How to Wash a Linen Dress: 2 Lessons From Our Customers

We spend hours making our linen dresses. So naturally, we've spent quite a lot of time figuring out the best way to wash them.

How do you wash a linen dress? The good news is that it's super simple, and you shouldn't be afraid of putting it in the washing machine.

In fact, linen gets softer and more beautiful every time it comes out of the machine. So don't feel guilty about letting the robots do the work.

(It's honestly lower maintenance than our bedtime routine, which requires the perfect room temperature, white noise and organic sheets, and we still might not get six hours of sleep.)

Over the years, between our own experience and the advice our customers have shared, we've learned a few things about keeping linen dresses looking their best. Two lessons in particular make all the difference.

A garment bag and a low spin cycle. Always.

They're the two things we'd tell anyone who loves their linen clothing and wants it to last.

Below, we're sharing why these tips matter, along with a washing routine so easy you could even trust your teenager with it.

Lesson 1: Wash anything with ties in a garment bag

If you love your linen dresses (how can you not?), we'd strongly recommend popping them into a mesh garment bag before washing. Especially if they have ties or straps.

Here's why. As the machine spins, a loose tie can get caught on another garment or part of the machine.

If the dress keeps moving while the tie is stuck, it can pull on the stitching and, in the worst-case scenario, even cause a seam to come apart.

We'd prefer the stitching to stay exactly where we put it, thank you.

Luckily, avoiding this little laundry drama is ridiculously easy.

A mesh garment bag keeps the ties safely tucked away while still letting water and detergent through. Your dress gets a proper wash, without anything getting caught where it shouldn't.

It's a small precaution that makes a big difference to how well your dress holds up over time.

Which pieces go in a bag?

Not everything. A simple shift dress or a pair of linen pants can go straight in.

Reach for the bag whenever a piece has:

• Waist ties or sashes, like a wrap dress or a kimono-style dress.
• Wrap closures, where an inner tie threads through to the outside.
• Tie details on tops, like our Cortina Asymmetrical Top.
• Thin straps, on slip dresses and camisoles.
• A separate belt, which can go in the same bag as its dress so they come out together.

As a rule of thumb, if a piece has anything that could catch on another garment or the machine, wash it in a bag.

How to bag a linen dress

1. Untie every knot and bow. A knot that goes through the wash tied can tighten and leave a crease.
2. Turn the dress inside out. This protects the outer face of the fabric and keeps the colour looking rich.
3. Lay the ties flat along the dress, then fold or loosely roll the dress around them so the ties are tucked inside.
4. One dress per bag, with a little room to move so it rinses properly.
5. Zip it closed. If the zip pull has a little fabric flap, tuck it underneath.

No garment bag on hand? A clean, pale cotton pillowcase tied closed with a hair tie does the same job.

Lesson 2: Always choose a low spin cycle for linen

If we could only give one washing tip, this might be it. Turn the spin speed down. It's the simplest way to make your linen last.

Linen fibres are incredibly strong, but they don't have much natural stretch. A fast spin presses the wet fabric hard against the drum, folding and bending those fibres over and over.

One fast spin won't hurt. Hundreds of them, over years of wear, add up.

A low spin treats your dress gently every single wash. Less strain on the fibres, the seams, the stitching and those all-important ties, so your favourite pieces stay strong and beautiful for many years to come.

And there's a lovely bonus: linen spun gently comes out softer, with fewer creases, so it needs far less ironing (if any).

How low should you go?

Aim for 600 rpm or lower, or the lowest spin your machine offers. Many machines have a delicate or wool cycle with a low spin built in, which works perfectly.

Don't worry if it comes out a little wetter than usual. Linen dries quickly, and that extra moisture helps it relax into shape on the hanger.

The best way to wash a linen dress at home

With those two habits in place, the rest of the routine is simple.

