What Linen Is Made Of?

As the world moves towards sustainable choices, Linen is becoming popular with each passing year. While many consumers buy Linen fabric in one form or another, most of them know little about this fabric.

Today's post will highlight what Linen is made of and cover its finer details to help you understand why it's such a good choice.

What Linen is made of?

Simply put, Linen is made from the fibers of the Flax plant. Of Course, the fibers go through a long process before they are woven into the fabric, but that's what Linen is made of.

Linen's popularity is due to its breathable properties and the ease of growing the flax plant. 

These are also the reasons why Linen has been in use for thousands of years.

Before we explore the characteristics of Linen, it's time to take a look at its history.

History of Linen

According to Wikipedia, Linen is one of the oldest fabrics in the world. Evidence of dyed flax fibers dating back 30,000 years was found in Georgia. Similarly, Linen is mentioned in the Bible. Traces of it have also been found in Mesopotamia and ancient Egyptian civilizations.

European countries and American colonies also used it extensively in the 18th century.

You might be wondering since we have mentioned its use in different parts of the world where it is actually produced.

We will cover that below.

Where is Linen produced?

According to a post by the Queensland University of Technology, the flax plant from which Linen is made is traditionally grown in Europe. Some of the countries that cultivate Flax plants in an organized manner include France, Belgium, Russia, Canada, and the UK.

Europe is also known for producing pure, high-quality Linen. Hence, we source all our Linen from this region. 

Linen has a rich history, and for good reason. Once you learn its characteristics, it's easy to understand why humans have used it for ages.

Characteristics of Linen Fiber

The characteristics that help it stand out include:

Linen is breathable

According to a research report, the breathability of Linen fabric is much better than that of cotton. The reason for breathability are the long, hollow fibers of the Flax plant. Such a fiber structure creates a gap between the fibers, which allows the air to circulate.

Even after weaving, the density of end products made from Linen fabric is much lesser than that of other fabrics like cotton. Lightweight Linen varies from 90 to 130 gsm, while heavyweight Linen varies from 200 to 300 gsm. On the flip side, even summer t-shirts made from cotton have a density of 120 to 160 gsm, whereas something like a sweatshirt has a density of 300 to 400 gsm.

That means comparable Linen products have less lower density, which facilitates better air circulation.

Linen is durable

A research report stated that the tensile strength of Linen fabric is 264 to 2000 MPa. Alternatively, the tensile strength of cotton is approximately 49 MPa. That means the tensile strength of Linen is multiple times that of cotton.

That's the reason pure Linen can last for decades together.

Linen absorbs moisture

Let's be fair: Numerous fabrics can absorb moisture. The problem is that after absorbing moisture, they feel damp, which means the fabric isn't necessarily comfortable.

This is where Linen differs from other fabrics.

Linen absorbs upto 20% of its weight in water. Since there is a lot of space between the threads, it doesn't feel damp even after absorbing that much moisture. There is another reason it doesn't feel damp.

Due to the excellent air circulation between the fibers, it dries quickly and does not retain moisture for long.

All these factors make Linen fabric much more comfortable than other alternatives despite absorbing moisture.

Linen has an elegant appearance

Yes, Linen has a texture, but the crisp texture doesn't cause discomfort. It just makes the fabric more noticeable. Apart from that, Linen softens with each subsequent wash, which means it won't be noticeable a few weeks down the line.

Besides the texture, Linen's wrinkles provide it with a unique look that makes it aesthetically pleasing. The wrinkles impart a draped appearance, which once again helps it stand out.

Thus, it not only feels good but also looks good.

Linen is hypoallergenic

According to a report by Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Linen is hypoallergenic. Even individuals who are allergic to Flax seeds(seed of the plant from which Linen is made) don't suffer from any allergic reaction when sleeping or touching Linen sheets.

The hypoallergenic design ensures it is suitable for everyone.

Linen is sustainable

According to a post published by Vrindawan University, growing flax plants from which Linen is derived requires less water and pesticides. According to another report by the non-profit organization Water Footprint Network, producing 1kg of cotton fabric requires 10,000 liters of water. Multiple reports and industry bodies state that the Flax plant's water footprint is a fraction of what cotton requires.

Apart from that, good quality pure Linen, like the one we sell, can last for more than a decade, which means you need not worry about replacing the Linen bedding any time soon. That further reduces Linen's carbon footprint.

