Did you know?
Did you know your U.S. dollar bill is 25% linen? (The other 75% is cotton.)
What is flax? How is it used?
Flax is grown for 2 purposes. Its fiber is used to make beautiful linen textiles for clothing and other household items. When we think of linen, we think of sunnier days and greener grass. Most likely, your treasured summer blouses or dresses are linen. Linen textiles are highly breathable and water-absorbent, making them perfect for the warmer seasons. Additionally, linen textiles are used to make bed sheets, curtains, towels, and furniture upholstery. It’s also grown for seed to feed people and livestock. Flax is well known for being high in fiber and omega 3 oils.
Cultivated for over 10,000 years, flax is one of the oldest natural fibers. The fiber is extracted from the flax or linseed plant. It’s grown mainly in Western Europe. Overall, flax is credited with being a sustainable fiber. Farming flax is generally easy and quick. Farmers do not have to rely on pesticides, fertilizers, or frequent irrigation to grow flax successfully. As a result, farming flax is not energy or water intensive.
Although the farming process of flax cultivation is not energy or water intensive, the process of turning flax into linen IS. Retting is the extraction process of flax fibers from the stems of the plant. The chemicals used during this process produces harmful wastewater. Furthermore, many finishing techniques used to produce linen textiles produce water pollution as well as air and environmental pollution. Not only does this pose a threat to surrounding environments, its also pose a threat to workers who are exposed to chemicals in the workplace.
What are the advantages of linen fabrics?
2-3x stronger than cotton
Breathable
Comfortable during all seasons
Absorbs and releases moisture quickly
Softens after wash and wear
Anti-static
What are the disadvantages of linen fabrics?
Low elasticity
Difficult to dye and bleach
Prone to wrinkle
Weakens after wash and wear
How to care for and make your favorite linen pieces last:
Wash your linens on your machine’s gentle cycle, avoiding cold or very hot water. It’s best to wash your linens in lukewarm temperatures. Linen is known to shrink in hot temperatures.
Use a mild detergent.
Your linens should be able to move freely in the washing machine. If the washing machine is too crowded, your linens will get tangled and twist or pull out of shape.
Only wash your linens with like items. You’ll want to make sure that what you’re putting into the washing machine is of similar fiber, color, and weight.
It is always safest to air dry your linens flat! However, you can dry your linens in a tumble dryer if they have been pre-washed during production. Set the drying temperature to low and remove the linens while they are still a little damp. This can help prevent wrinkling.
If you are not a fan of the natural wrinkles that linens usually form after a wash, run a warm iron over your pieces while they are still damp.
We always recommend that you check the care label on your linen garments. Linen textiles vary in design and composition which will affect the way your garments should be cared for. Always hand wash your linens and lay flat to dry if your care label is instructing you to do so. Linen textiles are naturally durable. They will be beautifully preserved as long as you are giving them the care the they deserve!
Are you interested in sourcing a linen fabric for your brand? Keep an eye out for:
Organic linen fabrics certified by the The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Search the GOTS Public Database to find certified vendors.
Look for Fair Trade certified suppliers or suppliers who are practicing transparency to ensure that the workers who make your textiles are protected.
Linen fabrics that are made from fiber extracted using the Dew Retting method. Dew Retting is more natural and environmentally friendly. Read more about Dew Retting here.
Naturally colored linen fabrics. It is common to remove the natural color of linen fabrics and artificially re-color them. Try finding a linen fabric that is still its natural color.
Additional Resources for you to explore:
Comment Objective Fibre Briefing: Linen
Tips on Washing Your Linen Clothes