Unfunded Liabilities: a/k/a The Cloth Thread

[P-K-L]



There was a spot of dirt on my linen pants so I spot cleaned with soap and a rag. Now the fabric feels coarse and is discolored. Will a hand wash fix it or does it need to be dry cleaned? I'm asking here because I don't know much about linen and don't know if the fabric is permanently ruined, worn down, or just stained.

letting us know what exactly caused the stain would help us to help you! thanks!

 

[NeedForTweed123]



letting us know what exactly caused the stain would help us to help you! thanks!

I'm not sure, I bought the pants used and the stain wasn't there when I got them. I didn't even wear them but there was a brown spot that looked like dirt before I attempted to clean it.

 

[P-K-L]



I'm not sure, I bought the pants used and the stain wasn't there when I got them. I didn't even wear them but there was a brown spot that looked like dirt before I attempted to clean it.

I'd start looking for a new used pair of linen trousers...

 

[NeedForTweed123]



I'd start looking for a new used pair of linen trousers...

So then are they ruined?

 

[hirschlederne]



So then are they ruined?

Learn to live with the fading

 

[NeedForTweed123]



Learn to live with the fading

But I don't think it's fading. The fabric feels coarse in that spot.

 

[emptym]

I'd go ahead and wash them and hope they fade throughout. Linen looks good faded and worn.

 

[tchoy]

^^

+1 on washing them but make sure you use cold water, linen will shrink.

 

[NeedForTweed123]



I'd go ahead and wash them and hope they fade throughout. Linen looks good faded and worn.

Would that damage them? The tag says dry clean only.

 

[honpan]



^^

+1 on washing them but make sure you use cold water, linen will shrink.

If I were to wash linen garment, should I want by hand or machine with short cycle?

 

[kolecho]

I use Irish linen pants a lot. Before having them made up, I wash and tumble dry myself to remove all shrinkage. After they are made up, I simply throw them into the wash with other cottons, hang dry and press. Fading is part of the deal with linen and cotton. Looks good IMHO.

 

[emptym]



Would that damage them? The tag says dry clean only.

I don't know about those particular pants, but I've washed lots of things that say "dry clean only." You could try dry cleaning them, but there's a good chance the fade will remain in that spot. At that point you could try to wash them to try to make the fade uniformly. Tchoy is right that if you do wash them, use cold water and hang dry. Either way, if the irregular fading remains you could try redying them or using a dye remover to turn them a natural color. Actually it's best to use the dye remover before redying them. After using the remover, just make sure you wash them again a couple times. The color can change drastically after a wash or two. You'd have to decide if they're worth all that trouble. Could be a fun and interesting experiment though.

If I were to wash linen garment, should I want by hand or machine with short cycle?

Either way's probably fine.

I use Irish linen pants a lot. Before having them made up, I wash and tumble dry myself to remove all shrinkage. After they are made up, I simply throw them into the wash with other cottons, hang dry and press. Fading is part of the deal with linen and cotton. Looks good IMHO.

I usually do too. I've even done this for some deconstructed sport coats Luxire's made for me. But I have a pair of linen pants from Ambrosi that I just may dry clean. He didn't preshring the fabric. T4phage has washed his, but I'm scared.

 

[ThinkDerm]



Gents. I'm trying to find these fabrics, or something like them. Any leads? Ed says the top one is Loro Piana...





TIA

great buttonhole... maker?

 

[Odd I/O]



I don't know about those particular pants, but I've washed lots of things that say "dry clean only." You could try dry cleaning them, but there's a good chance the fade will remain in that spot. At that point you could try to wash them to try to make the fade uniformly. Tchoy is right that if you do wash them, use cold water and hang dry. Either way, if the irregular fading remains you could try redying them or using a dye remover to turn them a natural color. Actually it's best to use the dye remover before redying them. After using the remover, just make sure you wash them again a couple times. The color can change drastically after a wash or two. You'd have to decide if they're worth all that trouble. Could be a fun and interesting experiment though.
Either way's probably fine.
I usually do too. I've even done this for some deconstructed sport coats Luxire's made for me. But I have a pair of linen pants from Ambrosi that I just may dry clean. He didn't preshring the fabric. T4phage has washed his, but I'm scared.

Were these wool jackets?

Also, can you hand/machine wash a canvassed linen jacket?

 

[koolhistorian]



Were these wool jackets?

Also, can you hand/machine wash a canvassed linen jacket?

Nope! You will ruin it!