Linen Care

The fabric that gets better with every wash — if you treat it right.

Linen is one of the oldest, most breathable, most naturally beautiful fabrics in the world. It softens beautifully with age, it's kind to your skin, and a well-made linen piece truly can last decades. But it does have an opinion about how it's treated.

Here's what you need to know:

Your pieces arrive pre-washed — no shrinkage, ever. Every Isla & Saige linen garment is pre-washed before it ships to you. We do this so the fabric has already gone through the shrinkage process before it reaches your hands. That means you can machine wash with complete confidence, from the very first time.

Wash cold, always. Cold water is gentler on fibers, keeps your colors true longer, and cleans just as effectively as hot. There is no upside to washing linen in warm or hot water — it only adds unnecessary stress to the fabric.

Air dry whenever you can. This is the single best thing you can do for your linen. Hang it on a line or lay it flat and let it dry naturally. Your pieces will last significantly longer, hold their shape better, and the fabric will stay strong wash after wash. It's the way linen was always meant to be cared for.

The dryer: use it when you need to, not as a habit. Because we pre-wash everything, your pieces won't shrink in the dryer. So yes, if you're in a hurry, you can use it. But we'll be honest with you: repeated heat cycles break down linen fibers over time, even on low settings. The dryer is a great tool for a pinch. It's just not a routine we'd recommend if you want these pieces to go the distance. If you do use it, always choose the lowest heat setting available.

No bleach, Ever. Bleach weakens the fibers and strips natural color. It has no place in linen care.

Iron while damp for best results. Linen wrinkles, that's part of its character. If you want a crisper look, iron while the fabric is still slightly damp on a low to medium setting. It makes the whole process easier and the results much smoother. A good steamer works beautifully too.

The bottom line: cold wash, air dry, dryer only when necessary. Do that consistently and your linen will be with you for a very long time.