Material file · Clothes
Linen: what it can take
Covers linen shirts, dresses, tablecloths and napkins. Soaking is allowed, which gives enzymes and oxygen bleach time to work without scrubbing.
- Water
- Yes
- Max temperature
- 40 °C (104 °F)
- Rubbing
- Gently
- Stain files
- 40
01 What it is
It is machine- or hand-washable, so treatments can be rinsed out properly.
The fibre in linen is cellulose (plant fibre such as cotton, linen or viscose), which tolerates most household cleaners, warm water and enzymes.
Its dyes are the limiting factor: anything that oxidises or strips colour must be tested first.
It comes in white and in colours; what is safe on white cotton is not always safe on coloured.
02 House rules
- Soaking is allowed, which gives enzymes and oxygen bleach time to work without scrubbing.
03 Field notes
- Linen is a cellulose fibre, but dyes, finishes, construction and care instructions determine which treatments it can tolerate.
- Chlorine bleach weakens linen fibres faster than cotton; oxygen bleach is the safer whitener.
04 Every cleaner, rated
| Cleaner | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Acetone | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baking soda | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Borax | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Citrus adhesive remover | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Cornstarch | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Dish soap | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Bio detergent | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Enzyme cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Hot water | Test first | Hot water fades dyes faster and can shrink cotton; keep to the care-label temperature. |
| Household ammonia | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Hydrogen peroxide 3% | Test first | It can lighten dyes; test on an inside seam and keep contact short. |
| Oxalic acid cleanser | Test first | It can lighten dyes; test a seam. |
| Oxygen bleach | Test first | Colour-safe on most dyes; check a hidden seam with a dab of solution first. |
| Rubbing alcohol | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Steam cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White vinegar | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Lemon juice | Avoid | Lemon plus daylight bleaches dyed fabric unevenly. |
| WD-40 | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Chlorine bleach | Never | It strips colour from dyed fabric. |
| Magic eraser | Never | It shreds and pills fabric fibres. |
05 Stains on linen
| Stain | Difficulty | Never |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ sauce | Tough | Hot water, The dryer |
| Bike chain and motor grease | Tough | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Mildew and mould spots | Tough | The dryer, Mixing bleach |
| Nail polish | Tough | Rubbing, Acetone on acetate |
| Scorch marks | Tough | Rubbing |
| Sweat and yellow underarm stains | Tough | Chlorine bleach, Hot water |
| Turmeric and curry | Tough | Hot water, The dryer |
| Ballpoint ink | Stubborn | Hairspray, Rubbing |
| Beetroot | Stubborn | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Berries | Stubborn | Bar soap, Hot water |
| Chocolate | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Grape and cranberry juice | Stubborn | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Grass | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Grease and cooking oil | Stubborn | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Lily pollen | Stubborn | Your bare hand, Water first |
| Lipstick | Stubborn | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Mascara and eyeliner | Stubborn | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Mustard | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Red wine | Stubborn | Hot water, Salt as a stain-removal substitute |
| Rust | Stubborn | Chlorine bleach, The dryer |
| Salad dressing | Stubborn | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Sunscreen | Stubborn | Chlorine bleach, The dryer |
| Tomato sauce and ketchup | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Avocado | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Blood | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Butter | Manageable | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Candle wax | Manageable | Hot water, Rubbing |
| Coffee | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Cola and soda | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Egg | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Foundation and concealer | Manageable | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Gravy | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Hair and body oil | Manageable | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Matcha | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Perfume | Manageable | The dryer, Ironing |
| Soy sauce | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Tea | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Beer | Easy | Hot water, The dryer |
| Bronzer, blush and eyeshadow | Easy | Water first, Rubbing |
| Orange juice | Easy | Hot water, The dryer |
06 The most common mistakes on linen
Counted across all 40 stain files for linen:
- The dryer before it is gone (36 files). Dryer heat locks in whatever is left. Air-dry and check first.
- Hot water (26 files). Hot water helps the colour bond, and leftover sugar browns later under an iron or in a dryer.
- Rubbing or scrubbing (24 files). It spreads the stain and grinds it deeper; blot instead.
- Bar soap or soap flakes (6 files). True soap is alkaline, and alkalis set tannin stains such as wine, coffee, tea and fruit.
- Chlorine bleach (4 files). Do not assume chlorine bleach is suitable for this stain or material. Follow the care label and product restrictions; it can remove dyes and damage fibres.
- Ironing over it (3 files). Heat browns leftover sugar and melts wax deeper into the fibres.
07 What the linen files use most
These are the products the 40 stain files for linen rely on most. Enzyme laundry detergent leads because enzymes act on particular substances: proteases on proteins, amylases on starch and lipases on fats.
08 When to call a professional
Antique table linen, heirloom napkins and linen-silk blends.