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What is all the fuss about linen sheets? What makes linen bedding more expensive? Is linen soft to sleep in? These are just a few of the questions that people ask when contemplating the purchase of linen sheets. Well look no further, this post will answer all your questions on the benefits of linen sheets and even give you some beautiful linen bedding options to shop from.
Are Linen Sheets Worth It?
Over the years, I have collected vintage linen bed sheets, linen kitchen towels, linen aprons, and linen tablecloths and have converted most of the bedding in my homes to European flax linen years ago! Linen is just a superior fabric and is so wonderful to have in your home. Plus, linen only gets softer the more it is washed and the fabric is extremely durable as well!!
If you have never had pure linen bedding before and you wonder what all the hype is about it, here is the low down! Take a peek below at the 5 top reasons to use linen sheets and then head over to read all about the linen apron too.
Linen VS Cotton Sheets
Although cotton and linen can sometimes be hard to tell apart, there are some major differences between the two! Cotton is a natural fabric made out of cotton plant fibres. Cotton comes in a wide range of weaves, it is the most versatile and popular fabric in the world.
Linen is an extremely strong but breathable fabric that is made from the flax plant. In fact, linen can be up to 30% stronger than cotton. Linen fabric does tend to be more expensive but has so many amazing qualities that make it worth the steep price tag.
Benefits of Linen Sheets
Linen Is Comfortable and Soft
Linen is a breathable fabric and extremely absorbent. The fabric is so lightweight and the comfort level is off the charts! It only gets better every time you wash it!
The best linen sheets are also temperature-regulating and highly absorbent. This is wonderful in the warmer weather for all of you who sweat in your sleep, as linen has moisture-wicking properties and won’t aid in that process. It will just help to absorb it!! In the cooler months, it will also insulate and help you stay warm.
Linen Sheets Have Easy Care
Contrary to popular belief, there are no special rules when it comes to caring for linen bedding and sheets. Linen can be washed in the washing machine, best done in cold water, and tumble dry or hung out on the line. Although most fabrics look worse when they wrinkle, high-quality linen shows well with wrinkles. If you don’t love this look, linen will smooth simply by spritzing the fabric with water or bedding spray.
Shop The Best Linen Laundry Products
Durability & Strength of Linen Sheets
You will always get your money’s worth out of linen as it is known as the world’s strongest natural fiber which makes it very a long-lasting fabric. Linen doesn’t lose its shape, in fact, it only gets softer over time. If cared for properly, you should be able to have your linen products last for years to come. These tips about caring for and washing linen will help your linens last a lifetime.
Linen Sheets Are Eco Friendly & Sustainable
Linen is a natural material that is a renewable resource made out of the fibers of the flax plant. The entirety of the plant is used in the process of making linen fabric so it doesn’t leave a footprint. Flax cultivation is also more sustainable than that cotton which makes it a smart choice of fabric from the get-go. It is also completely biodegradable, meaning you won’t be adding textile waste to the environment when you are finished with your bedding products!
If you do decide to discard old linen bedding, hang on to the salvageable material and use it for other things around the home. Cut the leftover linen into table runners, hand towels, Christmas stockings, etc. Even just hang a chunk of raw edge linen on a hook to add some texture to any space.
Tip* Instead of opting for an expensive linen duvet cover, why not try using a linen top sheet as a coverlet instead. This way, you can change up your linen bedding easily for every season!
Linen is Hypoallergenic
For all of you with skin sensitivity, linen sheets will be your new best friend!! Linen is a natural fiber of the flax plant, in which cellulose-based fibers are considered hypoallergenic. This means it is perfect for all of you allergy sufferers like me!
High-quality linen also features tight-weave structures, which help eliminate dust mite access. This makes it the perfect choice for individuals with sensitive skin as well.
Linen Sheets are Temperature Regulating
No matter the time of year or climate you live in, linen fabric will do its job to keep you comfortable and has temperature regulation! One of the amazing qualities of linen is the ability to wick moisture, thus keeping you dry and odour free. It is also a natural temperature regulator.
Depending on the weight of linen, it is both breathable but also has a high insulating value which makes it amazing to sleep in year round. In hot climates or in the summer, you stay cool and in the winter you stay warm and get a good night’s sleep.
Check out these amazing flax, linen pillow cases and linen sheet sets
Caring for Linen Sheets and Bedding
Linen is a very old and simple fabric, which means caring for it is also very simple to do! That said, there are still some techniques for washing linen that will help your linen sheets and your favorite linen apron last a lifetime!
