The Benefits of Pure Linen
With roughly one-third of our lives spent sleeping, creating a healthy (and beautiful) sleeping environment should be a high priority. Many factors can impact sleep quality and one of the biggest is the fibres you are sleeping in. As bed linen comes into direct contact with your skin, natural fibres should be the first choice when selecting your bedding.
Pure linen is a beautiful, natural material derived from flax, which is 100 per cent biodegradable and recyclable. This durable fibre allows for optimal breathability and can absorb as much as 20 per cent of its dry weight before feeling damp, leaving you feeling cool and dry in all seasons.
Read more about the benefits of linen here.
How to Store Linen
Wash your sheets and ensure they are completely dry before packing them away for storage, which will minimise the risk of discolouration and the growth of mould and mildew. We recommend tumble drying on low heat to ensure your sheets are as dry as possible. In addition to making your linen lovely and soft after washing, running a low-heat tumble dry will assist with shrinking the fibres – which have a natural stretch – back to their original state after wear and washing. Please check the care instructions beforehand as these can vary between products.
Leaving any material folded in storage for long periods will likely encourage odours. Along with ensuring you have a selection of linen sets on a regular washing rotation rather than using the same set over and over, we encourage you to use all of your sets to keep them fresh. If you don't have a linen cupboard, choose a storage area that is cool and dry.
LINEN SHEETS
Flat Sheets
WASH: A gentle, warm machine wash is recommended with like colours. Avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash. To maintain the colour and integrity of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents that contain optical brighteners or the enzyme cellulase and avoid exposure to continual sunlight. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent on all of our linen sheets, taking care to ensure your sheets are well-rinsed at the end of each cycle. Our linen has been pre-washed at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care no further shrinkage should occur.
DRY: We recommend tumble-drying safely on low to medium heat to keep your linen soft and maintain its textural appeal.
IRON: While our linens can be ironed, it is not recommended as our products are designed to be relaxed in nature. Ironing at high temperatures may also burn the linen fibres.
NOTE: Linen will naturally shed over its lifetime. Therefore we recommend doing a linen-only cycle to avoid lint attaching to garments in other materials such as cotton T-shirts.
Fitted Sheets
WASH: A gentle, warm machine wash is recommended with like colours. Avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash. To maintain the colour and integrity of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents that contain optical brighteners or the enzyme cellulase and avoid exposure to continual sunlight. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent on all of our linen sheets, taking care to ensure your sheets are well-rinsed at the end of each cycle. Our linen has been pre-washed at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care no further shrinkage should occur.
DRY: We recommend tumble-drying safely on low to medium heat to keep your linen soft and maintain its textural appeal.
IRON: While our linens can be ironed, it is not recommended as our products are designed to be relaxed in nature. Ironing at high temperatures may also burn linen fibre.
NOTE: Linen will naturally shed over its lifetime. Therefore we recommend doing a linen-only cycle to avoid lint attaching to garments in other materials such as cotton T-shirts.
IMPORTANT: As fitted sheets are subject to more friction than any other bedding item, they are also more prone to deterioration if overused and not cared for correctly. We recommend that you alternate your sheets as you would your clothes, with two fitted sheets on rotation to increase their longevity. Please keep in mind that in conjunction with increased wear and friction, the effectiveness of washing and the rate of wearing down can be compromised by natural body oils, fake tans, creams, lotions and moisturisers. Additionally, the loose, natural weave of linen can make it more susceptible to catching on jewellery, fingernails and sharp objects, so please take extra care when handling and using your linen bedding to avoid pulls and snags.
LINEN BLANKETS AND THROWS
Crush Linen Blanket
100% pure linen
WASH: Wash separately in a gentle warm machine wash using a mild liquid detergent. To maintain the colour and yarn integrity of your product, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners and to avoid exposure to continual direct sunlight. Dry flat out of direct sunlight. This product can be tumble-dried on a cool setting.
Wash separately in a gentle warm machine wash using a mild liquid detergent. To maintain the colour and yarn integrity of your product, we advise not to use bleach or detergents that contain optical brighteners or the enzyme cellulase and avoid exposure to continual direct sunlight.
DRY: Our Crush Linen Throw should be tumble-dried on low heat. As the linen goes through a softening process that expands the yarns and can cause minor lint, we strongly recommend washing and tumble-drying your linen throws separately when they are new to remove any excess lint or fluff. This will stop any minor shedding after a couple of washes and your linen throws will become even softer and more luxurious with age. This item should not be line dried, as the weight of wet, heavyweight linen will put extensive strain on the fibres and cause them to stretch.
