Caring for Linen in Florida Humidity
Linen is the most sensible thing to wear in South Florida and the fabric people most often mistreat, usually by fighting the thing that makes it good.
Why it suits the climate
Linen fibre is hollow and strong, so it moves moisture away from skin quickly and dries fast. It is also more durable than cotton and gets softer with use rather than wearing out.
The price is creasing. Linen creases because the fibre is stiff, and that is inseparable from the properties that make it cool. A linen shirt that never creases is not really behaving like linen.
The humidity problem
Linen absorbs a lot of moisture before it feels damp, which is exactly what makes it comfortable. In a humid climate that also means it holds onto moisture in a wardrobe where air is not moving.
That is how you end up with a musty smell on something that was clean when you put it away. It is not a cleaning failure. It is a storage and drying failure.
Practical consequences:
- Do not put linen away even slightly damp
- Do not store it packed tightly with no air movement
- Never store it in sealed plastic
- Give a crowded closet some breathing room, particularly in summer
Washing and drying
Check the label first, because tailored and lined linen should go to dry cleaning rather than water. For washable linen:
- Cool or warm water, never hot, which shrinks it
- A gentle cycle, since agitation abrades the fibre
- Do not overload, as linen needs room
- Skip fabric softener, which coats the fibre and reduces the moisture wicking that is the whole point
- Remove it from the machine immediately, because creases set as it dries
Best dried on a line or flat, out of direct sun. Strong sun fades linen and weakens it over time. If you use a dryer, use low heat and take it out while very slightly damp.
Pressing
Press linen damp. Dry linen resists the iron and you end up using more heat for a worse result. A hot iron on damp linen, ideally on the reverse for dark colours, gives a crisp finish without scorching.
If you want that finish reliably on shirts, pressing on shaped equipment does it better than any home iron. It is also considerably faster than fighting with a board.
Stains and sun
Linen is absorbent, so stains go in fast. Blot immediately, never rub, and do not apply heat. Perspiration on linen is worth dealing with promptly because it yellows the fibre over time.
Let us handle it
Linen shirts, trousers, jackets, dresses and household linen can all be collected free of charge. Call 954 983 7519 or request a free pickup. See our dry cleaning page.
La Mar 1 Hour Dry Cleaners, 6430 Pembroke Rd, Miramar, FL 33023. Family run since 1962.