You can take one look at certain things in life and know they’re special. Linen sheets are one of them. These sheets aren’t just bedding; they’re an intentional investment that elevates your home and supports restorative rest.
Like any investment, you want to care for your linen sheets properly to ensure you enjoy them for years. Linen lends effortless style to any space, and luckily, its care is pretty effortless, too.
What Makes Linen Bedding Special?
Browse the bedding aisles of any department store, and your head will quickly spin at all the options available. Percale or Pima, warm flannel or cooling sheets—who knew bedding could be so complicated? Fortunately, linen sheets are simple: cool, soft, and durable in one beautiful package.
Linen sheets vs. Sheets Made from Synthetic Fabrics
While synthetic fabrics are great in certain applications (hello, yoga pants!), they make for a pretty poor sleeping environment. Hot and unbreathable microfiber sheets can leave you overheated and sweaty instead of cool and comfortable. Further, microfiber sheds microplastics—your money is literally going down the drain with every wash.
On the other hand, linen is a natural textile with long, very strong fibers. This fabric has a loose, breathable weave and moisture-wicking properties that make it perfect for bedding.
Linen Sheets vs. Cotton Sheets
So, synthetics are out for bedding, but what about cotton? While cotton is a natural fiber that is far more breathable than synthetic fiber, it still loses out when compared to linen. Beyond breathability, linen is far more durable than cotton.
While linen sheets may have a higher upfront cost, their quality and durability make them a wiser investment in the long run. Cotton sheets may last one to two years, but with proper care, linen sheets can serve your home for five years or more. In fact, there are even examples of linen bedding sets that have been passed down as heirlooms through multiple generations!
Linen even shines in other high-use home applications, like shower curtains. No other fabric blends beauty and utility so well.
Why Is Linen Bedding So Durable?
Linen is made from the long, hollow fibers of the flax plant and has been used for clothing and household goods for thousands of years. These long fibers help linen bedding easily withstand daily use and manage to get even softer with every wash. There’s a reason this amazing fabric has stood the test of time!
Linenforce sources only the finest flax for our thoughtfully designed home goods, from our Made to Measure Tablecloths to our Quilted Bedspreads. Our products are lovingly made to order by our talented team of seamstresses. Properly cared for, linen sheets are an investment for your home that you will enjoy for years.
How to Care for Linen Sheets
One of the best things about linen is that it’s so easy to care for. With just the most basic laundering, your linen bedding will dress your home beautifully; no special trips to a dry cleaner required.
There are genuinely only a handful of ways to damage your linen. Remembering a few key tips will ensure you slip into a beautiful, comfortable bed every night!
What Not to Do When Caring for Linen Bedding
Never use high heat to wash or dry your linen bedding. High temperatures can cause your linen to shrink. And while the dryer on low is fine, line drying will help extend the life of your linen bedding even further.
Do not use fabric softeners. Linen naturally softens over time, but additives like fabric softeners prevent this from happening. Fabric softeners coat the fibers of your linen, causing them to be stiff and scratchy.
Do not use bleach, even on white linen goods. Bleach can weaken the long fibers of the linen that make the fabric so durable. Bleaching your linen will shorten its lifespan.
Do not pour laundry detergent directly onto your linen sheets. Dyes from the detergent can discolor the fabric.
Do not be afraid to wash! Linen sheets only get softer with time. Repeated washings remove lingering pectin, a naturally occurring compound in the flax plant. Removing this pectin softens the linen and gives you cozier bedding each time you launder. To ensure a healthy sleeping environment, experts recommend washing your sheets weekly.
How to Launder Your Linen Sheets in 7 Simple Steps
Washing your linen bedding is simple, and the following is a general guide to linen care. However, each of our linen home goods is unique and made to order, so be sure to reference the care instructions that come with your particular product to ensure the longest life for your beautiful linens.
Step 1: Spot-treat any deep stains using a gentle stain remover.
Step 2: Wash linen sheets separately or with fabrics of a similar color and material.
Step 3: Wash in water no warmer than 30 C/86 F.
Step 4: Add mild liquid detergent to the wash water before adding sheets.
Step 5: Wash on a delicate cycle.
Step 6: Line dry or tumble dry with a delicate cycle on low heat.
Step 7: Remove promptly to avoid excessive wrinkling.
How to Store Your Linens
Linenforce offers several styles of linen sheets in 15 stunning colors—we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to swap your look seasonally! Make sure that you protect your linen during storage to avoid damage from moisture and pests.
Freshly wash your bedding prior to storage to remove any soils or stains that could attract pests. Moisture is your enemy, so make sure linen is completely dry before storage to prevent mildew and mold. A desiccant pack can help absorb any moisture in the air and prevent musty smells from developing.
It’s tempting to store your bedding in plastic storage totes, but try to avoid this. Plastic can cause yellow discoloration on your fabrics, and lack of airflow can cause humidity buildup. If you must use a plastic tote, choose one with airflow holes. Fabric bags, like a pillowcase, are an even better option.
Enjoy Your Linen Bedding for Years
You know how special linen bedding is, and with these simple tips, you can enjoy snuggling up in luxury for years to come. Keep it simple: wash gently in cool water with mild detergent and store in a dry place with plenty of airflow. It’s just that easy.
