the unique beauty of linen as it evolves with you.
Shop the linen collection
Shop the women's linen collection.
Shop the men's linen collection.
Linen FAQs
What is linen?
Linen, made from the natural plant fibre flax, is valued for its crisp texture and fresh feel. It is naturally absorbent and releases moisture easily, offering a comfortable feel that makes it well-suited for warm and humid conditions. The fibres are naturally strong and become softer and more pleasant with each wear. This timeless material has been widely used for centuries in clothing and home essentials.
What climates is linen most suitable for?
Linen is a comfortable fabric that works well in various climates. It quickly releases moisture and dries easily, making a great choice for both warm and changing weather conditions.
✓Comfortable in hot and humid environments
Linen is ideal for hot and humid days, as well as dry heat. It helps wick away moisture and does not cling to the skin, even when sweating. This makes it a great option not only for summer but also for rainy and humid seasons.
✓Adapts well to temperature changes
Linen can be enjoyed all year round. By layering clothes, you can stay comfortable even on days when the temperature varies between morning and evening, or during seasonal transitions.
What is in the UNIQLO linen collection?
100% premium linen
Left：100% Premium Linen Shirt
Right：100% Premium Linen Shirt
Made from 100% fine linen sourced from Western Europe, these shirts are known for their light, breathable feel and elegant sheen. To achieve a smooth and refined texture, excess fibres are carefully removed. These versatile staples can be styled both formally and casually.
Linen blend
Left：Linen Blend Relaxed Trousers｜Linen Blend Shirt Jacket｜100% Premium Linen Shirt
Right：Linen Blend Easy Trousers｜100% Premium Linen Shirt
The light texture of linen is combined with rayon and other materials to create a smooth texture. The natural drape gives it a sophisticated look, making it perfect for casual office wear or relaxed outings.
Cotton linen
Left：Linen Cotton Shorts｜Linen Blend Volume Blouse
Right：Linen Blend Shirt｜Linen Blend Relaxed Trousers
This 100% natural fabric combines the softness of cotton with the coolness of linen for a comfortable feel. It is ideal for casual everyday wear, weekends and relaxing.
What makes our premium linen special?
UNIQLO's premium linen shirts are made of 100% European Flax™, which is certified by an international certification body. This material has established traceability through third-party verification and, is grown without the use of irrigation or genetic modification, apart from in exceptional circumstances. European Flax™ is also produced in a way that makes effective use of the whole plant, with no waste of seeds or staple fibres that are removed during the manufacturing process.
Does linen fade easily?
Linen is not a material that is particularly prone to fading but to prolong the life of your linen garments here are some tips:
- After washing, hang to dry immediately.
- Avoid direct sunlight and dry in the shade or indoors in a well-ventilated place.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the rich colour of your linen for longer.
Can I tumble-dry linen?
High heat can cause linen fibres to shrink, so air drying is the best way to preserve the fabric’s natural texture and shape.
I already tumble-dried my linen, what should I do?
If your linen garments has shrunk or wrinkled, you may be able to restore it.
✓Rewash and reshape by hand
Wash the garment again and gently stretch out the seams and wrinkles by hand while it is still damp. This may help it regain some of its original size.
✓Moisten and reshape
Lightly dampen the fabric with water and carefully reshape. Shrinkage can sometimes be reduced by applying gentle tension while the fabric is moist.
These methods may not completely restore the fabric, but they can help improve its appearance and fit.
Shop the linen collection
Shop the women's linen collection.
Shop the men's linen collection.
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