Known for its unfussy style and casual elegance, linen has long been a mainstay of elevated home décor. “Unfussy” and “casual,” however, can morph into messy if you aren’t prepared for one small detail: linen sheds.
The lint that comes with new linen doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker, though. With a few tips, you’ll quickly ditch the fuzzies and enjoy the luxe look and feel of linen bedding, linen curtains, and elevated table linens.
What is Linen?
Linen is a natural fiber made from the long interior strands of the flax plant. Linen has been cultivated for thousands of years for use in clothing and home goods like table linens, linen curtains, and linen bedding. And for good reason! Simultaneously soft and durable, linen is perfect for many home applications.
Does Linen Shed?
The long, strong fibers of the flax plant are harvested and woven together in a complex process to create linen. As a natural part of the plant, these fibers grow with a variety of lengths and widths. Linen fabric may shed some of these shorter fibers during the first several washes, but this is nothing to worry about.
Shedding is an expected part of the life of linen home goods and will lessen over time. The first several washings will loosen any extra fibers in the linen and even make the fabric softer to the touch.
Does Linen Quality Affect How Much it Sheds?
Linen manufacturing is a time-intensive and painstaking process that has historically required much work by hand. Industrial innovations, however, have changed the way that some manufacturers process their flax. Unfortunately, some of these innovations have resulted in lower-quality linen products.
In particular, machine harvesting and chemical retting can produce weaker flax fibers that are more prone to breakage. This lower-quality flax fiber results in stiff linen that can shed more lint than higher-quality linen.
Buying prewashed linen can help avoid some of the shedding you experience at home. However, keep in mind that any linen item is likely to shed somewhat when you first begin using it.
How Linen is Made
To craft our high-quality linen, our suppliers follow this general process:
- Cultivation: Flax plants need around 100 days to grow prior to harvest.
- Harvesting: Flax plants are harvested by machine or hand once the flax has ripened and is about three or four feet tall.
- Retting: The flax is soaked in water to separate the interior, usable flax fibers from their tough outer stem.
- Drying: Drying can be done with or without machines but takes several days and sometimes weeks.
- Scutching: Workers remove the flax fibers from their stems, either by hand or with large machine rollers.
- Hackling: To create thread, the flax fibers must first be combed and straightened, and any short, weak fibers or remaining stems must be removed.
- Spinning: The flax fibers are spun into thread; traditionally, this is done with a distaff machine.
- Weaving: The flax threads are woven into linen’s distinctive, slightly bumpy weave.
Preventing Linen Shedding
Because of the structure of linen and its antimicrobial, moisture-wicking properties, this fabric shines throughout the home. It’s a luxe material that is as much of a workhorse as it is a statement of good taste. Some of our favorite ways to use linen in the home are linen bedding, linen curtains, and table linens. With a few tips, you can minimize the shed in each of these applications.
Banishing Fuzzies from Linen Bedding
Linen is perfect for bedding because of its long, cellulose fibers that are three times stronger than cotton. Excessive agitation, however, can cause damage and lint in any fabric, and linen bedding is no exception.
To minimize linen fuzzies in your bedroom, make sure you launder your linen bedding properly without overloading your machine. Stuffing your washer can damage the fabric by causing breakage in the fibers. These bits of broken cellulose then fall from the linen bedding as lint.
After your initial purchase, a few cool, delicate washes can help remove any loose flax fibers from your linen bedding without creating new broken fibers. Following up with a gentle shake will remove those tiny fibers before they show up as lint in your sheets.
Do Linen Curtains Lead to Dusty Floors?
With their textural depth and ability to filter light while still providing privacy, linen curtains are one of the best options for styling your windows. You can even find linen curtains with blackout lining, a boon for troubled sleepers or new parents desperate for baby to nap. However, some people may wonder if linen curtains will drop lint on their floor, turning a chic window dressing into a dusty mess.
There’s good news! Linen curtains shouldn’t produce significantly more lint than draperies made of any other fabric. All linen will shed early in its life, but these short fibers work their way out of the fabric quickly. You can keep your linen curtains looking their best by periodically using a lint roller to remove any dust that may have accumulated on them.
Enjoying Lint-Free Table Linens
Table linens marry form and function to make any meal feel truly special. Classic white and ivory linen napkins lend sophistication to your tablescape, while a refreshing aqua green runner welcomes spring with panache. Table linens add effortless style to your table for a memorable meal, no matter the menu.
To keep your guests lint-free, ensure you prep your table linens before their first use with a few delicate washes. Lint is often more noticeable on darker-colored table linens, so choosing a lighter color can offer peace of mind.
Some people advise ironing your table linens for a crisp look and to minimize lint, but we do not recommend this. High heat can weaken and break the linen fibers, shortening your item’s lifespan.
How to Wash Linen to Minimize Shedding
- Spot treat any deep stains with a gentle stain remover.
- Wash linen separately or with other items of the same color and material.
- Use a mild liquid detergent and a gentle washing cycle.
- Use cool water. Hot water can weaken and break the flax fibers, causing more shed.
- If possible, line dry to minimize shedding. Otherwise, tumble dry on low or no heat. Do not over-dry.
- Do not iron unless you must; high heat can damage linen fibers, causing breakage and more shedding.
Linen bedding, linen curtains, and table linens are showstoppers for your home, but like all linen, these items will initially shed lint. To minimize the fuzz, make sure you purchase high-quality linen that comes prewashed from the manufacturer. Plan to wash your items a few times before use, and you’ll quickly enjoy your linen without relying on a lint brush.
