About Linen

Definition and History

  • Flax is an annual and perennial grass and sub-shrub. The stems of flax grow vertically up to 150 cm. (almost 60 inches!)
  • The word linen is derived from the Latin for the flax plant, which is linum, and the earlier Greek linon.
  • Linen is woven from the fibers of the flax plant and is a completely natural product. EVERYTHING from the flax plant and processing is utilized. There is no waste! The seeds are saved for replanting, the chafe is used in livestock feed. And the linen fiber itself is totally biodegradable and recyclable.
  • Linen is one of the world's oldest fabrics. Linen garments were worn in Egypt dating back 5,000 years.
  • Silica present in the flax fiber protects linen against rotting - the mummies of Egyptian Pharaohs preserved to the present day are wrapped in the finest linen cloth.

Attributes of Linen

Health

  • Linen is virtually lint free, non-static, non-allergenic, naturally insect-repellent and gives UV protection.
  • The Flax cell is highly compatible with the human cell thereby producing benevolent effects on the human organism.
  • Flax fabric is an excellent filter protecting against a chemically aggressive medium, noise and dust.
  • Linen is effective in dealing with inflammatory conditions, reducing fever and regulating air ventilation, and is also helpful in the treatment of some neurological ailments.
  • Linen reduces gamma radiation nearly by half and protects the human organism against solar radiation. Flax fibre from contaminated soils appears not to exhibit even small traces of radiation.
  • Linen underwear possesses rare bacteriological properties. Resistant to fungus and bacteria, it is found to be an effective barrier to some diseases.
  • According to medical studies conducted in Japan, bed-ridden patients do not develop bedsores where linen bed sheets are used. Wearing linen clothes helps to get rid of some skin diseases - from common rash to chronic eczemas.
  • Linen does not cause allergic reactions and is helpful in treating a number of allergic disorders.
  • Linen cloth does not accumulate static electricity - even a small blend of flax fibres (up to 10%) to a cloth is enough to eliminate the static electricity effect. Also linen fibre is used for protective garments of the spacemen and for protection of the spaceships outside.

Breathability

  • When linen fabrics are in contact with the skin, the nodes along the length of the fiber absorb perspiration, then swell and release the moisture to the outside air, thus creating a fabric self cooled by evaporation. As a result linen is a popular choice for bedding particularly in hot climates.
  • Linen is highly hygroscopic as it is capable of rapidly absorbing and yielding moisture. Water evaporates very quickly from its fibers. Linen can absorb up to 20% of its own weight in moisture while still feeling dry to the touch. That explains why linen cloth always feels fresh and cool.
  • Linen possesses high air permeability and heat conductivity properties. Heat conductivity of linen is five times as high as that of wool and 19 times as that of silk. In hot weather those dressed in linen clothes are found to show the skin temperature 3°-4°C below that of their silk or cotton-wearing friends. According to some studies, a person wearing linen clothes perspires 1.5 times less than when dressed in cotton clothes and twice less than when dressed in viscose clothes. Meanwhile in cold weather linen it is ideal for keeping you warm.

Strength

  • Linen is stronger, and much glossier than cotton.
  • Linen is renowned for its spectacular durability and long life. The tensile strength of linen thread is twice as high as that of cotton and three times that of wool.
  • Linen fabrics are five times more resistant to rubbing than cotton fabrics.
  • Flax yarns and fabrics increase about 20% in strength on wetting. Linen is also therefore stronger when being washed, resulting in greater longevity than, for example, cotton.
  • Over time linen textiles become softer and more comfortable.
  • The linen fabric does not turn yellow if cared for properly. It becomes whiter and softer with time.
  • It is better to iron linen fabric with hot iron from the backside.
  • Pure linen damask is the name given to products woven from pure flax yarns in a special manner so that patterns are visible even in an all white cloth.
  • For more information, visit the Wikipedia linen pages.