Are Linen Sheets Soft?
The high durability of Linen sheets has made them famous globally. However, many consumers who haven't tried Linen sheets or garments often have the question, Are Linen Sheets Soft? Today's blog post will answer that question so you can make an informed buying decision.
Are Linen Sheets Soft?
Yes, Linen sheets are soft. However, their softness differs from other types of sheets like silk since Linen sheets have a unique texture. Another advantage of Linen sheets is that they become softer with each wash, which means you're less likely to notice the texture of Linen after each subsequent wash.
Science Behind Linen's Softening Process
While many other synthetic fabrics are altered to attain the right texture, Linen receives its texture and softness from the Flax fibers from which it is made.
According to a report by Science Direct, Flax fiber is soft, lustrous, and flexible, but its elasticity is less than that of cotton. That's why, compared to cotton, Linen will feel a little stiff, but that changes with subsequent washes.
Flax fibers are soft because, during the extraction process, the outer bark of the fiber is removed. This process is known as decortication. The aim is to remove the entire outer layer to ensure the fiber used is completely soft.
Linen sheets and garments are usually made using the open weave technique. The advantage of this technique is that the fabric has many open spaces between every thread. In such a case, it's easy to notice the soft texture of the Linen fabric or sheets, making them more comfortable. The open weave structure also helps gradually soften Linen sheets (covered below).
Factors That Influence Linen Softness
Apart from the softness of the Flax fiber, numerous other factors impact Linen's softness. We will cover them below.
1. Quality
Pure Linen, like the one sold by us only consists of only high-quality Flax fibers. That's why the softness and texture you experience is only of flax fibers, making the sheets softer right from first use. It also gets progressively softer with each wash.
When you go with blended fabrics, you also experience the texture of the other fibers, which might or might not be soft. In such a case, the garment or the bed sheet might not be comfortable.
In a nutshell, if you want to enjoy the experience of soft Linen fabric, always go with the pure option.
2. Finish Type
Different Linen garments undergo different finish types. Some of the most common ones include stone washing, garment washing, and so on. While these enhance the look of Linen and sometimes soften it, they can modify other properties of Linen.
For example, in stone washing, natural or synthetic stones are used to break down the exterior walls of Flax fibers to soften them. However, this weakens the fibers.
On the other hand, garment washing involves washing the finished Linen pieces with mild enzymes or softeners, which softens them only to a certain extent, slightly impacting durability, but is often expensive.
Untreated Linen, on the other hand, preserves the raw and natural state of Linen. It maintains the unique texture of Linen as well. Even untreated Linen can soften over time with the right technique. That's why instead of opting for treated Linen, it's best to go with untreated Linen.
3. Thread Count
According to this report, Flax fibers are thicker near the root and taper towards the tip. This property impacts the softness of Linen. If the thread count is high, the thicker Linen fibers come in contact with your skin, which means the distinct texture will be more noticeable, reducing the softness.
Lower thread count, on the other hand, makes this texture less noticeable because there is more gap between fibers, and few fibers come into contact with your skin. Hence, the thread count also impacts the softness of Linen fabric.
How to Soften Linen Sheets Faster?
While the texture of Linen is liked by many, if you want to minimize it and soften it faster, try the methods we will cover below.
1. Washing Techniques
Linen ages like fine wine. As wine tastes better as it ages, Linen gets softer as it ages 
because, with each subsequent wash, the rigid walls of the Flax fibers break down, reducing the crisp texture of the fabric.
That's why, if you want to make Linen softer faster, you need to wash it more. However, that doesn't mean you simply wash it unnecessarily.
A better approach is to use Linen garments more frequently, which also means it will experience more washing cycles, which is likely to make them softer.
2. Right Drying Methods
Most drying methods, including tumble drying and drying in the sun, can harm and weaken linen. However, with the right drying method, you can dry and soften it.
The right method is air drying it indoors.
