What lea count means
The number on our labels tells you how fine the linen yarn is, and what the shirt will feel like.
How to wash a linen shirt
Cold water, no wringing, and dry it in the shade: three habits that double the life of a linen shirt.
Linen gets better with washing, but only if the washing is gentle. The fibre is strong when wet and brittle when baked dry, so most damage happens on the clothesline, not in the machine.
Wash linen in cold or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle, with a mild liquid detergent. Skip bleach, even on white shirts; it weakens the fibre and leaves a yellow cast after a few months. Turn the shirt inside out so the buttons do not knock against the drum.
Do not wring it. Shake the shirt out, button the top button and hang it on a plastic hanger in the shade. Chennai sun will dry it in an hour and fade it in a season. If you want a crisp look, iron while it is still slightly damp, on the cotton setting, from the inside.
Once a year, soak whites for an hour in water with a spoon of baking soda before washing. It lifts the sweat marks at the collar without harsh chemicals. A linen shirt cared for this way should last four to five summers of regular wear.
