How to Care for Your SCANDALINEN Bedding

By SCANDALINEN | Hanoi, Vietnam | Updated March 2026

Complete Care Guide · 5 min read

Natural fiber bedding does not need complicated care. It needs the right care — and the right care for linen is different from cotton, bamboo linen is different from pure linen, and hand-dyed hemp is different from both. This guide covers all three SCANDALINEN product lines so you know exactly what to do, and what not to do, with each one.

100% French Linen Bedding

French linen is the most forgiving natural fiber to care for. It has been stonewashed before it reaches you — which means the worst of the shrinkage and stiffness has already been dealt with. What's left is simple.

Washing

1. Machine wash cold to warm.

30–40°C is the sweet spot. Cold water is safest for color preservation. Warm water (40°C) is fine for regular washing and helps with general hygiene. Never hot — above 60°C, linen fibers begin to weaken and colors fade permanently.

2. Use a gentle cycle.

A standard gentle or delicate cycle is ideal. Linen does not need heavy agitation — in fact, aggressive tumbling is what causes pilling at seams and edges over time.

3. Mild detergent only.

No bleach, no optical brighteners, no fabric softener. Fabric softener coats the hollow linen fibers that make the fabric breathable — it makes the sheet feel temporarily softer but reduces the thermal performance that makes linen worth using. Linen softens on its own with every wash.

Drying

1. Line dry or tumble dry low.

Line drying in shade is the gentlest option and produces the least shrinkage. Tumble dry on low heat is fine — but remove while still slightly damp and smooth by hand, or the linen will set into deeper wrinkles that are harder to shake out.

2. Expect wrinkles.

Linen wrinkles. This is not a defect — it is what linen does, and it is part of the aesthetic. If you want a crisper look, iron while still damp on medium heat. If you don't mind the natural texture, shake well after drying and the wrinkles soften within minutes of being on the bed.

Shrinkage

Our French Linen has been stonewashed and pre-treated before production. After regular use and washing, expect an additional 2–3% shrinkage — minimal, and already factored into our cut dimensions. Wash in cold water and avoid high-heat drying to keep this at the lower end.

Bamboo Linen — 45% Linen / 55% Bamboo Rayon

The 45/55 Bamboo Linen behaves differently from pure linen in two ways worth knowing before the first wash: it has a natural sheen when new that softens after washing, and it shrinks more than linen — about 10% on the first wash. Both are expected and already accounted for in how we cut and size our products.

First Wash — What to Expect

New 45/55 Bamboo Linen arrives with a slight sheen from the bamboo rayon content. After the first wash, this sheen softens into a matte, relaxed texture — and the fabric will wrinkle and drape the way natural linen does. This is normal and intentional. The first wash is when the fabric becomes what it is meant to be.

Shrinkage on the first wash is approximately 10%. This sounds significant, but our dimensions are cut with this in mind: after the first wash and 10% shrinkage, products fit standard bed sizes correctly. Do not skip the first wash before putting covers on your duvet or pillows.

Ongoing Care

1. Wash cold, gentle cycle.

Cold water (30°C maximum) on a gentle cycle. The bamboo rayon content is more heat-sensitive than pure linen — warm water accelerates color fading and can cause uneven shrinkage after the first wash.

2. No fabric softener.

Same reason as French Linen — it coats the fibers and reduces breathability. The bamboo rayon content already provides softness naturally.

3. Low heat or line dry.

Remove from dryer while slightly damp. The bamboo rayon content means this fabric wrinkles more softly than pure linen — smooth by hand after drying and it relaxes quickly.

Bamboo Linen — 70% Bamboo Rayon / 30% Linen

The 70/30 Bamboo Linen is the lightest and softest fabric in the SCANDALINEN range. The higher bamboo rayon content means it behaves more like bamboo fabric than linen — soft and fluid from the first use, with a gentle drape that gets more relaxed with washing. It is also the most delicate of the three fabric types.

H'Mong Hemp Products — Ha Giang, Vietnam

H'Mong hemp products require the most care of anything in the SCANDALINEN range — not because they are fragile, but because the natural indigo dye and beeswax patterns used by H'Mong artisans in Ha Giang are made from plants, not chemicals. They behave differently from synthetic dyes, and they need to be treated accordingly.

Washing — Hand Wash Only

1. Use cold water only.

Never warm or hot water. Natural indigo is stable in cold water and begins releasing in warm water. Cold water washing keeps the color intact significantly longer.

2. Use shampoo, not laundry detergent.

This is not a gimmick — it is how H'Mong communities have washed their hemp cloth for generations. Hair shampoo (gentle, without sulfates if possible) is pH-balanced for natural protein and plant fibers and does not strip natural dyes the way laundry detergent does. A small amount is enough.

3. Gentle hand washing only.

Submerge and gently press the fabric through the water. Do not scrub, do not wring, do not twist. Aggressive agitation loosens the beeswax pattern and accelerates dye loss.

4. Rinse thoroughly in cold water.

Residual soap left in hemp fiber can affect the color and stiffen the fabric. Rinse until water runs clear.

Drying

1. Dry flat or hang in shade.

Direct sunlight fades natural indigo significantly faster than shade drying. Dry in a shaded, ventilated area whenever possible.

2. Do not wring.

Press excess water out gently by rolling the item in a clean towel. Do not twist.

What to Expect Over Time

Natural indigo dye will fade gradually with washing and light exposure. This is an inherent quality of plant-based dye — not a manufacturing defect. The color typically softens from a deep blue-black toward a lighter, more weathered blue, and the beeswax-resist patterns become more visible as the background fades. Many customers prefer the aged version. It cannot be prevented entirely, only slowed by cold water washing and shade drying.

Hemp fiber itself is extremely durable — significantly stronger than linen. The fabric, properly cared for, will outlast the color by many years.

Quick Reference

At a glance — all four product types:

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: March 2026