Ironing Linen: Can You Steam Linen?

• Linen is one of the sturdiest materials, therefore ironing it might be challenging sometimes.
• The best tool used to remove wrinkles from linen is iron with steaming function;
• In the article below, we will show you not only how to remove wrinkles from linen pants, but also from various types of clothing.

A steamer is a great tool that can remove creases from various fabrics and materials in no time. The steamer is considered a safer option when it comes to removing wrinkles, especially from delicate fabrics. That's exactly why clothes we collect from dry cleaners' look so nice and crisp!

However, a steamer works differently on different materials - for some of them, it requires more effort, for others - way less. That usually depends on what fibers the materials are made of. For example, fabrics that are made of natural fibers (linen, wool, cotton, silk) require more gentle care and specific knowledge in order to make them wrinkle-free without damaging them.

Linen is one of the highest quality natural materials that is made of very strong natural flax fibers. In addition to its amazing benefits, this fabric also tends to crease very quickly. As linen fabric is very sturdy, sometimes it can get really challenging to iron the wrinkles from it completely.

Hot steaming iron is the best option when It comes to removing creases from linen clothing. In the article below, we will show you how to use a steam iron to remove wrinkles from any linen clothes properly!

Linen and Steamer

Linen is a strong fabric made of pure flax plants. It dries very fast and wrinkles easily. In order to remove wrinkles from sturdy linen clothes, it is important to soften the fabric first. For that - a lot of hot steam is required.

Usually, a high-pressure steamer can only work the wrinkles out. Also, it is very important to have a proper ironing board or a flat surface to spread the linen fabric widely without leaving any folded edges that can cause creasing.

Remove Wrinkles from Linen with a Steam Iron

Tools for Ironing Linen Fabric

• Spraying bottle with clean water.
• An iron that would have high-pressure steam.
• Ironing board that is an appropriate size, stands securely and doesn't wobble.
• Towel or cloth to put in between the linen cloth and hot iron (that prevents linen fabric from getting damaged and shiny).

Process of Steaming Linen Clothes

1. Lay your wrinkled linen fabric on a sturdy ironing board or a flat surface. Alternatively, you can hang it on a hanger or over the door.
2. Fill the spray bottle with clean water and dampen your dry linen cloth all over. This way, wrinkles will start to release easier.
3. Set the iron to high heat (linen, unless it is super lightweight, can be steamed with a very high heat setting).
4. Slowly and gently move the hot steamer up and down all over the wrinkles.
5. After that, do the same to the inside of the linen fabric up until all the wrinkles are gone (or most of them).
6. Important: Don't fold the linen clothes or other garments just after they are steamed - let them dry up completely.

Tips for Ironing Linen Clothes and Shirts

• If the wrinkled linen garment is completely dry - always dampen it with a spray bottle of clean water. Make sure you don't miss the collars of shirts, pockets of the pants, and other hidden places.
• Make sure your iron is set on the high heat (or simply linen setting).
• Always check if the faceplate of the iron is clean. Fill out the iron with water.
• Check the ironing board surface if there are no stains that could leave marks on your linen garment after the ironing process.
• It is always recommended to start ironing inside out of the fabric, especially if a garment is steamed for the first time.
• Do not press the iron on a garment too much. Pressing hot iron or leaving it in one place for too long might damage the fabric irreparably. Actually, it is very recommended to use a pressing cloth while ironing the linen clothes to avoid any disasters or shiny surfaces.
• For an even crisper look, try starching linen clothes before ironing them. This will make your linen dress or shirts look even more refreshing.
• Never wear or fold just steamed linen clothes - let them dry up completely first. Otherwise, the creases and wrinkles will return instantly.

Final Word

Steaming linen clothes might seem difficult but it's actually pretty straightforward. Of course, only if you know the essential tips on how to do so! Shortly speaking, linen fabric is sturdy, therefore requires some extra effort to remove the wrinkles completely. Appropriate linen fabric preparation before ironing, a generous amount of hot steam, and some gentle moves will help you get rid of the wrinkles quickly and easily!