Taking Care of Linen--How to Care for Your Delicate Linen Clothing

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Linen. We love the look--at least when we first put it on. Linen is notorious for wrinkling, and in an odd way, that's part of its charm.

But whether you struggle to keep your linen looking pressed, or embrace the wrinkled look as your own, you still confront the age-old question--wash or dry clean?

Linen jackets, suits, and dresses must be dry cleaned to keep their inner construction (facings, lining, shoulder pads, etc.) intact. As a bonus, dry cleaning restores linen's crip shape and finish.

If you want your linen shirts and shorts to have that same crispness, then have them dry cleaned. However, if you prefer a more relaxed look and feel to your linen, wash them at home.

According to CP Shades Clothing co-owner David Weinstein, casual linen pieces can be washed at home in the washer and dryer--and in fact, he prefers this method. "The more you wash linen, the less wrinkled it gets, because washing makes it softer," he says.

Before you wash linen blends, however, be sure to check the label. Mixes with other fibers such as silk and rayon can dictate the garment be dry cleaned...or head to the rag bag.

Avoid folding linen, and always iron it when it's damp.