Today is what my mum would have called 'A good drying day'. Line-dried textiles smell like nothing else (what causes that?) and, obviously, it's a far more eco-friendly way to dry your washing. It's relatively easy to set up a line in your garden, or on your balcony, and it's much cheaper than using a tumble dryer. Apart from the occasional dash into the garden when it rains it's really a win-win situation. However there are certain useful tips, or dare I say wrinkles, to make laundering certain fabrics that much easier.
A lot of people shy away from linen and hemp clothing because of its tendency to crease. Others see that as part of its charm. Either way, there are laundering techniques that solve a lot of the problems associated with the care of linen-weave textiles.
Firstly, wash and iron garments inside out - especially if they're dyed. When linen-type fabrics crease the colour can wear off a little and you get lighter crease lines; turning inside out when laundering prevents this happening. Keep the item turned inside out when you iron these fabrics (and also cotton) or you can end up with a nasty shine on raised seams and details. Alternatively press with a cloth in between iron and garment (a damp cloth for preference).
Secondly, always iron linens whilst damp. Don't leave them on the line until they are solid! If they've dried too much simply spray a little water over them a few minutes before ironing, to allow the fabric to relax. Alternatively the damp cloth helps with this problem. Obviously steam irons are invaluable too.
Thirdly, when you take linens from the washing machine give them a good tug back into shape. Spend extra time doing this and there will be much less ironing later on. Years ago I had problems laundering some old napkins and tablecloths and my mum passed on a tip which I now pass on to you. When the item is still damp from washing pull across the weave in both directions; in other words if you're washing a tablecloth then pull from corner to corner one way and then the other, trying to do this over the whole item. Then pull straight across, working from top to bottom; hold both sides and pull quickly apart to get a nice 'snap'. Then turn the item 90 degrees and do it from the other side. By now a lot of the worst creases will have disappeared so try to dry it on the line carefully to avoid adding more. Even better, whilst the linen is drying give it a quick tug to remove even more creases every time you wander past. Doing this will sometimes allow you to get away with ironing entirely if you're not worried about a slightly rumpled look and aren't after the crispness of freshly pressed linens.
Lastly, another little tip for reducing creases when you're wearing a linen or hemp garment. These fabrics are lovely, are wonderfully cool in summer, and have a charming natural appearance but they tend to crease during wear. This is most noticeable where the garment creases such as around elbows and, heaven forfend, the groin! To reduce these a little simply damp your hands and rub over the offending area. The aim is, again, to relax the fibres so you can pull out some of the creases. Don't soak the fabric unless you want some strange looks; just slightly wet hands are enough to reduce the creasing.
Happy laundering!
