Linen fabric - it's soft, durable and only gets better with age. Linen has been used and loved for thousands of years, and we predict it will continue to be a favourite fabric for a very long time. If you're curious about the benefits of linen or wondering what it is and how it's made, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to learn about all things linen, or simply skip ahead to the info you're most interested in.

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What is Linen?
What are the Benefits of Linen?
Benefits of Linen Sheets & Bedding
Linen in Other Rooms
How to Care for Linen

What is Linen?

Linen is a strong, lightweight and environmentally friendly fabric that comes from flax plants – which means it is technically a vegetable. To create the fabric we know as linen, the fibres are extracted from the flax plant, harvested and stored for a long period. The fibres are then spun and woven to create a soft, beautiful and sustainable fabric. Flax plants have been used worldwide to create fibre for over 6000 years.

What are the Benefits of Linen?

Linen is a strong, durable and absorbent fabric that is also soft and comfortable. It is 2 – 3 times stronger than cotton while still being incredibly lightweight. Linen is naturally porous, giving it a moisture-wicking ability and allowing it to dry faster than cotton. Linen is also antibacterial – since the fibres are woven so closely together, bacteria and germs have a hard time surviving in the material. It conducts heat well, keeping you toasty in the winter and cool in the summer. Because each part of the flax plant is used to produce linen, it's a relatively low-waste material and very environmentally friendly.

Tip: Know the differences between linen and cotton with our in-depth guide to both household materials.

Benefits of Linen Sheets & Bedding

In addition to the benefits of linen detailed above, there are even more linen sheet benefits you can enjoy while resting up. Linen can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet. Its moisture-wicking ability will keep you feeling fresh and cool even in the hottest summer months. Linen is also antistatic, making these sheets a great choice for homes in dry climates. Perhaps one of our top benefits is linen's very distinct softness. It's a luxury to crawl into linen bedding and unwind after a busy day.

Linen ages like a fine wine – it just keeps getting better. Every time you wash linen sheets, they'll get a bit softer and more supple, allowing you to enjoy them for years. In fact, linen is known for lasting for decades. While linen sheets may seem like a splurge up-front, they'll easily outlast cotton and microfibre sheets.

Linen in Other Rooms

While taking a nap in a pile of linen bedding is an underrated luxury, there are plenty of ways to use linen in other rooms in the house. See a few of our preferred ways to use linen in any room.

Linen in Dining Rooms

Adding a linen tablecloth, runner or napkins to your dining setup is a low-lift way to elevate a meal while staying unfussy. Even wrapping up fresh bread in a linen cloth can make an ordinary dinner feel special.

Linen in Kitchens

Because linen is so durable and easy to clean, it's a great choice for upholstery. Linen dining chairs and bar stools can turn any moment into a treat: from an afternoon snack with the kids to a glass of wine with your partner.

Linen in Living Rooms

Linen sofas and accent chairs are great for living rooms in busy homes, because the fabric repels dirt. You can curl up on the sofa with your pup and not worry about dirty paws or shedding. If you already have living room furniture you love, simply swap out the cushions for linen throws. You'll get a lovely little dose of luxury without having to sacrifice what you already enjoy.

How to Care for Linen

You can effectively care for linen right from home without having to bring anything to the dry cleaner.

Linen Sheets & Loose Items

You're probably wondering if linen can be washed? The short answer is - absolutely. Simply throw any linen items into the washing machine, set the water to cool (30 degrees) and put them on a gentle cycle. To dry linen after the wash, just pop your linen items into the tumble-drier and keep on a low heat. Remember that linen can and will wrinkle easily, so if you have linen tablecloths or napkins you want to iron, set the iron on a high heat setting and use a touch of spray starch. Your linen will be smooth, crisp and clean in no time.

Tip: During its first wash, linen can shrink by about 3 - 10% depending on the fabric. You can minimise shrinking by pre-washing the linen in cold water. But remember to always check the care label in case of dry clean only.

Linen Upholstery

Cleaning linen upholstery is as simple as running a vacuum cleaner over it to pick up any loose dirt, crumbs or pet hair. To clean a unwanted splotch, gently dab the linen fabric with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Try not to rub or scrub splotches as this ultimately can work the stain further into the fabric. If plain water doesn't work, you can use a mild detergent and a soft cloth to dab at the stain. If the stains are more serious, we recommend consulting a professional.