Caring for linen so it lasts for years

Good linen is an investment that rewards a little care. Unlike cotton, flax fibres actually soften with every wash — the trick is not to undo that with heat or harsh detergent.

Wash on a gentle cycle at 40°C or below with a mild detergent. Skip fabric softener — it coats the fibres and stops linen breathing. Wash colours separately for the first few cycles.

Tumble dry on low and take it out slightly damp, or line-dry in the shade. Over-drying is the main thing that makes linen feel stiff. A quick shake before you make the bed relaxes the creases.

Linen's soft, lived-in creasing is the point — most people never iron it. If you prefer it crisp, press while still slightly damp on a medium setting.

Do this and a linen set stays cool in summer, warm in winter, and gets more comfortable every year. It's the rare bedding that looks better after five years than it did new.