How cotton behaves
Cotton is absorbent and durable, which is why it dominates towels and bed linen. Its main quirks are shrinkage and creasing. Untreated cotton can shrink on its first warm or hot wash as the fibres relax, so a sheet bought to fit a German standard 90×200 cm mattress may feel tighter after the first cycle.
- White cotton towels and bed linen are commonly washed warm to remove body oils effectively.
- Coloured and printed cotton is safer at cooler temperatures to limit fading.
- Always defer to the wash-tub symbol on the care label rather than a fixed rule.
How linen differs
Linen is spun from flax and is stronger than cotton when dry. It breathes well, which makes it popular for summer bedding and tablecloths, but it creases sharply and can feel stiff when new. Linen softens noticeably after repeated washing and use.
Practical detail: Linen is far easier to iron while still slightly damp. If it dries completely, a light mist of water before ironing helps the creases release.
Ironing temperatures
The dots inside the iron symbol indicate the safe heat level. Cotton and linen tolerate the higher settings, while blends with synthetics need lower heat to avoid glazing or melting.
- One dot — low heat, suitable for synthetics and delicate blends.
- Two dots — medium heat, typical for wool and many mixed fabrics.
- Three dots — high heat, generally safe for pure cotton and linen.
Keeping colours and shape
Turning printed items inside out reduces surface abrasion on the print. Washing new, deeply dyed cotton separately for the first few cycles limits dye transfer. Reshaping fitted items while damp and drying them flat or on a line helps cotton and linen keep their form.
For the underlying care-symbol system, the publicly available overview at the Wikipedia entry on laundry symbols explains each icon. Delicate fibres are covered in the companion guide on wool and silk care, and seasonal storage is discussed in storing household textiles.