Pure Linen Fabric

A: Linen becomes softer and more absorbent after each wash, which is pretty neat. Wash linen on low temperatures in lukewarm or cold, and preferably soft, water. Use the gentle machine cycle and a mild detergent to protect the fibres. Again, read the individual manufacturer's care instructions to be sure.

A: Feel free to machine (tumble) dry your linen clothes or textile, as long as you stick to low temperatures. Remove from the dryer when still slightly damp to avoid the linen becoming stiff, and hang or lie flat to finish off the drying process.

A: No! Yay! There really is no need to iron linen garments, unless they have become really crushed. In fact, we love the inherent natural creases and crumples - they are what give linen its drapey, relaxed, soft feel. But if you love ironing, or have an item that really needs pressing, iron while the fabric is still damp. Use a medium-hot iron on the steam setting. White linen is better ironed on both sides, whilst dark linen should be pressed only on the reverse side.

A: Store your linens in a cool, dry place; avoid plastic bags, cardboard boxes and cedar chests. Linen has inbuilt insect-repellant properties so you should have nothing to fear from moths or other nibbly creatures. When you take linen out of storage, give it a good airing and wash if it needs a bit of a refresh.

A: The easy answer to this is, no. Linen that has been correctly manufactured and treated can be machine or hand washed. It can even be tumble dried on low temperatures. The only garments that are better being dry cleaned are more structured, tailored items such as linen jackets or suits, due to the way they are constructed. Always follow the care instructions on your item, and test any cleaning method on a small, hidden area before washing the whole thing.

A: Linen is just as easy to look after as cotton, but it is more durable and gets better with each wash, unlike cotton which can become threadbare as the fibres are weakened. Linen uses less resources in its production, so it is also a more eco-friendly, sustainable fabric.

A: Linen is a flax-based textile that is predominantly used for homeware applications. While linen is similar to cotton, it is made from fibers derived from the stems of the flax plant instead of the bolls that grow around cotton seeds. Garments made of linen are desirable in hot and humid climates.

A: Yes linen will shrink naturally after its first wash. The average is around 4% shrinkage for pure linen. To prevent changes to the shape and size of clothing and textiles, many companies sell pre washed linen fabric. Thanks to this initial wash, the fabric will only have minimal shrinking when it's next washed.

A: No. While both linen and cotton are natural fibers that come from plants, they are not the same. Cotton fibers come from the cotton plant while linen comes from the flax plant.One of the main reasons for the higher cost of linen fabric is difficulty to harvest. Growing flax plants is not easy at all and is mostly very time-consuming and laborious. From seed to harvest, the time for flax to be ready is about 90 days.

A: Belgian Linen
Belgian Linen is protected under international law, and widely known as the highest quality linen in the world. When your linen has the Belgian Linen logo, it guarantees: The linen has been grown, woven and made in Belgium using only the highest quality materials.

A: So if you want to find out which fabric is linen and which is cotton, wet your finger in clean water and then press it against the fabric. The fabric where the stain will absorb faster and penetrate the other way will be linen. Linen yarn has fewer fibers on the surface than cotton yarn.

A: Are expensive sheets worth buying? Yes, but only if they are expertly made. Making the best linen requires artisanry at every stage of its journey to your bed, from growing and procuring the fibre and spinning the yarn to weaving, cutting and sewing.

A: Our standard response is to always stick with the more snug rather than moving up to the too loose - because regardless of snug or loose - the linen will GROW. If you jump up a size you will end up being unhappy when the loose gets even looser.

A: Linen takes longer to harvest; it takes about 100 days from seed planting to harvesting which makes it more time-consuming and laborious. Extracting the flax fibre from the stalk of the plant involves a laborious 3 step process: retting, scutching, and hackling.

A: Genuine Linen: Has a crisp, textured feel. It's slightly rough and can feel cool to the touch. Fake Linen: Often feels smoother and may have a more synthetic feel, especially if it's blended with polyester or other materials. Genuine Linen: Displays natural irregularities and slubs (small knots or bumps) in the fabric.

A: Hotel's mainly use cotton bed sheets with a thread count of 300 to 600. This specific range of thread counts gives the distinctive signature soft feel of hotel sheets.Linen does shrink like most other fabrics made from natural fibers, such as cotton or hemp. Generally, depending on the fabric and its quality, the garment can shrink by 3 to 10%, which is considered normal. On average, the natural shrinkage of a linen garment is around 4%.

A: Linen Gets Softer Over Time Unlike cotton, linen gets softer and softer with every wash, as the pectin that binds the fibers gently breaks down. Water alone will achieve this--there's no need for fancy fabric softeners. In fact, softeners may coat linen strands in a residue that affects their porousness.

A: Linens may be washed either by machine or by hand, but it's important to keep in mind that the ideal washing temperature for linens is between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius (85 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit).Ever wondered, “What does linen feel like?” Well, linen has a texture that's quite different from other fabrics. It's not like the soft, pillowy feel of cotton. Instead, new linen feels natural and crisp. You might even find it a bit rough, especially when compared to more processed fabrics.

A: Silk has always been the epitome of luxury, and is mostly known for its subtle sheen and smooth texture. From high-end garments to accessories it is used since it adds a rich touch to any outfit, such as scarves and ties. However, if you are on a budget, you can opt for satin as it is a cost-effective alternative.

A: One good standard for linen quality is the tightness of the weave. Tighter weaves mean the texture is even and smooth, with fewer “pores” or gaps in between. Tighter weaves are almost always the defining mark of higher thread count linens, and therefore feel softer with less snag to the skin.