1. Garment bag for anything with ties or straps.
2. Cold or lukewarm water, 30°C or below, on a gentle cycle.
3. A mild liquid detergent, and less of it than you think. Skip the bleach and fabric softener.
4. A low spin, then take it out as soon as the cycle finishes.

That's it. As always, check the garment tag first and follow anything specific it tells you.

Worried about shrinking? Our linen is pre-washed at our atelier in Portugal before it reaches you, so the big shrink has already happened.

Our guide on whether linen shrinks explains exactly what to expect.

Want the full rundown on temperatures, hand washing and everything in between? Our complete guide on how to wash linen has you covered. And for the pants in your life, here's how to wash linen pants.

How to dry a linen dress

Take the dress out of the bag straight away, give it a gentle shake and smooth the ties out.

Hang it on a wide or padded hanger to air dry, away from harsh direct sun. Let the ties hang loose so they dry straight.

Thanks to that gentle spin, most creases will drop out on their own as it dries.

In a hurry? Our guide on putting linen in the dryer covers how to do it safely. Spoiler: low heat, and take it out while it's still a little damp.

Washing the Kimonos and Amara dresses

They're our two bestsellers, and they have something in common: beautiful waist ties that deserve a little extra care.

The Kimonos Dress

The Kimonos Dress is the one our customers come back for in every colour. The waist tie gives it shape, so you can wear it cinched and defined or loose and easy.

Because the tie is long enough to wrap around your waist, it can easily catch on other clothes or the machine during a wash. Untie it and pop the dress in a garment bag, so the tie stays tucked away and the stitching isn't pulled.

The routine is the same whether yours is Oatmeal or the moody Wine colourway: untie, bag, low spin.

The Amara Cowl Neck Wrap Dress

The Amara Cowl Neck Wrap Dress is the office favourite, with a draped cowl neckline and a wrap that ties at the waist.

Like the Kimonos, it has waist ties that shape the whole silhouette. Undo them and tuck them in before it goes in the bag.

A low spin is especially kind to that soft cowl drape and the wrap's seams, so it keeps its beautiful shape for years.

Once it's dry, getting the knot back to perfect is half the fun. Our guide on how to tie a wrap dress covers every bow, knot and no-bow finish.

How to Wash a Linen Dress: FAQs

What's the best way to wash a linen dress?

Machine wash it inside out in a mesh garment bag, on a gentle cycle at 30°C or below, with mild detergent and a low spin. Hang it to dry on a wide hanger.

What spin speed should I use for linen?

A low spin, 600 rpm or lower, or the lowest your machine offers. It's gentler on the fibres and seams, so your linen lasts longer, and it comes out softer too.

Can you put a linen dress in the washing machine?

Yes, unless the garment tag says otherwise. Linen is strong when wet and softens with every wash. Keep the cycle gentle and the water cool.

Do you need a garment bag to wash linen?

Not for every piece, but it's a smart habit for anything with ties, straps or wrap details. The bag keeps ties contained so they don't tangle with the rest of the load.

Should I untie the waist ties before washing?

Yes, always. A knot washed tight can leave a crease. Lay the ties flat and fold them inside the dress before bagging.

Will my linen dress shrink in the wash?

Not much, if you keep the water cool and skip high dryer heat. LUXMII linen is pre-washed before it reaches you, so most of the natural shrinkage has already happened.

How to Wash a Linen Dress: The Cheat Sheet

Linen really is one of the easiest fabrics to live with. Two small habits, and your dress will keep looking beautiful for years.

• Garment bag for anything with ties or straps, from linen wrap dresses to tie tops. Untie, turn inside out, fold the ties in.
• Low spin, always. 600 rpm or lower, so your linen pieces last for years.
• Keep the rest simple: gentle cycle, 30°C or below, mild detergent. It works for all your linen clothing.
• Hang to dry on a wide hanger, ties loose.
• Spills before wash day? Treat them first with our guide to removing stains from linen.
• Want it crisp again? Here's how to iron linen without the fuss.