How to make linen fabric softer

Purchasing linen fabric, we can’t always say for sure what it will be used for. Let’s say you’ve bought fairly coarse quality linen for sewing a blanket, and end up with some fabric pieces left. There may be an idea that comes to your mind to sew something else then also. And here is where a question of softening the fabric arises.

What is the best fabric softener for linen?

This technique is only suitable for 100% natural linen items. It is because only this quality linen possesses the highest durability and can endure such an aggressive approach. You will need salt and water. You can use regular table salt or bath salt.

So, start by diluting about a cup of salt in a small basin. Make sure that the salt is completely dissolved. Now place your linen fabric in this water and keep it there overnight. In the morning, load your fabric out of the basin and into your washer machine, setting the wash to about 60 Degrees Celsius and maximum number or rotations. Don’t worry about your flax fabric - linen is very durable. You can add just a bit of conditioner - doing so might bring additional softness. When the wash is complete, shake the fabric to straighten it. And don’t wait for the fabric to dry completely - iron it. Voila! Your linen fabric became smoother and nicer to touch. Now you can easily make clothes or home textiles out of it.

However, when you are holding a mixed fabric, composed of, let’s say, linen and cotton, the suggestions above won’t work. You can wash such mixed fabric in kids’ detergent or detergent with fabric softener.

Also, you can use the dry spin method, loading the fabric into the washer machine for the spin cycle with maximum rotations, ironing the item with a steamer after.

And always remember that natural linen fabric has a unique quality. After many washes, linen becomes softer. And that is why over time any linen item only becomes nicer and nicer to touch.