Linen responds well to prompt stain treatment in most cases — the flax fibre's structure means that most common stains (food, wine, oil, salt) can be addressed effectively without specialist treatment if handled correctly within the first hour of the stain occurring.

The general principle. Act promptly. A stain on linen that is treated within an hour of occurring is significantly easier to remove than one that has been left to set through a wash cycle at the wrong temperature or allowed to dry into the fabric. The most common mistake: rubbing the stain vigorously, which can push it deeper into the weave and damage the surface of the fabric.

Food and drink stains on linen. Blot (do not rub) with a clean cloth to remove as much of the substance as possible. Rinse with cool water — not hot, which can set certain stains permanently into the natural fibre. Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent directly to the stain, work it gently into the fabric with a finger or soft brush, leave for five to ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water before washing the garment normally at 30-40 degrees.

Red wine. Blot immediately with a clean cloth — linen responds well to prompt treatment, then apply cold water and a small amount of table salt or a specialist stain remover, working gently from the outside of the stain toward the centre to prevent spreading. Rinse well and wash normally. Do not apply hot water — it sets red wine permanently.

Oil and grease. Absorb as much as possible with a clean cloth or paper. Apply a small amount of washing-up liquid or a bio-based stain remover directly to the oil stain and work gently. Leave for ten minutes before rinsing thoroughly and washing normally.

Sweat stains on white linen. Mix white vinegar and cool water (1:2 ratio), apply to the stain, leave for thirty minutes, then wash normally at 30-40 degrees. For older sweat stains on white, a soak in cool water with a small amount of oxygen-based stain remover (not chlorine bleach, which weakens the flax fibre) overnight before washing can be effective.

Mistakes to avoid. Hot water on fresh stains sets them permanently into the flax fibre. Chlorine bleach weakens linen and causes yellowing. Aggressive scrubbing pushes stains deeper into the weave and can damage the fabric surface. Tumble drying before the stain is fully removed will heat-set it and make it significantly harder to remove in subsequent washes.

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