In a nutshell, Linen is much more sustainable than cotton and other fabrics.

Linen vs. Other Fibers

It's now time to understand how Linen fares against other fabrics.

1. Cotton

Linen scores over cotton in many different aspects. For example, Linen is more durable than cotton. While some might think cotton is softer, Linen has a unique texture that doesn't cause any discomfort. Linen also has better breathability and water absorption than cotton.

The only factor where Cotton scores, is wider availability. However, that is also reversing. 

For example, through our website, you can buy Pure Linen Bedding and have it delivered to your doorstep.

Point being, cotton doesn't have a distinct advantage over Linen in any aspect. So, Linen is the winner here.

2. Hemp

Linen and Hemp have many similarities. For example, both Hemp and Linen are breathable. Both of them last for years, perhaps decades. They become softer with each wash. Additionally, they have hypoallergenic properties.

So, do they differ in any way?

Linen scores higher in elasticity than Hemp because Hemp has the least elasticity among all natural fibers. Additionally, Linen is more widely available.

Thus, Linen does have an edge over Hemp as well.

3. Viscose

Again, Viscose and Linen have similarities. Both are durable and long-lasting. They are also anti-bacterial, which makes them safer than many other fabrics. Since they are breathable, they are comfortable. 

But there are differences if you look deeper.

For example, both of them absorb moisture, but Linen is quick to dry, which means it's comfortable to use in any weather.

Viscose is also derived from natural sources, but since it goes through a lot of chemical processing, it has a larger carbon footprint.

Thus, Linen has the upper hand over Viscose as well.

Types of Linen

It's now time to understand the different types of Linen you can choose from.

1. Damask Linen

Damask Linen offers intricate patterns and a textured appearance. The most common items made using this type of Linen include napkins, tablecloths, and decor items.

2. Plain Woven Linen

Plain Woven Linen uses a simple weaving technique between horizontal and vertical threads to create a consistent pattern. Such Linen is used to make bedding sets, upholstery, and apparel.

3. Loosely Woven Linen

This type of Linen is more breathable. It's usually lighter because of the less dense structure. Usually, summer clothing and home decor items are made from this type of Linen.

4. Sheeting Linen

Sheeting Linen is a type of Linen that's specially designed for bedding. Even many items in our Linen Bedding Collection are made from such Linen. Usually this Linen type has a comparatively smoother surface as compared to other types.

Maintenance of Linen

Maintenance of Linen isn't that difficult. Follow the tips , and it will be easy to maintain Linen.

• Always use mild soap and cold or, at the most, lukewarm water to wash it.
• As far as possible, handwash it or opt for gentle cleansing cycles.
• Dry it naturally to avoid fiber agitation.
• Try to minimize the washing and drying cycle by buying multiple sets.
• Avoid exposing Linen to harsh sunlight for longer periods.

FAQs on Linen

Is Linen good for the skin?

Linen is hypoallergenic, which means the probability of it being infested by allergens is drastically reduced, which makes it perfect for the skin. Apart from that, the breathability and the ability to dry quickly further make it a good option for people with sensitive skin. 

Additionally, the Flax plant from which it is made is anti-bacterial, making it better for the skin.

Is Linen anti-bacterial?

Yes, Linen is resistant to bacteria. That's because of the Flax fibers from which Linen is made. A research paper recently concluded that numerous Polish Flax plant varieties exhibited the strongest anti-bacterial activity as compared to numerous other fibers.

Can Linen heal you?

Linen has indirect healing properties: it's antibacterial, hypoallergenic, hygroscopic, and breathable. These properties are why medical dressings and bandages are made from Linen. In a nutshell, Linen helps protect the skin so that the body's healing process isn’t interrupted.

Is sleeping on Linen healthy?

Yes, sleeping on Linen is healthy. The breathability of Linen sheets aids your body's thermoregulation, keeping it at a lower temperature, which helps you sleep better. Linen's near-neutral pH level is also good for your skin. Add to that the hypoallergenic nature of Linen and it becomes better than many other fabrics.

Purchase Pure Linen Today!

Once you go through this guide, you will know what Linen is made of. Not only that, based on this guide you can buy the best type of Linen and maintain it well.

Want to buy the best Pure Linen? Check out our Linen Bedding Collection.