How to choose the best linen bedding sheets for your home?
The most elegant lady I have ever seen was at a small restaurant near the French-German border. It happened to be asparagus season, and the silver-haired lady sat at a small table by the window, leisurely cutting the plump white asparagus into small pieces and putting them into her mouth. She didn’t have the red lips and scarf of a Parisian woman, only a well-ironed linen shirt with strong bones. Although she had wrinkles and was no longer young, she was unforgettable with her charm. Since then, linen has become the goddess in my heart.
Sophie Marceau’s serene temperament is well suited to linen.
Not just clothing, linen is everywhere in French life: linen curtains, linen tablecloths, linen bedding…
This time, we will explain in detail how to focus on the key points, avoid traps, and buy truly high-quality linen bedding.
linen bedding greatly enhances the taste of the bedroom.
Only linen has the lazy temperament.
A family heirloom that can be passed down as a dowry for my daughter
Flax is the earliest natural fiber discovered and used by humans. The history of flax development can almost keep pace with the history of human civilization.
Linen originated from the Near East and the Mediterranean coast. As early as more than 5,000 years ago, the residents of the Mesopotamian plain and the ancient Egyptians had cultivated linen and spun its fibers into clothing. Later, it was brought into southern Europe by the Phoenicians. In the Roman era, Europeans used comfortable linen robes as underwear and wore woolen robes outside to keep warm (which is why most of our underwear is white today); in the Middle Ages, the use of linen became more widespread and spread to countries such as France, England, and Belgium.
In Europe, linen, like crystal and silverware, is a symbol of a wealthy lifestyle. It is said that King Louis XIV, who bathed no more than seven times in his lifetime, relied on wiping his body with linen cloth and changing four or five linen shirts every day to maintain cleanliness.
Linen is also a necessary dowry for French brides. In order to provide linen products for poor girls to use as dowry when they get married, France once established a system called “Bride’s Dowry Fund”, which saved money on a regular basis from the age of 8 until the age of 21. When they get married, they can get a “marriage fund” and a dowry composed of various linen products.
In the eyes of Europeans who understand life, linen also represents inheritance. Vintage linen sheets embroidered with the owner’s name in flower patterns can often be seen at flea markets in France. Well-maintained linen products can be passed down as dowries to the next generation.
This linen closet contains valuable belongings.
Westerners often like to embroider their names in fancy letters on linen products.
Many advantages of linen products
Linen can become a favorite of the wealthy class in Europe, partly because it has unparalleled advantages compared to other fabrics: moisture absorption, breathability, durability, UV resistance, and radiation resistance.
Moisture absorption, breathability
Linen is one of the most environmentally friendly natural fibers in the world, with extremely high moisture absorption and low elasticity. The water absorption rate of linen is several times faster than that of cotton. Moreover, due to the physical characteristics of linen, it has a relatively low fabric density and better breathability, which can increase the comfort of the body in hot or humid weather.
In winter, linen bedding is also a good choice, especially in the damp and cold place. Matched with woolen blankets or silk quilts, it is both dry and warm.
Characteristics of linen bedding for dehumidification.
Durable
Linum, commonly known as linen, is a natural fiber used by linen. Its strength is much higher than that of cotton fiber, so its service life is relatively long, and it often begins to wear out after normal use for three to five years.
Every time it is washed, it becomes softer and smoother, which is opposite to cotton. Therefore, many embroideries that have been preserved for thousands of years are made of linen.
Linen is the finest fabric for embroidery, especially the embroidered linen fabric produced in France.
UV protection and radiation resistance
Half-cellulose contained in linen textile products is the best material for absorbing ultraviolet rays. The half-cellulose content in linen fiber is over 18%, several times higher than that of cotton fiber. The owner of a relatively large linen factory told us that the best anti-UV effect is actually found in hemp fiber, but it is not easy to obtain hemp fiber for some reasons, so linen has become the best natural fiber for anti-UV.
Meanwhile, linen can also effectively reduce the harmful effects of magnetic fields on the human body. Nowadays, maternity clothes that are designed to prevent radiation contain a large proportion of linen material.
Choosing clothes made of linen during pregnancy is a great choice.
Rain-Fed Linen and Water-Fed Linen
In order to choose a good linen bedding, it is necessary to understand the differences between rain-fed linen and water-fed linen, as well as the differences in fiber raw materials and fabrics.
The foundation of high-quality linen fabric is high-quality fiber raw materials, and the climate has a huge impact on the growth of linen. The origin of linen also becomes an important factor in measuring its quality. The best quality linen comes from Normandy, France and Flanders, Belgium, with long fibers and golden color. linen likes a damp and cool environment. In addition to France and Belgium, other major linen-producing countries in Europe include the Netherlands, Russia, and Ukraine; India, Egypt, and Heilongjiang, China also produce linen, but the fiber is shorter and the quality is average.
The process of manufacturing textiles from natural fibers is very complex and requires processes such as retting, scutching, and wet spinning. Normandy, France and Flanders, Belgium have a damp and cool climate, which is most suitable for linen growth. Moreover, they have a long history of cultivation, rich experience, and advanced technology, which together promote the high quality of linen.
