What’s so special about linen?

Let’s try an unexpected question: what’s the most controversial fabric out there? If we could have our say, linen would certainly jump to the top of the list.

Just think about it. 

It’s often called “humble” material ‒ but it’s also praised for its luxurious appeal. It’s known for its notorious wrinkling ‒ but its rumpled look gives it even more charm (other fabrics should be jealous). Linen is associated with the latest trends ‒ but in fact, it’s been around for centuries. Romans used it for their togas, and pharaohs wore it for their tunics.

Are you ready to dig deeper and get to know this fabric a bit better?

9 LINEN FACTS THAT MAY ACTUALLY SURPRISE YOU

❤️ Linen is highly absorbent. 

Do you know the feeling when the alarm clock goes off in the morning, and you wake up on messy, clammy bedsheets? Not a huge pleasure, is it?

Linen lets you forget all about this sweaty experience. The weave of linen fiber is built in a way that allows easy airflow. Its unique molecular structure makes sure that the moisture is quickly wicked away from your skin.

Linen’s absorption qualities are outstanding: it can soak up as much as 1/5 of its weight in moisture. If you’ve ever tried sleeping on linen sheets, you know linen has a rather firm, stiff feel to it, and it doesn’t cling to your skin.

To put it simply: if you’re prone to perspiration at night, water is absorbed by the linen material. Then it quickly evaporates from the sheets. The sheets immediately dry out and become cool again. 

There’s no damp feeling whatsoever ‒ even if you spend your night tossing and turning, you’ll wake up feeling pleasantly fresh.

 

❤️ Linen has incredible temperature-regulating properties.

One of the most beaming qualities of linen is thermoregulation ‒ which is a fancier way of saying that it’s great at temperature control. Whether it’s a hot summer night or a breezy winter morning ‒ linen’s got you covered. 

Why? Linen fabric effectively regulates the exchange of heat between your skin and air. In fact, no other fabric can match up to its breathability performance.

Essentially, when it’s cold, the linen fibers contract to reduce the inter-fiber space (the area between the fibers). That’s how air gets trapped inside. Your body can warm it up ‒ and while you sleep, you’re beautifully insulated. 

When it’s hot, the opposite happens ‒ the inter-fiber space expands. Warm air gets a chance to escape easily ‒ and you don’t overheat.

Temperature change is one of the biggest external factors that affect the quality of your sleep. That’s why thermoregulating linen blankets and sheets are so popular ‒ both in the summertime and in the depths of winter.

❤️ Linen is oh-so-strong.

Have you heard that linen is more durable than cotton? Substantially more, in fact. Linen fibers are known to be thick and strong ‒ they can withstand demanding conditions with no hassle.

People often say that linen items serve years, even decades. And it’s not an exaggeration. That’s why the term “invest” in linen is so popular ‒ it really is an investment. 

Yes, you may pay a higher price upfront. But if you take good care of the fabric (and let’s be honest, it doesn’t require much effort), your items can truly last season after season.

❤️ Linen gets softer with each wash.

An extra detail that’s small but important: when you hear that linen pieces last for years, it doesn’t mean “just last.” It means “last in great condition.”

One of the most impressive qualities of linen is that it gets softer with use. It’s not the case with many other fabrics: each time you wash items, you expose them to friction, speeding up their wear and tear. 

With linen, it’s the opposite. For a moment, imagine treating yourself to a nice relaxing bath. Just like you, linen appreciates a good wash. It gets softer, smoother, and shinier with each washing session. It happens as the sticky pectin binding the fibers gently gradually breaks down.

By the way, even though you may like using fabric softeners, they’re not necessary. This delightful softening effect can be achieved by water alone.

❤️ When it comes to linen, no ironing is required.

There’s a saying that there are two clues on how to recognize real, holiday-like luxury. First, it’s a smooth, joyfully radiant face. Second, it’s wrinkled clothes. 

Linen is one of the few fabrics on which creases are actually welcome. Each wrinkle is a part of its natural appeal ‒ and it complements the textured look of the fabric. You won’t get the chic, smooth lines ‒ but you’ll have uniquely textured edges and the vibe of classy, effortless ease that so many people are longing for. 

If you just purchased a linen item, put away the iron and embrace the creases. The result will be a relaxed, lived-in look that looks beautiful without any huge effort on your part.

❤️ Linen is hypoallergenic. 

For people with allergies or skin sensitivities, the fabrics that stay close to the skin must be extremely gentle. Linen is precisely that. It’s a hypoallergenic material and creates a lovely, healthy microclimate for the skin. 

Why? Linen is usually not exposed to any harsh chemicals or pesticides (so it’s often called a “clean” textile). It’s treated with great care in the production process ‒ so that later it can offer the gentlest, most subtle treatment to your skin.

❤️ Linen is static-free.

This fact will definitely make your hair happy: linen is one of the few fabrics that don’t accumulate static electricity. Linen is often mixed with other textiles ‒ if the blend contains at least 10% linen, it’s enough to remove the electric charge that messes up your hair.

Linen sheets are also far more resistant to pilling. It means you won’t experience the frustration of “little bubbles” forming on the surface of your sheets.

❤️ Linen keeps bugs and dust mites away.

We love linen, but the tiny bugs ‒ not so much. Linen is resistant to bacteria, fungus, dust mites and is famous for being a great insect repellent. 

❤️ Linen is a wonderful environmental choice. 

Linen is a natural fiber made from the flax plant. Virtually all parts of the flax plant are used in the harvesting process. There’s no footprint left. Made from 100% natural fibers, your linen items are totally biodegradable. 

In addition, linen doesn’t require any pesticides or any extra water other than rainwater.

However, the cultivation of these crops is still considered expensive. Flax is difficult to spin, and the production process contains multiple labor-intensive steps. 

It’s true that environmentally conscious choices sometimes come with a price tag. But they also come with great peace of mind.

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A TOUCH OF SIMPLE LUXURY?

They say you can acknowledge true luxury from its multiple layers. It’s multidimensional. It has a strong attitude and a solid character ‒ and yet it’s effortless at the same time.

Real luxury fabrics are often delicate, subtle, and don’t need flashy over-the-top effects to get noticed. There’s no need to scream and shout.

The purest relaxation comes when there’s actually nothing to prove.