Care & Preparation Instructions for Linen Yarn

Before Dyeing: Scouring

To ensure the linen absorbs color evenly, we recommend a gentle scouring before mordanting.

1. Fill a pot with warm water and add a small amount of mild, pH-neutral soap (or a tiny pinch of soda ash for heavily processed fibers).
2. Submerge the skeins fully and let them soak for 20–30 minutes.
3. Rinse until the water runs clear.
4. Do not wring; gently press out the water to avoid stretching the yarn.

This simple step removes oils, dust, and spinning residues, helping the dye bond more consistently.

Before Dyeing: Mordanting

For plant dyes, linen performs best with a simple alum mordant.

1. Prepare an alum bath at 20–25% WOF (weight of fiber).
2. Dissolve the alum fully in hot water before adding it to the pot.
3. Add the pre-scoured, wet skeins and heat gently—no hotter than 80°C—for about 1 hour.
4. Allow to cool in the bath for the best uptake.
5. Rinse lightly or proceed directly to dyeing.

Linen, like all cellulose fibers, benefits from a slow warm mordant to open the fibers and encourage rich, even color.

After Dyeing: Care Instructions

• Hand-wash gently in cool water.
• Use mild, pH-neutral soap only.
• Avoid bleach, brighteners, or harsh detergents.
• Press out water gently; do not wring.
• Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight.
• Naturally dyed colors may soften or shift with time — a beautiful, organic part of plant-dyed linen.