Flocca Linen Blanket
100% European linen and cotton blend
WASH: While there is no limit to the number of times it can be washed, we recommend laundering your Flocca Linen Blanket conservatively. With a beautiful and delicate waffle weave design and dimensions of 260 cm x 230 cm, this large item can be difficult to handle when wet; treating it with care is a key factor in ensuring a long life expectancy. Wash separately in a gentle warm machine wash using a mild liquid detergent. To maintain the colour and yarn integrity of your product, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners and avoid exposure to continual direct sunlight. Our Flocca Linen Blanket can be dry-cleaned.
DRY: We recommend that our Flocca Linen Blanket be tumble-dried on low heat.
Crush Merino Blanket
Made from 100 per cent soft knitted Italian Merino yarn and pre-washed for softness, our Crush Merino Blanket is to be dry-cleaned only. Please note that the loose, natural weave of linen can make it more susceptible to catching on jewellery, fingernails and sharp objects, so please take extra care when handling and using your Merino blanket to avoid pulls and snags.
Crush Linen Throw Blanket & Crush Double Linen Throw Blanket
WASH: A gentle warm machine wash is recommended with like colours. Avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash. To maintain the colour of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners and avoid exposure to continual sunlight. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent such as a wool wash on all of our linen products.
DRY: Our linen has been pre-washed at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care no further shrinkage should occur. It can be tumble-dried safely on low heat to keep your linen soft and maintain its shape and textural appeal.
Our Crush Throws go through a softening process that expands the yarns which can cause minor lint. As a result, we strongly recommend washing and tumble-drying your throw separately when it is new to remove any excess lint or fluff.
Basix Linen Coverlet
Outer: 100% pure European linen
Inner: Polyfill
WASH: Due to this item having a polyfill inner, a gentle, warm machine wash is recommended with like colours. Avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash. Wash this item on its own – most people will need to use a large laundromat machine.
To maintain the colour and integrity of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents that contain optical brighteners or the enzyme cellulase and avoid exposure to continual sunlight. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent such as a wool wash with all our linen products.
DRY: Our linen has been pre-washed at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care no further shrinkage should occur. We recommend tumble-drying safely on low to medium heat to keep your linen soft and maintain its shape and textural appeal.
IRON: Due to its polyfill inner, we do not recommend ironing this product.
IMPORTANT: This item is not made from our premium yarn-dyed linen but from a finer weave that has been piece-dyed, which is better suited to the item's construction. Please note that as a result, the colouring may differ slightly from your bedding linen of the same hue.
BASIX LINEN QUILT
Outer: 100% pure European linen
Inner: Polyfill
WASH: Dry-clean professionally or use a gentle machine wash (less than 40 degrees) in a commercial-sized, front-loading machine with mild liquid detergent. Avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash, and do not use a machine with an agitator. To maintain the colour and integrity of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners or the enzyme cellulase and avoid exposure to continual direct sunlight.
DRY: Our Basix Line Quilt should be tumble-dried at low heat.
NOTE: This item is not made from our premium yarn-dyed linen but from a finer weave, which has been piece-dyed to better suit its construction. Please note that as a result, the colouring may differ slightly from your bedding linen of the same hue.
FLOCCA LINEN BEDSPREAD
WASH: Your bedspread is not to be used or washed as you would a sheet. This product is designed to cover your bed linen. To maintain the fringed detail, we strongly recommend dry-cleaning this product. To spot-clean your bedspread, mix a small amount of mild liquid detergent (free of optical brighteners) with warm water in a spray bottle and spray directly where cleaning is needed. Dab with a cloth.
To freshen your bedspread we suggest spraying a mist of diluted detergent mix as detailed above followed by a spray of linen water.
LINEN TOWELS
Flocca Linen Towel
Our Flocca Linen Towels go through a softening process that expands the yarns and may cause lint. As a result, we strongly recommend washing and tumble-drying your towels separately when they are new to remove any excess lint or fluff. This will minimise shedding after the first few washes and your towels will become even softer and more luxurious with age.
WASH: A gentle warm machine wash is recommended with like colours. Avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash. To maintain the colour and integrity of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents that contain optical brighteners or the enzyme cellulase and avoid exposure to continual sunlight. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent on all of our linen towels, taking care to ensure they are well-rinsed at the end of each cycle.
DRY: While we recommend tumble-drying your towels, a high heat will cause temporary shrinkage. Once water is reapplied to your product it will return to its original size.
NOTE: The premium density weave of our Linen Towels may cause lint. As a result, we strongly recommend washing and tumble-drying your towels separately. Tumble drying will expedite any lint shedding as well as keep your product soft to the touch and help to maintain its shape.
IMPORTANT: Modern computerised washing machines can be highly sensitive to heavy soiling, weight, and lint, with certain brands such as Miele being more sensitive than others. As a result, your machine’s computer may glitch while filtering out excess shedding during the first few washes. This is not a product fault.
