Mens linen shirts and mens linen pants generally require the same type of
care. Unfortunately the same characteristic of linen that makes it a great choice of material and allows your
clothes to help wick away moisture is that it is a stiff fabric. The result is once the fiber is "bent" or creased
it tends to stay that way, unlike a material like silk. And the more moisture it absorbs from your body only makes
the problem worse.
The first rule of thumb is to read the care labels. Different manufacturers may use blends or coatings
that require a specific cleaning approach. Mens linen suits always require dry cleaning.
Usually, mens linen shirts and pants can be machine-washed in warm water. Make sure you use a gentle cycle or
better yet hand wash. Over time washing will tend to soften the linen material and make it less susceptible to
wrinkling.
If you want to hand wash your linen clothes it’s best to use a small tub with warm water and soap suds. Do not
use bleach because it will damage the fibers. Rub the linen in the mix and then take it out. If you have stained
the linen material what you do will depend on what type of stain you have. Generally you want to rub the stained
areas immediately with cold water (which prevents the stain from setting in), and if you can allow the clothing to
soak in laundry detergent. Another approach is to rub the stain with white vinegar, or sprinkling some talcum
powder on the stain while letting the garment lay flat overnight.
Once you're done hand- or machine-washing, air-dry the linen garment. You can then iron it, or wear it as is. It
is not a good idea to use a clothes dryer to dry your linen clothes. The best approach is to allow the garment to
air dry. You can do this by placing it on a hanger (use a padded hanger preferably) or you can lay it flat on a
towel and allow it to dry.