With roughly one-third of our lives spent sleeping, creating a healthy sleeping environment should be a high priority. Many factors can affect sleep quality, and one of the biggest is the fibres you sleep on. As bed linen comes in direct contact with your skin, natural fibres should be the first choice when selecting your bedding.
(Q) How is linen made?
(A) Pure linen is a beautiful, natural product derived from flax. Flax is 100% biodegradable and recyclable, and is a great ambassador for environmental sustainability as it grows naturally, requires little or no fertilisers and does not require irrigation. It is kind to our earth, and the natural strength of yarn produced from flax reduces the need for starching during the weaving process. This results in fewer chemicals being used. Often, cotton and synthetic crops are sprayed with pesticides and herbicides, and these chemicals can remain in the finished products and be absorbed through the skin.
(Q) Is linen a healthy choice for bedding?
(A) Natural fibres are the best option for bedding in all seasons, offering breathability that keeps you cool and dry in summer and warm in winter. Pure linen is the first choice because it is highly absorbent and a good heat conductor, and it can absorb up to 20% of its dry weight before feeling damp or wet. This means it will absorb more perspiration from the skin, and the sheets will not take on a ‘clammy’ feel. Your linen bedding will feel cool to the touch, and its high moisture-absorbency will help prevent the fibres from breaking down as quickly as other textiles. It is claimed that the heat conductivity of linen is five times higher than wool and eighteen times higher than silk.
(Q) How does linen promote better sleep?
(A) Linen is anti-static, which explains why it stays cleaner longer and doesn’t cling to the body. It is said that linen will soften and preserve your skin due to its pH-neutral balance. Linen bedding offers a gentle massaging sensation on your skin thanks to the small slubs in the fabric, which stimulate the skin, boost blood circulation, and encourage deep and restorative sleep.
(Q) Are linen sheets good for sensitive skin?
(A) Linen, because of its natural fibres and production process, is inherently hypoallergenic. Sleeping in pure linen sheets will help you avoid common allergic reactions found with other fabrics, such as synthetics. Pure linen’s natural antibacterial properties help suppress bacteria, so sweat is less likely to break down the linen fibres as it would in cotton. The natural qualities of flax make linen the perfect non-allergenic choice.
(Q) Is linen bedding warm enough for winter?
(A) Linen is a natural insulator, and its fibres are hollow, allowing air to move and moisture to evaporate naturally, making it thermoregulating: it insulates in the cold and stays cool and breathable when it’s warm. During the colder months, layer linen blankets or linen throws to retain the heat from your body. Linen reacts to the season to give you the best quality sleep and is valued for its ability to keep you cool in summer. This is achieved through the fibre's natural properties.
To experience the benefits of 100% pure European linen, browse our range of pure linen bedding, bath linen, table linen and linen accessories.