What Makes Linen So Versatile and Durable?
Linen is one of the oldest fabrics. It has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used it, and so did the Romans and the Celts. There’s a reason for its popularity through the ages – it is both versatile and durable. Warm in winter, cool in summer, it is suitable for bed linens and clothes as well as other household uses. For people who have trouble falling asleep, organic linen sheets can create a luxurious, comfortable surface.
Flax is one of the oldest fibers used by humans
Linen is made from the flax plant, and is one of the oldest fibers known and used by humans. Archeologists have found evidence of its use 9,000 years ago in the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The ancient Egyptians used it as far back as 2000 B.C., and called it ?Woven Wind” because it was light and comfortable to wear in the hot climate.
The flax plant is also known as linseed. It takes about takes 100 days to grow from a seed to the 4 foot plant that can be harvested. The flowers are blue, and the seeds of the flax plant are also used to make linseed oil. Linen fabrics are made from the fibrous material found inside the stems. This is pale yellow in color and has given rise to the word to describe that color of hair.
Linen is comfortable to wear
Flax is not only one of the oldest fibers known, it is also one of the strongest. Flax is a very strong fiber, especially when compared to cotton. This is the reason why linen is so durable. Its tensile strength is twice that of cotton and three times as high as wool. Besides durability, linen also has the advantage of being comfortable in any kind of weather. It keeps the wearer warm in winter and cool in the summer.
Linen can remain dry while absorbing up to 20% of its own weight in moisture. This why it always feels fresh and dry, making it suitable for hot weather. It also protects against solar radiation by blocking almost 50% of gamma rays. Adding to the comfort factor is the fact that unlike other fabrics, linen does not accumulate static electricity. In fact adding linen to other fabrics – even a 10% blend – will prevent static electricity.
Organic linen sheets make great wedding gifts
The same factors that make linen so comfortable to wear make linen sheets the luxurious choice. Organic linen sheets are the last word in luxury. Linen bed sheets are used in many parts of Europe, particularly in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland. In fact Belgian linen sheets are considered the most comfortable and luxurious and were included in wedding trousseaux. Belgian linen sheet sets still make a distinctive wedding gift.
Few people realize that we actually spend a third of our lives in bed. That’s a good reason to make your bed as comfortable as possible. Organic linen sheets can help ensure a good night’s sleep and peaceful dreams.
