How to Soften Linen Clothes: 4 Easy Methods

I had a Wardrobe Oxygen reader reach out asking how to soften linen clothes she finds scratchy. She purchased a J. Crew linen sweater that I suggested in a summer capsule wardrobe and loves the sweater, but finds it rough and uncomfortable to wear. Her email:

“I purchased a J Crew linen sweater—open-weave knit—that you recommended in one of your capsule wardrobes.  I like the sweater, but the fibers are very rough-feeling and I can’t get the sweater to soften up.  I have not used fabric softener, washed only on cold delicate and no dryer, and I tried soaking it overnight in water with white vinegar to see if it had a detergent build-up.  But still rough-feeling.  Do you have any other suggestions for how to soften the fibers?”

I am a fan of linen, and at this point it's basically a wardrobe staple for a lot of us, especially in spring and summer. But I too have found some pieces, even from quality brands, to be rough and itchy right out of the bag. After years of wearing and washing linen, I've tested a lot of methods. Below I share what actually works, what doesn't, and what to do if your linen is still scratchy after multiple washes.

Why is Linen Rough and Scratchy?

Linen is a textile made from the flax plant. The fiber from flax is extremely durable, used for items like ropes and rugs because it can handle a lot of wear and tear. But if you have grabbed a flax rope or walked barefoot on a flax rug, you know it may be sturdy, but it surely isn't soft.

The same holds true for linen fabric. The texture depends on the quality of the yarns and the thread count of the weave. Unlike cotton, linen has a lower thread count, and the softness is determined by both the yarn quality and the manufacturing process.

Linen is often treated with additives during production, which can make the fabric feel rougher. The flax fiber is particularly sensitive to these additives. Blending linen with a softer textile like cotton or silk doesn't automatically fix this; it still depends on how the yarn and fabric were created.

The good news: linen is so durable that each wear, each wash, and each time you handle it, it softens a little more. It genuinely does get better with time and use. But if you just pulled out your linen pieces for spring and they're still scratchy from last year, or if you've bought something new that feels like burlap, these methods will speed up the process.

How to Soften Linen Clothes That Are Rough and Scratchy

These methods work for linen clothing, linen sheets, and linen bedding. None of them should affect the appearance or durability of your linen; they just help the flax fibers soften faster than time and wear alone would.

Option 1: Wash Your Linen (and Then Wash It Again)

Laundering is the most effective way to remove manufacturing additives and soften linen. The more you wash it, the softer it gets. Linen is durable, and unless it has very delicate construction or embellishments, it can handle your washing machine.

Here's the approach I recommend:

• For the first wash, use your gentle cycle and air dry. Linen can shrink, and you want to know how your garment behaves before committing to a regular cycle.
• For the second wash, try a standard wash cycle and air dry again. If the dryer didn't shrink or misshapen your linen on that first round, start using the dryer. The heat and tumbling action really do accelerate softening.
• Skip traditional fabric softener. It's an additive that can coat the fibers and actually prevent linen from softening naturally over time.
• Add wool dryer balls to your dryer load. They help soften the garments physically as they tumble, without any chemicals. If you don't have wool dryer balls (I personally own these), tennis balls work too, just know they are significantly louder.

Option 2: Does White Vinegar Soften Linen?

White vinegar softens linen by stripping detergent buildup and chemical residue, but it has limited direct softening effect on the flax fibers themselves. It's a laundry hack that works well as a reset, especially if you've been using fabric softener or dryer sheets on your linen.

White vinegar is the only type to use for laundry; it won't stain or alter color. Here are the methods:

• Add half a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle.
• Mix one cup white vinegar with one cup water and add in place of detergent.
• Replace laundry softener in your softener drawer with white vinegar.
• For a deeper treatment, fill the washing machine with water, add 1-2 cups of white vinegar, and let linen items soak overnight before running the cycle.
• For the most concentrated treatment, soak items in one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar, anywhere from ten minutes to overnight. The length of time won't damage the fabric or alter the dye.

I'll be honest with you: I tried soaking linen sheets overnight in a full washing machine with two cups of white vinegar, and the softening effect was minimal at best. Where white vinegar genuinely helps is when your linen has been washed with conventional softeners. It strips out those residues and lets the fibers start softening naturally. Think of it as a reset, not a one-and-done solution.

Option 3: How to Use Baking Soda to Soften Linen (My Favorite Method)

This is the method I have had the most personal success with. Baking soda has a pH of 9, which makes it an effective fabric softener for linen and other fabrics.

Add half a cup of baking soda to your usual wash cycle. No fabric softener needed; the baking soda handles it. You can do this for every linen wash, not just when you are trying to soften a rough garment.

For a more intensive treatment, add one cup of baking soda to a large bucket of water. Stir until fully dissolved, then submerge your linen pieces. Soak anywhere from half an hour to overnight. The length of time won't hurt the garment. After soaking, either let it air dry and wear as-is to check results, or run it through a normal wash cycle.

This is my go-to recommendation for new linen pieces that feel uncomfortably rough right out of the bag. A couple of baking soda washes combined with dryer time makes a noticeable difference.

Option 4: Does Ironing Soften Linen?

Yes, ironing linen can soften it, especially when you do it right. Ironing smooths the flax fibers, which reduces that scratchy, rough feel against your skin.

The most effective method: dampen the linen first, then use a pressing cloth and iron with steam. The combination of heat, pressure, and steam smooths and softens the fibers more effectively than dry ironing alone.

Ironing works well after you've done one or more of the washing methods above. It's a finishing step that also gets your linen looking crisp and wear-ready.

Bonus: as linen softens over time, whether from repeated washing or these methods, it creases and wrinkles less. That scratchiness and that tendency to crumple are both signs of newer, stiffer linen. Soft linen just wears better in every way.

Linen Is Worth the Effort

Linen is popular because it breathes beautifully in heat and humidity, gets better with every wash, and lasts for years if you take care of it. Once you get a piece soft, you'll wear it constantly. The methods above will get you there faster than time alone.

Linen is a seasonal staple that's having a sustained moment right now, and for good reason. Whether you're pulling pieces out of storage for spring or shopping linen for the first time, knowing how to care for it means you'll actually wear it, not just tolerate it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Softening Linen

This post was originally published in 2022 and has been updated multiple times, most recently in April 2026, because linen care questions keep coming in. For good reason: linen is having a moment, and it deserves to be worn comfortably.