How to wash linen-cotton blend?

Linen and cotton are both highly washable fabrics, but both are also prone to shrinking. You must use the same method as washing the individual fabrics when washing linen-cotton blend; hand-wash or machine-wash with cold water, then air dry or press right after washing if needed.

Cotton and linen have some common features. They are both soft but durable, highly absorbent, have high alkali resistance, and have high dyeing-ability. Pure cotton fabric is less durable than pure linen material. But the cotton fabric will be softer than the linen. The linen-cotton blend has the advantages of both fabrics.

Knowing the properties of both linen and cotton, you will be able to wash and care for your blended fabric properly. Below, you will find tips on how you can wash linen-cotton blend the proper way:

1. Linen cotton blends can be hand or machine-washed. You can use any detergent, but it would still be best to use mild detergent and your machine set to the gentle cycle.
2. Soaking linen-cotton blend fabrics for a long time is not recommended. Soaking may cause the colors on your fabric to fade easily.
3. You are also advised to wash your linen-cotton fabrics only with fabrics of the same color, weight, and washing instructions to prevent damage to the material.
4. Bleaching is not recommended for linen-cotton cloth. Bleaching can discolor the fabric and weaken the flax fibers that make up the linen part of your fabric.
5. If your linen-cotton fabric gets stained, it is important to get rid of the stain as soon as possible. Soak the stained portion in a water-detergent solution. Another way to remove the stain is to spot clean the fabric using baking soda or a few drops of white vinegar, then blot the stain with a towel.
6. Cotton and linen are prone to shrinking, so the linen-cotton blend must not be washed and dried in high heat. Remember to set the proper heat settings for cotton-linen blend fabrics before loading them into the washer.
7. Do not wrinkle the linen-cotton cloth after washing. Cotton and linen fabrics are both wrinkly materials. A wrinkled style is one special quality of linen-cotton fabrics. If you do not want a wrinkled fabric, you can spray water on the wrinkled portions.

Compared to delicate and flimsy fabrics, Linen-cotton blends are not very hard to wash. You can wash linen-cotton blends as often as you need to. And another good characteristic of a linen-cotton fabric is that it gets softer after several times of washing.

Does linen-cotton blend shrink?

A linen-cotton blend fabric may shrink, but expect shrinkage to be less than 100% than it would be with pure linen. Linen and cotton are both natural fabrics and have properties that are alike. The fabric blend produces a breathable fabric that is more durable than the individual fabric materials.

Cotton and linen are fabrics that are likely to shrink. Linen can shrink from three to four percent of its size, while cotton can shrink for about one to three percent only, which means that cotton is a sturdier material with a higher shrink-resistance.

Linen and cotton fabrics have similar characteristics being both are natural fabrics. Blending these two natural materials creates a more durable material than the individual fabrics. The linen-cotton blend is still prone to shrink, but the shrinking resistance would be higher than with pure linen.

100% linen fabrics are expensive and are not stretchy, and tend to break down if you fold and iron them in the same area all the time. Pure linen fabric is difficult to maintain than cotton; that is why it is sometimes branded as a luxury fabric.

On the other hand, cotton is softer and lighter. Linen fiber has some stiffness that can be countered when blended with cotton. Blending both materials will produce a stronger and more durable fabric which is less expensive than 100% linen.

How do you soften the linen-cotton blend?

You can soften your blended fabrics in many ways. There are different natural and chemical fabric softeners that you can use. Chemical fabric softeners coat the fibers with chemical ingredients to make them softer and smell good. For natural fabric softeners, vinegar is the most environmental and safest additive to use. Washing your linen-cotton fabrics often can help soften them.

Listed are ways you can soften your linen-cotton blended items.

1. Wash linen-cotton materials more often

Washing your linen-cotton items more frequently can soften the fabric. Washing a few times helps remove the cellulose coating on new linen fibers. It would be best to wear your linen-cotton clothing as often as you can, so you can wash it often to make it softer.

Washing your linen-cotton beddings more frequently will make it softer and better to use the next time. The fibers of your linen-cotton fabrics will get more flexible and softer as time passes when you wash them more often.

2. Use white vinegar

White vinegar is a popular natural cleaning solution that can also soften fabrics. You can use vinegar to soften your linen-cotton items in different ways.

