Good table linen is an investment. And like most things worth having, it rewards a little care. The good news is that both linen and cotton are robust, practical fabrics they don't need to be fussed over, they just need to be treated right.
This guide covers everything: washing, drying, ironing, dealing with stains, and how to store your pieces so they stay looking their best for years.
Washing Your Table Linen
The golden rule: 30°C
Whether you're washing linen or cotton, 30°C is the sweet spot. It's warm enough to clean thoroughly and lift everyday marks, but cool enough to protect the fabric and keep your printed colours looking vivid. Higher temperatures — particularly anything above 40°C — can cause both linen and cotton to shrink, and over time will fade even the most robust digital print.
Always check the care label on your specific piece, but as a general rule: if in doubt, wash cooler.
Linen-specific washing tips
- Wash linen on its own or with other natural fabrics. Avoid washing with heavy items like towels or denim that can cause friction and pilling
- Use a gentle or delicate cycle. Linen is strong but benefits from a slower spin
- A mild, colour-safe detergent is ideal, avoid anything with optical brighteners, which can affect natural fabric over time
- Don't overfill the machine, linen needs room to move freely in the drum
- Linen may feel slightly stiff when it first comes out of the wash but this is completely normal and softens as it dries and is used
Cotton-specific washing tips
- Cotton is slightly more forgiving than linen and can handle a standard 30°C cotton cycle.
- Wash dark or richly printed cotton separately for the first few washes in case of any minor colour transfer.
- Like linen, avoid harsh detergents. A colour-safe liquid detergent is best for printed fabrics.
- Cotton can handle a slightly faster spin than linen, but keeping it moderate helps reduce creasing.
What to avoid for both
- Bleach, even diluted, it will damage both the fabric and the print.
- Fabric softener, it coats the natural fibres and reduces absorbency over time. It's not needed; both linen and cotton soften naturally with washing.
- Washing at high temperatures. 60°C and above will shrink, fade and eventually break down natural fibres.
Drying Your Table Linen
Line drying is always best
Line drying is the kindest thing you can do for both linen and cotton table linen. It's gentle on the fabric, naturally freshens the cloth, and reduces creasing compared to tumble drying. Wherever possible, dry outside on a line or on an airer indoors.
How to line dry for the best results
- Shake the cloth out well before hanging to reduce creasing.
- Hang lengthways rather than folded over the line, this helps the fabric dry evenly and minimises fold marks.
- Dry in the shade where possible, prolonged direct sunlight can fade printed fabrics over time.
- Bring linen in while it's still very slightly damp if you plan to iron,it presses far more easily this way.
Can you tumble dry table linen?
Tumble drying is best avoided for printed table linen, the heat can affect the print over time and both linen and cotton are prone to shrinkage in a hot dryer. If you do need to use a tumble dryer, use the lowest heat setting and remove the cloth while it's still slightly damp.
Ironing Your Table Linen
Linen
Linen irons beautifully but it needs to be ironed slightly damp to get a crisp result. If your linen has dried fully on the line, lightly mist it with water before ironing, or use the steam function on your iron.
- Iron on the reverse side to protect the print.
- Use a medium high heat setting
- Iron in long, smooth strokes, don't press the iron down heavily in one spot.
- Linen will crease again in use this is part of its character, not a flaw.
Cotton
Cotton is slightly easier to iron than linen and can handle a higher heat. Like linen, it irons best when slightly damp.
- Iron on the reverse side where possible to protect the print.
- A medium-high heat with steam gives the best results.
- For heavily creased cotton, a damp pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric can help.
A note on creasing
Both linen and cotton will crease in use, this is the nature of natural fabric and is not something to worry about. A few gentle creases on a laid table are part of the relaxed, lived-in quality that makes natural table linen so appealing. If you want a completely crisp look for a formal occasion, iron your cloth and lay the table just before guests arrive.
Dealing with Stains
Stains happen, especially on a table linen that's being used and enjoyed. The key is to act quickly and avoid harsh treatments that can damage the fabric or the print.
The first response
- Blot, don't rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into the fibres.
- Remove any solid matter gently with a spoon or blunt knife before treating.
- Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric to push the stain out rather than through.
Common stains
- Red wine: blot immediately, then treat with cold water and a small amount of washing up liquid before washing at 30°C
- Candle wax: allow to set completely, then gently scrape off the solid wax before placing a piece of brown paper over the area and pressing gently with a warm iron the paper absorbs the remaining wax.
- Grease or oil: sprinkle with a little bicarbonate of soda to absorb the oil before brushing off gently and treating with a small amount of washing up liquid
- General food marks: cold water and a gentle rub with washing up liquid before a 30°C wash will deal with most everyday stains
What to avoid
- Hot water on fresh stains, heat sets stains into fabric.
- Rubbing vigorously, this damages the fibres and can affect the print.
- Bleach or stain removers with strong chemicals, these will affect both the fabric and the printed design. Always test any product on a hidden area first.
Storing Your Table Linen
How you store your table linen matters more than most people realise, particularly for printed pieces where fold lines in the same place over a long period can eventually weaken the fabric.
- Store linen and cotton clean, never put away a stained cloth, as stains set over time and become much harder to remove.
- Fold loosely rather than tightly. Sharp, repeated fold lines in the same place can eventually crease the fabric permanently.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will fade fabric over time even in storage.
- Avoid plastic bags or airtight containers, natural fabrics need to breathe. A cotton storage bag or a linen drawer is ideal
- If storing for a long period, refold occasionally to change the fold lines.
A Note on Linen Getting Better With Age
One of the things we love most about linen is that it genuinely improves with use and washing. New linen can feel slightly crisp, after a few washes it softens and becomes more supple, more relaxed, and more beautiful. The colours settle, the texture mellows, and the cloth begins to feel like it belongs on your table.
Cotton behaves similarly, regular washing at the right temperature keeps it soft, fresh and looking its best.
The cloths that are used and cared for properly are the ones that last for years and become genuinely loved pieces. That's exactly what good table linen should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does linen shrink in the wash?
Linen can shrink slightly in its first wash, particularly at higher temperatures. Washing at 30°C and line drying minimises any shrinkage. After the first wash or two, linen stabilises and holds its size well.
Can I wash printed table linen in a hot wash?
We recommend 30°C for all printed table linen, linen and cotton alike. Hot washes will fade the print over time and can cause shrinkage. 30°C cleans thoroughly without compromising the fabric or the design.
How do I get creases out of linen without ironing?
Hang linen while it's still slightly damp and smooth it out by hand. Gravity does a lot of the work as it dries. Alternatively, a quick blast with a clothes steamer is very effective and kinder to the fabric than a hot iron.
How often should I wash my tablecloth?
After every use for a dining tablecloth. Food, drink and the natural oils from hands all transfer to the fabric during a meal. For decorative cloths or runners that aren't in direct contact with food, washing every few uses is fine. Regular washing at the correct temperature actually keeps natural fibres in good condition.
Can I dry clean my table linen?
Most linen and cotton table linen doesn't need dry cleaning and is better off washed at home at 30°C. Dry cleaning chemicals can be harsh on natural fibres over time. Always check the care label on your specific piece if you're unsure.
