How to tell if linen fabric is washable or dryclean only
Meridee
| Posted in Fabric and Trim on
I have a stash of linen fabric about which I am uncertain if it is washable or not. I cut a small piece and put it in cold water for awhile (5 mins) and then checked to see if it had shrunk by matching it to the place I cut it from. No shrinkage. But I am uncertain whether that is a sufficient test—don’t want to ruin 3+ yards of nice linen. Thank you for your help.
Replies
All linen is washable. It probably will shrink a little, though not in cold water. Will shrink in hot water or in dryer. Measure first as you did. If you are unsure about how much it will shrink or if you will have enough material for planned pattern measure sample before wash and after and take a percentage then figure percentage of your full piece of fabric.
Best advice with most fabrics is to treat it as you would the finished garment. Linen becomes softer when washed but will become crisper when ironed damp. It will wrinkle but the more it is washed the less it will wrinkle.
Thank you, Sancin. I usually wash cottons and linens in cold water only, so I will do the same with this. I appreciate your good and quick help! Meridee
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