Old linen is the most forgiving antique you can own — it survived a century of boil washes before you arrived — but it has earned a gentler retirement.
The gentle regimen
Cool water, the mildest soap you can find, and no wringing: press the water out between towels. Dry it flat in the shade, never on a line in full sun, and store it rolled rather than folded so the creases don’t become cuts.
And use it. Linen wants laundering, not a drawer. The sheets earn their keep on the bed, and honestly, nothing modern sleeps better.