Learn how to wash linen pants at home without fuss. Our simple method will help you wear your linen pants with confidence and a carefree attitude, not worrying about whether they get dirty.
Have that glass of red. Or that bowl of saucy homemade lasagna, all while wearing your favourite pair of linen pants. With our washing guide you’ll be armed with the knowledge to keep your linens looking flawless for years to come.
We’ll share our top tips on how to wash linen, dry your linens correctly and what chemicals to keep far away from your best pieces.
Top tips for washing linen pants
There are whole essays that could be written about washing linen. But it’s not necessary to overcomplicate things. It’s the small details that will make a difference. As long as you follow a few essentials, you’ll be proudly wearing your favourite linen pants for years to come.
- Lukewarm water. Linen pants like the temperature of the water to be just right. Overly hot water can cause the linen to shrink, while cold water doesn’t really clean the fabric or kill any bacteria. The sweet spot for linen pants is 30C; keep the water temperature at or below, but do not exceed it.
- Treat stains immediately. Speed is the secret to treating stains effectively. Try to do it as soon as you see it, and make sure the stain is fully removed before washing. Whatever the type of stain, rinse it with cold water—hot water can harden stains into the fabric.
- Wash at half load. Avoid overstuffing the washing machine to prevent other clothes from scratching your linen trousers. Washing a half-full machine will also help prevent the pants from wrinkling too much. Read our blog on how to keep linen from wrinkling for even more tips.
- No bleach. You should completely avoid bleach when washing all types of linens, from linen tops to linen dresses. This powerful chemical can permanently alter the colour of your linen pieces.
- Wash linen pants separately. If you want to keep your linen pieces in flawless condition, try to wash them only with other linen clothes. Denim, especially, could scratch the linen fabric, and once there’s damage, it can be difficult to reverse.
- Keep your washing colour coordinated. Wash your linen pants with similar colours to minimise the risk of colour bleeding. For example, wash black linen pants with other black linens. It’s a simple tip that you don’t need any expensive equipment to complete, but it will go a long way to ensuring your linens stay impeccable.
Step-by-step instructions to wash linen pants perfectly
- Remove any stains. Before placing your pants in the washing machine, make sure they are stain-free. Turn the pants inside out and pour cold water through the stain. You can also dab dishwashing detergent if the stain persists.
- Zip up zippers. In the washing machine, linen pants should be turned inside out, any buttons done up, and zips zipped—it’ll keep sharp edges away from your fabric. It pays to be extra careful and thorough when it comes to the favourites in your closet.
- Wash linen pants at 30C. Do not think twice about putting linen pants in the washing machine if you keep the water temperature mild and the spin cycle short.
- Air dry your linen pants. To achieve a smooth look, try to take linens out of the washing machine as soon as the cycle is finished. Then, air dry them somewhere in the shade. If you have to, only use pegs at the waist of the pants to avoid any crumples or dents in the fabric.
Don’t ruin all the gentle washing you’ve done with incorrect ironing. Follow our tips on how to iron linen to keep your clothing flawlessly smooth year after year.
Can I wash linen pants in the washing machine?
The washing machine is the perfect place for linen pants, as long as the water temperature is at or below 30C. Choose a long rinse, short wash and short spin cycle for best results. Make sure to select the delicate setting on the washing machine to guarantee your pants come out in the same condition as when they were put in.
For those who would like to skip the washing machine, feel free to hand wash linen pants. Yet it doesn’t necessarily make it more gentle on your favourite bottoms. There is a downside to handwashing.
It can be challenging to completely rinse out the detergent and water from the pants without wringing or twisting the fabric, which is not recommended. This can cause streaking or soapy patches when the linen dries. So, you’ll want to be sure you’ve rinsed out your pants fully before letting them dry. Or avoid the hassle and use the washing machine instead.
What’s the best detergent for washing linen pants?
Make your linen pants last by washing them with gentle detergent, designed for delicate fabrics. You can check the ingredients label of any detergent before using and try to steer clear of any that contain Sodium Borate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cellulase, Protease, and Amylase—these can be especially damaging for all linens.
There is one product that every linen owner should be wary of, and that’s bleach. It can cause discolouration in dyed linens or leave unsightly marks. At worst, it may cause the fabric to tear. There are gentler ways to keep your linen pieces clean that won’t lead to damage. Read our blog on how to remove stains from linen, for all the details.
Is it OK to use fabric softener on linen? If you love your linens, it’s best not to use it. Fabric softener can damage the natural fibres of linen, especially when used consistently. Plus, linen softens all on its own, with each wash this magical fabric will get softer and softer.
How do you dry linen pants?
Preventing linen pants from shrinking isn’t only about washing them correctly. It’s also critical to dry your linens in a gentle way otherwise they could shrink.
We recommend air drying your linen pants for best results. Do not hang them in direct sunlight to avoid any discolouration or fading of the fabric. When bad weather hits, you can hang them up inside—because linen is a natural fabric, it doesn’t take too long to dry naturally.
If you can, try to avoid placing your linen pants in the dryer. Technically at low heat settings your linen pants should be safe, but why risk it?
Is washing linen pants the same as washing linen bed sheets?
They’re the same fabric, but linen pants need a little more attention compared to bed sheets. First, take the time to turn the pants inside out along with any pockets and, most importantly, zip up any zippers. The jagged edge of the zipper could cause damage to the clothes in the washing machine, which, of course, we want to avoid.
To prevent pilling, wash linen sheets separately from linen pants or linen clothing. The different textures and thread counts will not mix well together, and if you want to be on the safe side, keep them separate.
How often should you wash linen pants?
In the end, it’s a personal choice how often you wash your linen pants. Plus, it also depends on the weather. In the summer, you should wash your linen pants after each use. Even if they appear perfectly clean, dirt exists on the microscopic level.
Skin cells, oils and sweat are normal everyday substances that our body produces. Problems arise when these are not washed out and instead are absorbed into the linen, causing unpleasant odours and stiffness in the fabric.
Now, if you forget to wash your linen pants once or twice that’s not the end of the world. But opt for infrequent washing over a long period of time, and you’ll run into some issues as you would with almost any other fabric.
Conclusion: How to wash linen pants
Style should come naturally without too much time spent in the laundry room. Luckily, linen pants help in that department. As long as you follow a few simple rules, washing linen pants is stress-free.
Here are the essentials for how to wash linen pants.
- Stay away from hot water: high temperatures can cause linen pants to shrink. If you want your pieces to be in the same condition as when you first bought them, stick to temperatures at or below 30C.
- Turn the pants inside out: before placing linen pants into the washing machine, take the time to zip up any zippers and turn the pants inside out. It’ll help protect the fabric from scratching.
- Don’t jam-pack the washing machine: one of the things that will help the longevity of your linens is washing at half a load. It will give them plenty of space so they can be washed gently and not be damaged. Also, make sure to wash white linen pants with other light-coloured linens.
