Sep 2026 | 2.5-minute read, How to, Lifestyle

Linen Care 101: Wash, Dry, and Store Like a Pro.

Natural flax linen is one of the most durable, breathable, and luxurious textiles you can bring into your bedroom. Known for its distinct texture and ability to get softer with every single wash, high-quality linen can easily last for decades – if you treat it well.

Whether you’ve just invested in your first set of linen sheets or you want to ensure your favourite duvet cover lasts a lifetime, here is your guide to washing, drying, and storing natural flax linen.

Washing: gentle temperatures & less detergent

Linen fibres are remarkably strong when wet, however, harsh chemicals and high heat can degrade the natural flax over time.

Choose the right detergent – use a mild, liquid detergent free of harsh optical brighteners, bleach, or synthetic fragrance.
AVOID fabric softeners entirely – softeners coat the natural fibres in a wax-like film, reducing linen’s natural moisture-wicking ability and breathability.
AVOID bleach – it’s harsh and may cause yellowing.
Keep water temperatures cool to warm – wash your linen bedding in cool or warm water (ideally around 30°C). Like with any natural fibre, high heat can cause flax fibres to shrink and weaken.
Don’t overcrowd your washing machine drum – linen absorbs a significant amount of water during the wash cycle. Giving your bedding plenty of room to slosh around freely ensures a thorough rinse and reduces unnecessary friction.
Select a gentle cycle – set your machine to a delicate or gentle cycle with a slow spin speed to prevent excessive pulling or twisting.
Treat any stains when fresh – if allowed to set, stains may be impossible to remove later.
Caution – the use of some skin treatment creams containing ingredients similar to benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and certain sunscreens is likely to cause discolouration with any bed sheet/pillowcase fabric including linen.

Drying: embrace low heat

How you dry your linen plays a huge role in maintaining its integrity and its signature tactile feel.

Tumble dry on Low – your suki linen bedding loves a tumble dry, use the lowest heat setting available, it will come out soft and fluffy. You can remove your linen bedding from the tumble dryer while it is still slightly damp (around 95% dry) and lay it flat on your bed to complete the drying process. This prevents the fibres from becoming brittle and helps eliminate deep, set-in wrinkles.
Air drying – if you prefer to line-dry, ensure your linen bedding is not in direct sunlight. Like any natural fibre, our extreme sun conditions in Australia can over-dry fibres causing them to become brittle. Additionally, hanging dark linens in direct, intense sunlight, can cause colours to fade over time.
SKIP DRYER SHEETS – just like liquid fabric softeners, dryer sheets leave a chemical residue that clogs the weave. Swap them for 100% wool dryer balls to reduce static and fluff the fabric naturally while drying.

The wrinkle debate: to iron or not to iron?

The soft, effortless “lived-in” texture is part of natural linen’s charm. It is a natural feature of linen to wrinkle; however, the fibres will relax and wrinkles will smooth out when on the bed. If you prefer a crisp look:

Iron while slightly damp – always iron linen while it is still slightly damp,
Iron on a warm setting (not high heat) – use a warm setting with steam.

Storing: let the fibres breathe

Proper storage prevents mildew and discoloration.

Ensure 100% dryness – never store linen if it retains even a hint of moisture, as natural fibres are susceptible to mildew in damp environments.
Store in a cool, dry place – choose a dark, well-ventilated closet or linen cupboard.
Avoid plastic containers – never store natural flax linen in sealed plastic tubs or vacuum bags. Trapped moisture and lack of airflow can cause yellowing and break down the organic fibres. Instead, store your bedding in breathable cotton or linen dust bags or even better, store in the suki linen totes your bedding arrived in.

Love your linen?

Have more than one set and rotate after each wash. This is one of the best ways to ensure your linen bedding gets a rest and you can love your linen for longer.

Climbing into a bed made with suki 100% French flax linen is like sinking into a cloud of pure, breathable comfort – effortlessly soft, naturally temperature-regulating, and crafted to give you your dreamiest, most peaceful slumber yet.

Are you sleeping with suki?

Click to shop suki. 100% French flax linen bedding