Value Village ／ Clothing
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Linen shirts and dresses have become a summer staple in Japan's humid heat. They are cool and quick-drying, but people often complain: "It shrank in the wash", "The creases will not come out", "The colour faded in the sun". Once you know how flax fibre behaves, you make peace with the creases.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| The fibre | From the flax plant. Absorbs and releases moisture fast, and gets stronger when wet. Creases easily, but softens with every wash |
| "Asa" (麻) on the label | Under Japan's Household Goods Quality Labelling Act, only flax (linen) and ramie may be labelled "asa". Jute and hemp are labelled as "unlisted fibres" (指定外繊維) |
| Shrinkage | Around 2–5% in the first wash is normal. Hot water, a hard spin and a tumble dryer increase it |
| Water temperature | 30–40°C (86–104°F) or below (follow the label). Ordinary laundry detergent is fine; for dark colours a neutral detergent limits colour loss |
| Cycle | In a laundry net on a gentle cycle (hand-wash or delicates). Spin 30 seconds to 1 minute |
| Drying | Take it out as soon as the spin ends. While still wet, pat the creases out sharply with your hands, pull the seams straight, and hang on a thick hanger. Dark colours in the shade |
| Ironing | High heat (linen setting, 180–210°C), with the fabric dampened or misted with a spray bottle. Creases are hard to remove when dry |
| Tumble dryer | Causes shrinkage and creasing. Safest not to use it |
[Verify] The shrinkage rate and ironing temperatures are general figures used in the textile trade. Check the definition of "asa" (麻) in the labelling regulations against the Consumer Affairs Agency's documents.
Linen is a strong fibre well suited to washing in water. Accept a little shrinkage the first time; most pieces are fine to wash at home. Follow the label.
Linen creases are hard to remove dry; the rule is damp fabric and high heat. Even just smoothing it by hand straight after the spin makes a big difference.
A hard spin sets the creases in. Linen dries fast anyway, so a 30-second to 1-minute spin is enough.
Dark linen fades in sunlight. An airy, shaded spot, garment inside out, is the safe choice.
Under Japan's labelling rules only linen and ramie may be labelled "asa"; hemp and jute are labelled differently. Even within "asa", ramie is crisper and stiffer than linen.
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https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/guide/fiber/
https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/laundry_symbols/
https://www.asabo.jp/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Follow the care label and the maker's instructions for any garment, shoe or bag. For expensive or sentimental items, ask a specialist cleaner or repairer.
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