Kristine Linen Guest Towel
WASH: We recommend a gentle, warm machine wash with similar products and colours. Avoid overfilling the machine so the product can move freely during the wash. To maintain the colour and integrity of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners or the enzyme cellulase and to avoid exposure to continual sunlight. We suggest using a mild liquid detergent such as a wool wash with all our linen products.
DRY: Our linen has been pre-washed at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care no further shrinkage should occur. It can be tumble-dried safely on a low heat setting to keep your linen soft and maintain its textural appeal.
IRON: While our linens can be ironed, it is not recommended as our products are designed to be relaxed in nature.
LINEN RUGS
100% dense weight European linen
Our rugs are simple to maintain with regular vacuuming to prevent the pile from flattening, and with proper care and maintenance, your rug should last for years. It is best not to use a rotating brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner, and to periodically rotate your rug to alter the traffic pattern on the surface. If it is in a sunny location, the fibres will change over time, especially if placed in direct sunlight for several hours a day. As natural fibres are absorbent and will shrink and expand with humidity changes, our rugs are for dry indoor use only. We recommend using an anti-slip underlay.
WASH: While most light marks can be cleaned with a damp cloth, any liquid spills on the rug need to be attended to immediately to lessen the chance of a possible stain. With any spill, don’t attempt to rub the liquid. Blot gently to draw the moisture out with a clean, absorbent white cloth. We recommend dry-cleaning this product without shampooing, which can cause the fibres to shrink or expand. However, if required, our rugs can be machine washed at 30 degrees (86 Fahrenheit) or less with a mild liquid detergent in a large washing machine.
DRY: Dry flat, away from direct sunlight. As with any natural fibre floor covering, HMCo. rugs can be dry-cleaned if required but not shampooed.
Food or solids accidentally dropped on your rug should be removed carefully with the edge of a spoon, ensuring the area that requires cleaning doesn’t become larger. Blot any remaining spills to remove as much as possible before further cleaning, treating the stain with water and a sponge. If water alone isn’t enough to clean the stain, use a mild detergent with warm water, blotting the treated area with a cloth or paper towel to absorb excess water before letting the rug dry completely.
NOTE: Given the rug’s thick yarn design, slight variations in shading are an inherent part of the design and will be unique to each rug.
LINEN FURNITURE SLIPCOVERS
The HMCo. furniture collection, Ligo and Bruhg, features our upholstery weight removable linen slipcovers, which are woven with the finest Belgian yarns. The dyed finish is designed to look aged and perfectly imperfect, lending itself to slow, gentle fading over time.
WASH: Our slipcovers are machine washable in cold or warm water (30 degrees Celsius), using a mild liquid detergent. Use detergents sparingly, ensuring they do not contain bleach additives or optical brighteners. It is not recommended to use a washing machine with an agitator. Slipcovers can be dry-cleaned.
IRON: Not recommended.
TIPS: Spot clean spillages as soon as possible using an absorbent cloth or paper towel to apply gentle pressure rather than wiping, which may spread the spill. Never rub a stain as this will only cause it to penetrate the fibre. Clean any remaining liquid with a soft cloth or sponge and warm water. If caught early, most spills can be completely removed in this way without the need for washing. For dried stains, gently brush off excess material and dab with warm water.
NOTE: Like sofas of any fabric, long exposure to direct or even indirect, filtered sunlight can fade the colour. This is not a fault.
FAQS
Which detergent should I use to wash my linen sheets?
Use a mild detergent such as a wool wash. To maintain the colour of your linen, we advise not to use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners or the anti-pilling enzyme cellulase, and to avoid exposure to continual sunlight.
Does linen shrink in the wash?
Linen as a fibre naturally expands with wear and shrinks with washing. However, our linen sheets have been pre-washed and pre-shrunk at very high temperatures to ensure that with proper care, no further shrinkage than its original state should occur.
Can you put linen sheets in the dryer?
HMCo. linen sheets can be tumble-dried or line-dried. We highly recommend tumble-drying our sheets to maintain their shape. If using a tumble dryer, use a low to medium heat to help maintain its soft textural appeal. Drying at high temperatures will cause the linen fibres to overheat, making them brittle over time. When line drying, we recommend taking your sheets off the line while they are slightly damp and finishing them in the dryer to soften.
Always be sure to check individual product care instructions as these may vary from product to product within the HMCo. collection.
Do linen sheets stretch?
Linen as a fibre will naturally stretch with wear. HMCo. pure linen sheets are pre-shrunk and pre-washed ensuring the product retains its original quality from the first wash. To avoid deterioration from stretching and ensure longevity, we highly advocate tumble-drying your linen sheets at least partially.
Fitted sheets are particularly subject to more friction than any other bedding item. We recommend that you alternate your sheets as you would your clothes, with two fitted sheets on rotation to increase their longevity. We strongly recommend tumble-drying fitted linen sheets to allow your product the best chance of returning to its original woven state, as constant stretch over time will inevitably wear the linen out.