• Before washing, rinse your linen-cotton clothes or beddings first using a half cup of vinegar instead of detergent powder. Then, wash the items using detergents at a regular washing cycle.
• For white linen-cotton fabrics like bed sheets and blankets that will not bleed color, you may soak them in one cup of vinegar and a gallon of water solution. Leave them soaking overnight, then load them in the washing machine the next day.
• The white vinegar will soften the fabrics and remove any residue of detergent powder or unpleasant smells from your laundry.

3. Air-dry your linen-cotton items

Instead of using the dryer, it would be best to air-dry your linen-cotton materials. You can soften the fabrics without the need for any additives, but you can naturally dry them on the clothesline or drying rack outdoors. Not only does it soften your linen-cotton items, but it also saves on energy costs.

4. Place a few drops of lemon juice into your laundry

Lemon juice can be a natural fabric softener to natural fabrics like wool, cotton, and linen. Placing a few drops of lemon juice in your laundry can soften the materials because the citric acid in the lemon juice will soften and break down the tough natural fibers.

5. Soak in water with baking soda

Many household materials can actually help to soften fabrics. One of the most common items around the house is baking soda. Before washing your linen-cotton clothing, soak them in water with baking soda for 15 minutes.

The baking soda can help reduce soap build-up on your clothing which causes static electricity. It can also help eliminate household smells like mildew, pet odors, or food that may cling to your clothing.

6. Use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets

Instead of dryer sheets, you can use dryer balls to soften fabrics and prevent static control.

• Using dryer balls is an alternative way to using chemical fabric softeners. They come in different colors, shapes, and materials like plastic or rubber. The most common ones are made of pure wool.
• You can put two to three dryer balls into the dryer with your linen-cotton fabrics to soften the fabric. It can also make the drying process quicker by up to 25%.
• The dryer balls prevent the laundry from clumping together while drying. The dryer balls allow the hot air to circulate freely, making the natural fibers loosen to produce nice soft linen-cotton fabrics after drying.
• If you are a tennis enthusiast, your tennis balls can be used as dryer balls for your linen-cotton laundry, especially when washing bed sheets and blankets. Make sure to use only the new ones to avoid soiling or staining your sheets.

7. Run the linen-cotton fabric through the dryer with a wet towel

Another way to soften your linen-cotton clothing without the use of chemicals or additives is by running it through a damp washcloth or a wet towel. You can also run the dryer with your linen-cotton fabric and a wet towel. The towel will transfer some moisture to the fabric, making it softer.

8. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of vinegar or baking soda into your laundry

Before loading your linen-cotton laundry to the washer, add a few tablespoons of vinegar or baking soda. Soak it for 15 minutes or so without running water.

Add detergent the normal way, then set your machine on cold rinse and gentle cycle if your fabric needs it. Beddings may not need a delicate setting as linen-cotton clothing.

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Is linen-cotton blend good?

The combination of linen and cotton in a fabric cancels out the weaknesses of each material. The soft and smooth quality of cotton settles the roughness of linen. The stiffness of linen counters the lightness of cotton. The linen-cotton blend is an ideal material for making summer wear.

Below are some of the benefits of blended linen and cotton fabric:

• Cotton and linen come from natural fibers, so both are environmentally friendly. Production of this fabric did not involve any chemicals or pesticides. It also does not contain heavy metal ions, azo, or formaldehyde. The linen-cotton fabric passes European community textile standards because of these sustainable qualities.
• Linen-cotton fabric is sewn with pure cotton making it difficult to deform, prevent static, and roll, and edge issues.
• The linen-cotton blend is more breathable than the pure fabrics. It can quickly absorb sweat from the skin, making it more comfortable to wear and not leave a sticky feeling.
• Because of its breathable property, linen-cotton blend fabric is an ideal choice for close-fitting garments and an excellent clothing material to be worn for any season.
• The linen-cotton fabric provides enough warmth to help the wearer get better sleep quality. It gives more warmth than pure fabrics, helping to regulate the nervous system and give a person a good night’s sleep.
• Compared to pure linen, the linen-cotton blend is friendlier to the skin. It is not itchy and does not irritate the skin. It has just the right pH level that is suitable for the skin. It is not only good for the environment, but it also passes the individual health requirements.
• Linen cotton fabrics have a variety of uses aside from clothing. You can also use it for bags, beddings, etc. As bag material, it is ideal for packing jewelry, medicinal materials, and electronic gadgets, which can ensure the safety and security of these items.