How To Remove Stains From Linen – Expert Tips That Work

Linen, as a fabric, has been around for centuries and was once favoured by royalty; today, it has become a symbol of quiet luxury and everyone wants to get their hands on some linen clothes. What makes linen so special is the fact that it is highly resilient, but like many other fabrics it is also prone to stains. While linen is a durable material, the natural fibers can break down over time, especially if exposed to harsh chemicals or excessive agitation and stains can embed themselves into the fibers, making them challenging to remove.

Linen stain removal – 101!

• Timing is everything - The sooner you tackle a stain, the easier it is to remove; fresh stains are much easier to remove than those that have set into the fabric. As soon as a spill occurs, do not rub! Simply blot the area with a clean cloth and try to absorb as much of the stain as possible. If the stain is with a solid, then you can use a spoon or a butter knife to scrape as much as possible off. It is important to remember that rubbing can push the stain deeper into the fibers, making it more difficult to remove later. 
• Pre-treat – Linen, especially what you can get at Linen Trail, is machine washable, but if your linen clothing has a stain, you need to pre-treat before you put it into the machine. By pre-treating the fabric, you can ensure that the stain remover or detergent is able to penetrate the fabric better, making it easier to lift the stain during washing. The method of pre-treating will be dependent on the type of stain – grease-based stains can be broken down by a gentle dish wash liquid, while protein stains need a cold-water rinse beforehand. 
• Picking the right stain remover - Removing stains from linen is also highly dependent on the stain remover you choose. It is important to remember that harsh chemicals can damage the fibers and cause discoloration, which is why it is essential to choose natural or eco-friendly solutions whenever possible. Here are some easy to use and natural stain removers
  

1. White vinegar - Vinegar is highly effective at breaking down organic stains and odours. Simply dilute with some water and spray onto the stained area as a pre-treatment.
2. Baking soda – Yet another all-natural option, which can be applied to the stains directly; make a paste with some water and apply to the stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and washing. 
3. Hydrogen peroxide - This is a safe bleach alternative for white or light-coloured linen, because it is not as potent as bleach. Apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

• Wash care – After the pre-treatment has been done, you can move onto the washing part; Linen Trail clothing can be hand and machine washed. Always use cold or lukewarm water, because hot water can cause linen to shrink and may set stains permanently. Similarly, remember to use a mild liquid detergent, because powder versions could leave residue and harsh chemicals can damage the fibers. If you are washing in the machine, then select a gentle or delicate cycle.

Tips for removing stains from linen that actually work!

Most of the times, we end up with very similar kinds of stains – food, drink, ink and so on. Knowing how to tackle these is step one to ensuring the longevity of your linen clothing. We have listed out some of the most common stains and the easiest ways to remove them:

• Tea or coffee – As soon as the tea or coffee spills, try to use a clean cloth or absorbent kitchen towel to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. Then mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and apply to the stain, and you can rinse it off with cold water. If needed, you can repeat the process. 
• Fruit juice – Just as with tea or coffee, you need to start by blotting away as much and then rinse with cold water. You can hand wash the stain with a mild detergent. If the stain persists, you can use a vinegar-water solution too.  
• Red wine – With red wine, you need to sprinkle salt over the stain immediately and you need to let the salt dry off. Once dry, gently brush the salt off and rinse with cold water, before putting in the machine. If the stain has dried, then you need to apply white vinegar, directly on the stained area and gently rub off before rinsing. 
• Grease and oil – Here is how to remove grease stains from linen; for fresh stains, you can apply any dish soap and gently rub it before rinsing with slightly hot water. If the stain has dried, then you need to soak the garment in a warm water-dish soap solution for about 30 minutes and then you can put it to wash.
• Ink – As soon as the ink spills, place a clean cloth on the stained area, because you don’t want the ink spreading. You can dab the stain with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover and then rinse with cold water.  
• Blood – if you have a blood stain on linen, you need to soak the fabric in cold water, ideally overnight. You can use lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide on the stain and then blot with a clean cloth. Rinse with cold water and repeat the process if needed. 
• Sweat – In case you are looking for ways of how to remove sweat stains from linen, then baking soda will come to your rescue. Make a paste with baking soda and water and let it sit on the stain for about 30 minutes, before rinsing with cold water. 

Once you learn how to remove stains from linen, it will be so much easier to maintain your clothes. At Linen Trail, you can find some of the classiest and most easy to maintain linen clothes for men and women!