Yes. We recommend washing your Alba linen before use. This activates the natural fibres, removes any residual softness from the stonewashing process, and prepares the linen for its first night. It will only get better from here.

Machine wash cool on a gentle cycle. Linen is a resilient natural fibre - it doesn't need to be handled delicately, just consistently. Wash with like colours and avoid overcrowding the machine.

Cool to warm - no higher than 40°C. High temperatures can cause shrinkage and weaken the natural fibre over time.

Yes, however line drying is preferred. Remove promptly to minimise creasing and allow to finish air drying flat or on a line. If tumble drying is necessary, use a low heat setting and remove while still slightly damp.

All Alba linen is preshrunk before it reaches you. Some minimal movement after the first wash is natural - this is normal behaviour for any natural fibre and will stabilise after the first couple of washes.

Yes. All Alba French flax linen is Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified. This means every component of every product - fabric, thread, buttons - has been independently tested and verified to be free from harmful substances. It is one of the world's most trusted textile certifications.

French flax linen is one of the most durable natural fibres in the world. With proper care it will outlast most other textiles in your home. It softens with every wash, deepens with use, and improves in a way that synthetic fibres simply cannot. Buy it once. Keep it for years.

Store folded in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing in plastic, linen is a natural fibre that needs to breathe. A linen or cotton storage bag is ideal.