How to Wash Linen Bedding
Linen items can be hand-washed or machine-washed, either of these methods works fine and won’t stretch or shrink your linens. If you do experience damage during wash, it may be related to the quality of the linen fabric or the chemicals in your detergents. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on washing your linen and follow these steps on how to wash linen for the best results.
Storing Linen
Linen should be stored in a cotton or muslin fabric when not used. For linen sheets and bedding, try putting your sets in a cotton pillowcase before placing them in the linen closet. This practice will ensure that your linen fabric stays fresh and doesn’t take on any unwanted smells or stains while being kept in storage.
How to Choose Linen Sheets
Choosing linen sheets can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. It is important to do the proper research when purchasing linen and not just grab the first set you come across. Cheaper linen with lower thread count will not be handmade and will never showcase the quality of higher-end linen. You may find that cheaper linen will have a looser weave, and be prone to tearing or inconsistent dying. Do your research and consider all factors including :
Linen Weight
The optimal GSM (grams per square meter) for linen sheets is 170 to 190, indicating a medium weight of about 0.3 to 0.4 pounds. At this weight, the sheets and pillowcases will drape comfortably without feeling too heavy or hot. If you don’t see the weight listed on the website of a linen sheet set you’d like to buy, reach out to customer service. Many manufacturers of linen bedding do not list a thread count at all.
The Price of Linen Sheets
A set of linen bedding sheets will include 2 pillows, a top sheet, and a fitted sheet. The average price of a high-quality set will be anywhere between $250 to $400 USD.
Feel & Fit of Linen Sheets
Some linens will feel crisp when first purchased however remember that linen does get softer as it is washed. Linen can also shrink during the first wash by up to 10%. You will also want to be sure to measure the “pocket depth” of your mattress prior to purchasing the fitted linen sheet. This refers to how far the elasticated corners will stretch and should accommodate the thickness of your mattress.
Colour & Pattern of Linen
Linen comes in so many patterns and different colors today that the choices are endless. You can even change things up from season to season depending on your style. For example, during the holidays, perhaps you go with darker-tone linen or a holiday color.
Shop Linen Bedding and Sheet Sets
Hopefully, you have found some helpful information on linen sheets and bedding. If you still have questions, please leave them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer them for you. As always, you can also find me over on Instagram. Now that you have done your research on linen sheets, head over and shop/learn about the linen apron!
Brooklinen Sheets
One of my favorite places to get linen bedding is Brooklinen! Full disclosure, I have partnered with them many times but that is because I am such a HUGE fan of the flax linen sheets that they produce.
Make sure you join my email list to be notified for discount codes to shop Brooklinen bedding.
Linen is derived from flax fibers from the stem of the flax plant. It is known to be up to three times stronger than cotton. Linen is a natural, renewable fabric and is largely known as one of the oldest textile fabrics uses in history.
The best practice is to wash your linen sheets once a week. I do suggest that you alternate between 2 or more sets of linen bedding to prolong the life of your sheet sets.
The texture of linen is completely dependent on the weight of your fabric. Lightweight linen fabric is between 30-150 gsm and is usually extremely soft. Medium-weight linen is 150-350 gsm, and heavyweight linen will measure gsm of 350+. High quality washed linen used for bedding is usually not scratchy at all and will only become softer the more that you wash it.
Linen is temperature-regulating, very comfortable and soft to sleep in, and it is also an extremely durable fabric making it an excellent choice to use for bed sheets. However, one major drawback is that the highest quality types of linen can be very costly and expensive to purchase.
With proper care and usage, linen sheets should last for approximately 3 to 5 years. However, depending on the weight of the linen, how often you rotate your bedding, what detergents you use to wash it, and if you hang it to dry, it could last much longer. In fact, there are many vintage french linens that are still in amazing shape after years and years of use.
Love these tips! Great info!
Thank you so much!
Which linen sheets do you recommend? Which are the softest?
This is who we recommend for bedding. Get the bio linen as it is a bit more durable. It isn’t as soft though but will last a lot longer
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BicoEstonia
Love your new blog! All of your hard work has paid off. ❤️ Can’t wait to get my ‘home decor style’, and to start looking for linen sheets. Love you and your home!
Thank you so much for the feedback Betty! I appreciate it.
xx
Have you seen targets brand Caseluna and if so, what do you think of them? Their quality? Thank you for this post!
Nichole 🙂
I have never seen that brand before so I am not totally sure. I would think that they would make sure the quality is decent though to avoid returns. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.