What Is Flax Linen: The Essential Facts

When shopping for new bedding or clothing, it's important to ask, "What is flax linen?"

As a remarkable material with many phenomenal benefits, flax fibres are often regarded as the better alternative to standard linen. Let's take a look at the differences between linen fabric and flax fibres, as well as how it's made and its benefits.

Is Flax Linen Real Linen?

It's common for homeowners to question whether flax linen is natural linen or not. Although it's not made from the same materials as traditional linen, it is crafted from organic materials. You'll find it carries several great benefits, many of which outweigh standard linen.

With that said, you could suggest that flax linen textiles are real linen as it looks the same and performs better. Also, you have the added benefit of sleeping on sheets crafted from the finest linens, speaking to their luxury. A more important matter to keep in mind when shopping for bedsheets is the quality of the linen.

When you're buying your favourite linen sheets, it's essential to look at the material composition. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a position where you're accidentally buying different kinds of linen.

Faux linen fibres look similar to traditional linen but won't carry the same benefits as the materials are significantly different. In most instances, faux linen samples will be made from a blend of polyester and cotton rather than natural linen. You'll also find it's pretty simple to compare the differences between fake linen, flax linen, and traditional linen.

Natural linen, like flax linen, has a smoother and softer feel between the fingers than fake varieties.

What Is the Difference Between Linen and Flax Linen?

There are a few differences that you'll find between linen and flax linen, especially since both materials are made differently. When researching how to make linen from flax, you'll find that the process is slightly different from regular linen.

Let's take a look at some of the more significant differences in detail.

What Is Linen?

Like flax linen, regular linen features natural fibres that typically come from wool or cotton. It has been used for centuries, first gaining its popularity in ancient Egypt and today, worldwide. The primary purpose of linen was to create a safe and comfortable material to wear in all weather.

Regular linen is exceptionally comfortable in the heat, as it allows for air to circulate through the fabric. It's also common to find that this type of linen is soft, much softer than you would expect. Thanks to its breathability, you're likely to notice that many summer clothing pieces are crafted from this fabric.

What Is Flax Linen?

On the other hand, flax linen is another alternative to rely on when looking for bed linens. Today, it's the primary source of most linen, especially the softest linen sheets from designer brands. Flax linen has all of the benefits of standard linen and a few others that we'll explore below.

When making the softest linen sheets, flax is made from fibres extracted from the flax plant. As for the rest, like flax seeds, it's often used to make flax oil as well as gels, soap, and medicine.

Flax linen goes through multiple processing steps before being turned into fabric, another difference between linen. Flax linen is more lustrous, highly flexible, and very soft when appropriately processed. It is also seen as being more luxurious than cotton linen, turning into your favourite linen sheets.

Raw flax linen often has a yellow or tan colouring and can easily be dyed into various colours.

What Is So Good About Flax Linen?

There are several key advantages to opting for flax linen sheets instead of other material types, including:

1. Naturally Hypoallergenic

If you regularly deal with allergies, upgrading your bedding to flax linen is well worth the investment. Flax is a naturally hypoallergenic material that's skin-friendly and helps prevent the build up of allergens in your bedroom.

2. Naturally Moisture-Resistant

Sleepers who sweat at night will appreciate how naturally moisture-resistant this material can be. In fact, this benefit is one of the main reasons linen is used for the softest linen sheets.

Flax linen textiles are known to absorb up to 20% of moisture without feeling wet, helping to prevent bacterial growth. With these sheets, you'll find that they can be washed less often and still look and feel fresh. They're also bound to withstand more wear and tear than other material types.

3. Improved Breathability

Another considerable benefit of flax linen textiles for hot sleepers is the material's breathability. Your favourite linen sheets allow for ample body temperature regulation, which can affect how comfortable your bed is. The cooler your body temperature, the more peaceful your sleep will be, especially in the summer.

4. Great Sustainability

Households must look for ways to give back to the environment, which is where flax linen shines. This material is remarkably sustainable for several reasons.

First, flax linen is harvested in cool temperatures, and the entirety of the plant is used for an assortment of products. Little water is needed to grow and maintain flax, and it also doesn't require herbicides or pesticides during cultivation.

5. Easy Maintenance

If you're tired of spending most of your weekends washing sheets, flax linen is here to help. It doesn't need any special care, regardless of how high-quality your sheets are. You can quickly wash them on a gentle cycle and dry them on low heat, rather than requiring dry cleaning or handwashing.

Why Is Flax Linen So Expensive?

The major reason this material is so expensive lies in the answer to how to make linen from flax. When answering, "How is linen made from flax?" you'll learn the processing takes a lot of time and effort. It's a more challenging and costly annual plant to grow and harvest than other materials like cotton.

All of the flax fibres needed for this material are found within flax's woody stalks, so it needs to get extracted. It's also important to note that flax is a fragile plant, so it breaks down while it's loomed. Manufacturers have to take their time cultivating flax stalks which require increased labour, resulting in higher retail prices.

This seemingly painstaking process is also incredibly selective, another answer to "How is linen made from flax?" The material can only be grown in specific conditions worldwide, making it less available than polyester and cotton.

Between managing damp soil and climatic conditions, it takes far more time to gather enough flax stalks for an assortment of products.

The Beneficial Linen

When answering, "What is flax linen?", there are a few key things to consider. It's an inherently beneficial material cultivated sustainably and helps to keep you cool and dry at night. Although it has a higher price tag, it's one of the softest and most durable natural materials available.