Given how much time you spend in bed, there’s nothing sadder than your beloved, cosy sheets calling it quits due to general wear and tear. Now, we have good news for you if you’re a linen bedding devotee.

Pure, high-quality linen is a low-maintenance bedding option that requires very simple and straightforward care. Thanks to the durability of linen, it’ll naturally last longer than other types of bedding. In fact, linen is one of the strongest natural fibres there is, approximately 30% thicker and stronger than cotton. Unlike machine woven cotton which can succumb to wear and tear over time, flax linen actually improves with age and benefits from a low maintenance approach to care–yes, that means no ironing or dry cleaning necessary. 

But don’t give yourself a pat on the back just yet, we’ve rounded up some tips to ensure your trusty linen bedding lasts the distance (and then some).

10 Tips to Ensure Your Linen Bedding Lasts

1. Beware of plastic storage options

Unless you want your lovely linen to develop a yellow hue (uh, so that’s none of us), you should avoid storing it in plastic — yes, plastic bags are included. Due to the fact that linen is a natural fibre (it’s created from the flax plant) it needs to breathe.

Want to go one step further? Line your linen cupboard or storage space with acid-free tissue paper that can further assist in preventing your bedding from getting that yellow tinge. Can’t avoid plastic? Well, you know our thoughts on that but the next best option is to contain your linen within a linen bag (Bed Threads sends all linen bedding sets out in their own stylish, sustainable 100% Flax Linen storage sack, FYI).

2. Airtight containers? Avoid them too

We know, keeping spare linen sheets, duvets and pillowcases squirrelled away in airtight storage containers makes you feel organised and adult-like. But when it comes to your linen, storage containers will only trap in moisture and create a delightful environment for mildew to grow. Gross, right?

3. Keep it cool

Like ice cream and martinis, linen is best kept cool. No, don’t put it in your fridge, friends, just ensure you store your linen in a cool, dry drawer or cupboard.

4. Lights out

It’s also key to keep your linen bedding somewhere with minimal light exposure to ensure the longevity of the fabric.

5. Remove any washing roadblocks

Throw your linen sheets in with all your other dirty washing? We get it, it’s convenient. Just ensure that you’re not mixing them in with clothing that’s going to inflict wear and tear on your linen bedding. Keep items with buttons, zippers or velcro out of the wash so that they won’t cause pilling on your poor sheets.

6. Tackle stains on the spot

Thanks to the fact that linen is a natural fibre, any stains need to be addressed immediately. Are your sheets showing damning evidence of your nightly cake-in-bed habit? Don’t let stains simmer, ensure they don’t become permanent imperfections by washing them, pronto. First, sprinkle a little baking soda onto the offending mark, add a few drops of vinegar and blot gently with a paper towel to soak up excess moisture.

7. Keep ‘em dry

Are you guilty of pulling your linen sheets off the washing line before they’re fully dry? If you want them to last the distance, might we suggest just waiting — as inconvenient as it may feel — until your bedding is dry as a bone? This will mean that no mould or mildew can start growing on your sheets which is a much better result in our humble opinion.

8. Avoid the dry cleaners

Washing your linen is surprisingly simple — no dry cleaning needed. In fact, avoid the dry cleaners unless you want to ruin your cosy sheets; some of the chemicals used can weaken the fibres.

9. Give fabric softeners a miss

Add “fabric softeners” to your list of linen bedding enemies. These guys can coat the natural fibres of your linen and disintegrate them over time. Take a look at our Complete Guide on How to Soften Your Linen Sheets.

10. Remember: This is an iron-free zone

One of the most outstanding ways you can prolong the life of your linen bedding? Don’t iron it. Yes, you read that correctly. Linen will naturally become softer and cosier with every wash and the natural crumples are what give it that straight-out-of-an-interiors-magazine look.

Now that we’re on the topic, here’s exactly how to care for your linen bedding, and this is how often you should actually replace your sheets.