Simply spread it on a flat surface in a room with proper ventilation. If you want to dry it faster, turn the fan on. Proper airflow will help dry Linen faster without subjecting it to heat. This means you need not worry about stiffening the fibers or shrinking the Linen.
Also, since this is a gradual process, the fibers will relax and soften gradually, making the Linen softer. So, it's a win-win situation.
3. Using Milder Cleansers
Cleansers based on natural ingredients like oils aren't harsh on Flax fibers and don't make them brittle or coarse. Additionally, with each wash, the fiber walls break down, which reduces the crisp texture. Consequently, the Flax fibers become softer at a faster pace.
4. Using White Vinegar
White vinegar can break down any residue in the fabric. Once the residue breaks down, it's easy to rinse and remove from the fabric. White Vinegar’s acidic nature is why it can break down residue so well. However, instead of using it haphazardly, follow the procedure below:
Step 1: Add half a cup of white vinegar for an entire load of Linen garments or sheets.
Step 2: Always ensure mild detergent is used when using white vinegar.
Step 3: Use a gentle washing cycle.
If you are hand-washing Linen, add half a cup of white vinegar to a bucket full of water and soak Linen for 15 minutes before washing it.
This will help you make Linen softer faster.
Pro Tip:
White vinegar can also eliminate odor, which means you get fresh-smelling Linen garments after each wash.
5. Use Baking Soda
Simply dissolve one cup of baking soda in a bucket of water and hand wash the Linen sheets. This will help soften the Linen.
According to a report on the Nebraska government website, baking soda softens water. It does so by neutralizing calcium and magnesium ions present in hard water. This prevents sheets from hardening further due to residue buildup.
Additionally, baking soda's mild abrasive action loosens the fibers. Thus, baking soda helps soften sheets in 2 separate ways, making it extremely effective.
Comparing Linen Softness vs Other Fabrics
Let's now understand how the softness of Linen fares against other fabrics.
1. Linen vs. Cotton
Initially, Linen has a crisp, soft feel, but the texture is noticeable. Cotton is softer right from the start. However, this softness isn't guaranteed as it can lose softness if exposed to harsh detergents or washed frequently.
Linen, on the other hand, becomes softer with each wash. That's because the rigid outer walls of the Flax Fibers break down, and the fibers become more softer with each wash. Wash it enough and it will almost feel like a second skin. Considering that it is more durable than cotton and it usually doesn't lose its softness, Linen has a distinct advantage over cotton in terms of softness.
2. Linen vs. Hemp
Another popular fabric is hemp. However, it is less soft than Linen due to the coarser and stiffer fibers.
Faqs
Are Linen Sheets Soft Right Out of the Package?
High-quality pure Linen is soft right out of the box but has a distinct texture. However, it softens even more over time.
How Long Does It Take for Linen Sheets to Become Soft?
It takes at least 3 to 5 washes to soften Linen. In the first wash, the fiber walls don't break down significantly to change the texture of the fabric. That's why you should wait at least for 3 to 5 washes before judging the softness of Linen. Follow the procedures above, and you can soften Linen fabric even sooner.
Do Stonewashed Linen Sheets Feel Softer?
Yes, stonewashed Linen sheets do feel softer. However, garment-washed ones are better since they retain the durability and strength of the fibers. We sell such pre-washed Linen bedding, so if you want to buy softer sheets, check out our Linen Bedding Collection.
Is High Thread Count Important for Soft Linen Sheets?
A high thread count doesn't impact the softness of Linen sheets. On the contrary, a lower thread count makes the sheets more breathable and softer as the distinct texture of Linen is less noticeable.
Purchase High-quality Linen Today!
So, yes, pure Linen sheets are definitely soft. They do become softer over time. If you want to accelerate the softening of Linen sheets, you can use any of the methods we highlighted above.
If you don't want to worry about softening, simply go with our Pre-washed Linen Bedding Collection. Buying from our collections ensures you get pure Linen sheets that are ready to use and soft as well.
