100% linen bedding and 100% hemp bedding are different from cotton, completely different. Linen and hemp are fabulous fabrics that are made from the fibres of the stems from the flax and hemp plants, rather than the flowers of the cotton plant. While all are perfect for making bed linen, they need to be treated slightly differently to get the best from them.
Linen and hemp are very similar in their construction and production, and are cared for almost identically, so we're going to throw them in bed together for the purposes of this care guide. They're both hardy and simple to look after, but can feel very different from piece to piece and the way that they are laundered and dried can change their touch dramatically. Unlike cotton, linen and hemp can absorb a fair amount of moisture without feeling damp on your skin, which makes them great fabrics for bed linen, especially during warm weather.
We don’t talk about thread counts when we are talking about linen and hemp, as the count would be very low compared to cotton, because the threads are naturally thicker than cotton. Weight however can vary a great deal and we have selected a heavier weight in both the linen and hemp (165-200gsm) for longevity.
We have added a laundered finish, but it's not over-laundered so that you can enjoy your bed linen for many years. Over-laundering will wear the fabric more (this is essentially what a laundered finish is) and may shorten its life.
You may see slubs in the fabric of your new hemp or linen; this is completely normal and part of the charm of the fabric. As we hem and finish each piece before it is laundered, you might find the odd bit of fluff inside or on your mattress when you strip the bed. This, again, is completely normal and should be gone with the first wash. Linen and hemp are, unlike cotton, unlikely to pill.
Each individual piece of our 100% linen and 100% hemp bedding has been piece-dyed and laundered. This means that it is dyed after it is hemmed, which gives it that unique rustic finish and makes every piece slightly different. You can expect the piece to look slightly ‘worn in’ when it arrives. This also makes it feel super soft and tumbled.
Your linen and hemp bedding will get softer over time and with washing. We've tried lots of washing and drying with our fabrics and have the following tips...
Washing and Drying Your Linen Bedding
If you like your bed linen to be super buttery soft we recommend a cool wash with fabric softener, 30 degrees should be ample, but 40 will be just fine too on a gentle setting. You can wash linen and hemp on very high temperatures, but this makes it stiffer when dried.
Remember to separate lights from darker colours so you don't get any colour transfer across your bed linen. Please be careful when choosing your laundry detergent to make sure that there are no nasties in there that can affect the colour of your bed linen. 'Optic whiteners' and other bleaching agents can cause colour loss and leave marks on your laundry.
Because these fabrics hold a lot of water, we recommend giving your them an extra spin to remove as much water as possible. This will help remove any minerals that might affect the feel of your linen and hemp, and also help reduce the drying time. To dry, tumble dry on a cooler temperature with a tumble dryer sheet, or line dry. These steps will keep it super soft. If you would like to iron your linen or hemp (not at all compulsory) it will iron really well when it is still a little damp.
If you like your linen and hemp bedding to be stiffer, washing it as normal without a softener and drying it flat or on a line will give it a lovely crisp feel. It will get softer as you sleep in it though.
Ironing Your Linen Bedding
Ironing? Well, one of the best things about 100% linen and 100% hemp bedding is that you don’t need to iron it. Hooray! The idea is that it has a tumbled look so unless it has become really crumpled in the dryer, you can throw it straight on the bed and jump in. If you would like to give it a quick press - perhaps you love ironing, or you are after a smarter look - use a medium hot iron. It's best to iron darker coloured linens (French Blue, Charcoal) on the reverse to avoid creating shiny patches.
If you have direct sunshine in your room, try to rotate your dark coloured linen so that it doesn’t fade in one place.
We are constantly learning and trying to improve our advice on washing and caring for our bed linen. If you have an experience, or a tip that we can share, we would love to hear from you. You can e-mail molly@secretlinenstore.com, so we can share your expertise and and learn from you too.
Most importantly, enjoy it; snooze and revel in these unique wonderful fabrics.
Still tossing and turning over which fabric is best for you? Then read our article - The Luxury of Cotton or The Laziness of Linen: What to Choose?