The cool environment is also beneficial for the separation of the fiber and the central part of the linen stem through natural microbial activity after harvesting, achieving the goal of degumming, and then experienced workers can obtain the linen fibers through pressing and combing. This kind of linen fiber is called rain-fed linen, which is mainly produced in France and Belgium. In some areas where rainfall is insufficient, warm water must be used for retting, which is mainly the case in Egypt and China. Rain-fed linen is superior to warm water linen.
linen plant
From Hemp Stalks to Linen Fibers
linen fiber
Fiber Raw Materials and Fabrics
By now, you probably have an understanding of the difference between linen fabric and linen fibers. Linen fabric is woven from linen fibers, and often, Rain Linen is not woven into fabric in France and Belgium and then exported, but is directly exported as linen fibers to linen mills around the world to weave into linen cloth. Worldwide, if it is imported fabric, it is generally produced in Biella in northern Italy, Northern Ireland, and Belgium. The best linen fabrics mostly come from these three regions. If the fibers and fabrics are both produced in Belgium, then it is of excellent quality.
linen fabric
High count and washing process
Like all textiles, high thread count is the foundation of high quality for linen.
Internationally, linen is generally measured using lea. The higher the thread count, the finer the yarn, and the higher the quality of the linen fabric, making it easier to have a soft, smooth texture. The high-quality linen bedding commonly found in the market is usually 14 thread count. We have seen linen fabric with a thread count of 21 in a linen factory, with fine texture and color, soft and skin-friendly, both visually and tactilely almost indistinguishable from high-quality cotton fabric. It is said that there are even 40-thread count high-end linen bedding products.
Another advantage of high thread count linen fabric is that designers can easily incorporate more complex colors into the fine fibers and weave more complex and elegant patterns.
Water washing is a common processing technology for linen fabric, with different media added, such as enzyme washing, sand washing, and stone washing. After water washing, linen fabric is softer and more skin-friendly, which is also more popular.
However, some people prefer the original fiber texture of linen and prefer linen bedding with moderate thread count and no water washing.
High density linen fabric
Washed linen
International Linen Brands
As previously mentioned, the international top bedding brands mainly focus on high-quality cotton bedding with high thread counts. However, so far, I have only seen one linen bedding in Yves Delorme’s store, which is priced at 2-3 times higher than cotton bedding.
There are too many low-quality linen bedding products on the market. The most common problem is false ingredients. Some products claim to be linen bedding, but the actual linen content is only 50%, or the lining is made of cotton while the surface is made of linen. Genuine linen bedding should be made of 100% linen. The worst trick is probably to use “linen texture” washed cotton to deceive consumers.
If quality is a priority with no consideration for price, you can visit the online stores of these international big brands on Amazon for more options. In Europe and America, because of the tradition of using linen bedding, there are some high-quality linen brands that can be recommended to everyone:
Libeco
Libeco was founded in 1858 and is now in its fifth generation of management. It is the top linen brand. From linen fiber to fabric, everything is 100% produced in Belgium. Therefore, all Libeco products have the “Belgian linen” mark, and only 6 brands in the world can use this mark. Libeco has also been awarded the title of linen master. Libeco’s colors are relatively elegant, with mostly solid colors. A set of bedding is priced at $1000+.
Now I really love this linen bedding in deep red color.
Lapuan Kankurit
Although Lapuan Kankurit, a Finnish brand, uses a variety of raw materials, all of its products adhere to high quality and craftsmanship standards. Its linen products have even earned the title of “linen master”. The linen bedding is brightly colored and often features geometric patterns, with a strong Nordic style and relatively affordable prices.
The use of geometric patterns is a major characteristic of Lapuan Kankurit bedding.
PeachSkinSheets is a bedding company that provides high-quality bedding products for customers all around the world. The company was founded in 2013 by a woman named Janet, who was frustrated with the poor quality of the sheets available in the market. She decided to create her own brand of soft, durable, and affordable sheets that would provide a comfortable sleeping experience for all.
PeachSkinSheets are made from a proprietary blend of high-performance fibers that are breathable, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic. These sheets are designed to keep you cool and comfortable all night long, no matter the season. They also have a luxurious feel that is comparable to high-end hotel sheets.
High thread count linen bedding
US high-end home brand West Elm can be considered as a luxurious version of Ikea, with a wide range of products. Their linen bedding is also of great quality, with materials sourced from Belgium. A set costs around $500.
Linen House is an Australian linen family business, founded in 1993, known for its design and use of colors. A set of bedding costs about $500, and discounted items are occasionally available on the official website.
Simple & Opulence is a luxury bedding and homeware brand that offers high-quality products at an affordable price. The brand focuses on providing its customers with comfortable and stylish bedding options that enhance the overall aesthetic of their homes.
The company was founded in 2014 and has since then established itself as a leading name in the luxury bedding industry. Simple & Opulence’s mission is to provide customers with a comfortable and relaxing sleeping experience while also adding a touch of elegance to their homes.
Dapu is a well-known brand that produces high-quality linen sheets. The company specializes in using natural materials like linen to create bedding products that are both comfortable and eco-friendly.
Dapu linen sheets are available in a variety of styles and colors, so customers can find the perfect bedding to match their decor. The sheets are also designed to be durable and long-lasting, so customers can enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep for years to come.
Orange-pink linen products, I always feel that light-colored bedding looks good when stacked, and dark-colored bedding looks good when laid out.
