O/T? Linen shirts

[Talbot]

Well, spring is progressing down under and the time for summer clothing approaches.

I have a couple of linen shirts that I can never, ever get soft and wrinkle free.

They are rinsed well and free from detergent/powder etc, but they dry stiff and will not iron out properly.

I know it can be done, what am I missing - fabric softener?

 

[Rachael]

How are you drying the shirts? I have had luck with ironing linen while it's still slightly damp. Also, putting in the dryer with no heat can help knock some of the stiffness out

 

[Geesie]

Have you used a steamer?

 

[Warbaby]

Linen needs to be dampened before ironing. It may still be stiff, depending on the fabric, but at least it'll be smooth.

 

[Tomasso]

they dry stiff and will not iron out properly.

There are varying qualities of linen; some like cardboard, some like silk. [huh]

 

[Warbaby]

The stiffer linen fabrics can sometimes be softend by a good thrashing with a broom handle or baseball bat (do not attempt this while wearing the shirt). After washing and drying, lay the shirt on your bed and pound the hell out of it with a broom handle (this can also be very theraputic), then dampen and iron it. A few such treatments will often work wonders on hard-finished linen.

 

[Miss Sis]

Iron linen with a hot iron whilst very damp.

How it comes out after that is down to the nature of the linen it is made from.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The stiffer linen fabrics can sometimes be softend by a good thrashing with a broom handle or baseball bat (do not attempt this while wearing the shirt).

wish i knew that yesterday. boy, do i hurt...

 

[Rachael]

now my suggestion of using the dryer seems so very dull and uncathartic. :eusa_doh:

 

[Feraud]

There are varying qualities of linen; some like cardboard, some like silk. [huh]

This has been my experience too.