Can you iron linen?

Linen takes the highest iron setting of any common fabric and genuinely needs it. The trick is moisture rather than heat alone: dry linen resists creasing out no matter how hot the iron, while damp linen presses smooth easily. Iron it while still slightly damp from the wash, or spray it thoroughly first. Press dark linen inside out, because the high heat can produce a sheen on the face of the fabric.

How to do it properly

1. Iron while the garment is still slightly damp, or spray it evenly with water.
2. Use the linen setting with steam on.
3. Press dark colours inside out to avoid a sheen.
4. Hang immediately rather than folding, which puts creases straight back in.

Other "can you iron" questions

• Can you iron polyester? It depends — Yes on the low synthetic setting, inside out, with a cloth between iron and fabric.
• Can you iron velvet? No — No. Pressing crushes the pile flat and it does not come back.