Washing linen trousers

pink_fairy_7 · 12 June 2005 at 3:21PM

I have some black 100% Linen trousers which need cleaning. It says on the label DRY CLEAN ONLY. Do I need to do this or is it possible to wash them in the machine?

Pink Fairy

grownup1 · 12 June 2005 at 3:27PM

Yes, you can normally wash linen trousers. It does slightly change the texture though and there can be some shrinkage. If you want to minimise that, just stretch back into shape while damp. Watch out if there's a lining as it may shrink differently.

MATH · 12 June 2005 at 4:51PM

I always wash linen regardless of what the label may say. Line dry them and make sure you iron them before they are completely dry or you will have no chance of getting them crease free HTH

Sarahsaver · 12 June 2005 at 5:56PM

I have a linen suit and another linen mix suit. When I was a teacher we said the summer call of the english teacher was 'It's linen, It's supposed to be creased'

Most labels are just to cover the manufacturers in case something goes wrong - I am not legally responsible for holding this opinion etc...;)

redfox · 12 June 2005 at 8:55PM

I don't dry clean linen - I've found it's perfectly safe to hand wash in warm water - not sure I'd put them in the machine though as I'm sure the spin cycle puts more creases in than necessary. So hand wash and line drip dry and as another poster says always iron when still slightly damp to remove any creases before they set in!

Lucie_2 · 12 June 2005 at 9:31PM

I always wash my linen trousers as "normal" without any problems. I would like to emphasise MATH's iron while still wet/damp. It's far easier.

Jay-Jay_4 · 12 June 2005 at 9:39PM

......but whatever you do, don't allow your 'helpful' husband/partner to choose your linen pants as part of his first attempt at helping you with the washing because a 60 degree wash and an hour in a hot tumble dryer will leave your linen trousers resembling something that would fit Barbies boyfriend.... Ken :rolleyes: !

shandyclover · 2 September 2011 at 10:51PM

I picked up a very smart pair of beige linen trousers for OH in a sale, he loves them and I was congratulating myself for having found them for only E5.00. I don't have alot of experience with linen, so I checked the care label and it says 'Dry Clean Only'! - oh dear - that would cost more than I paid for the trousers! Does anyone know if it's possible to wash linen?