5 properties of linen – What makes linen so special!

There is something incredibly unique about linen – if you pick books of history, you might get to see that the uses of linen fabric are many and have been around for centuries. As a matter of fact, at one point of time, linen was the fabric of the royals! Today, linen is making its resurgence and it is returning to the fray with a bang!

But what is linen so special?

The top 5 reasons why linen is better:

Although there are several reasons why linen is better than a whole range of other fabrics, including cotton. Yes, you read it right – if there were a battle of cotton vs linen, linen would win hands down! 

Here are 5 properties of linen that make it unique and so much better than all other fabrics:

• It is antibacterial and hypoallergenic

Did you know that it is the bacteria present in our body odour that makes it smell bad? Since almost all flax linen is known to prevent the development of bacteria in some way or the other, it is actually a good choice of fabric for those who tend to sweat a lot. The antibacterial properties of linen fabric ensure that there is a certain resistance to the growth of bacteria and even some types of fungi. 

Moreover, linen is also hypoallergenic – whether you have respiratory problems such as asthma or have extremely sensitive skin, linen is suitable for you. 

• It has thermoregulating properties

During the summers or when it is extremely hot, you will sweat – that is nature and biology at play, right? When the dampness of the sweat is lifted away from your body, it creates a sensation of coolness. This is what linen does, because linen has the natural capacity to dry up really fast and when it dries up your sweat super-fast too, it leaves you feeling cool and comfortable. 

But what if it is cold outside? Then too, linen is good for you because it can capture the airflow and hold on to the warmth, providing your body with just a little bit of extra comfort, even when the winters are arriving. This is why, at Linen Trail, we call linen an all-weather fabric! 

• It is durable and machine washable 

One of the best properties of linen fibre has to be the fact that it is not only one of the strongest fibers around, but also the most durable. Egyptian mummies would be wrapped in linen, because they knew how strong this fabric is! There was a time when linen would actually be handed down from one generation to another, because really good quality linen can last that long, especially when taken proper care of.

Most fabrics tend to get weaker with washes, linen actually becomes stronger. As a matter of fact, linen is woven in an environment that is kept moist on purpose, because that helps improve the elastic strength of the yarn. These are all reasons why linen is considered so durable and long lasting. 

And the best thing about it? You can throw it in the washing machine with all your other clothes! You might want to use a gentle cycle and mild cleaning agent, as well as remember to separate the lights and darks, but linen does not have to be hand washed. If you want to learn more about how to take care of your linen clothes, you can read more here!

• It leaves almost no fluff or lint

Did you know that at one point in time, linen was used as medical bandages? Not only was this done because of its antibacterial and hypoallergenic nature, but also because it leaves no fluff or lint behind. This meant that the wounds would remain clean, but there would still be circulation of air to aid with the healing process. 

Today, the same properties of linen fiber are making it a popular choice for clothing, because there is no worry of the lint showing on dark clothes. Same goes for fluff – linen is completely fluff free, which is why it is constantly used for making face masks too! 

• It is sustainable 

Without a doubt, linen happens to be one of the most sustainable fabrics in the world. How, you ask? Here is how:

• Flax is a drought resistant crop, which means that it needs a minimal amount of water, unlike cotton which is known to be a ‘thirsty crop’. 
• It is also a very strong fabric and the fibres get stronger and softer with every wash, which means that you will get to wear the linen clothes for a really long time. This also means that you will not have to throw away clothes or contribute to the landfills. 
• It is completely biodegradable, which means that when you do finally get bored of your linen clothes and decide to discard them, they will not clog the planet. 
• Linen comes from flax, which is a natural bug repellent, which means that there is minimal dependency on chemical-based fertilisers or pesticides for the cultivation. This also means that these chemicals are not leaching into the soil or the water table. 

At Linen Trail, we are aware of all that linen has to offer and now we invite you to pick something from our store today and experience the true luxury that pure linen offers.