Linen is not a new trend, as it is one of the oldest fabrics that has been around for thousands of years. Linen dates back to 3000 B.C., when Ancient Egyptians used it as their top cloth. Unfortunately, it has not been the most popular bedding to reach for at the store when compared to its cheaper and mass-produced counterparts like cotton. It is true that linen can be quite expensive, but when you compare it to similar luxurious Egyptian cotton, you can easily see why linen is the smarter choice.

When choosing cotton, one usually looks for the higher thread count, which is known to have the silkiest fell. However, thread count does not affect linen. Linen has thicker thread, so it does not really matter what the thread count is. Instead, one should look for where the linen was grown and woven. Linen’s luxurious feel comes from the best flax plants, which are normally grown in European countries such as Belgium, Ireland, France, and Lithuania. The longer the fiber extracted from the flax plant, the softer the thread, which means the more luxurious the feel of the woven fabric. While you are looking for higher thread count in cotton, you should be looking for 100% European linen that has a higher weight. The ideal weight for linen should be between 175 grams and 190 grams. Most of the time this weighted linen has a thread count between 80 to 120.  

The cost of luxurious linen bedsheets can cost a few hundred dollars just like the cost of Egyptian cotton can go for over $500.

Why is Luxury Linen Worth the Money?

Here we will go over just a few reasons why luxury linen can be worth the money in the long run.

Linen Has Amazing Longevity

There is a reason why linen heirlooms are passed down from generation to generation. Linen truly has one of the longest-life spans. Because good quality linen has thick and lengthy fibers, it provides great durability. Unlike cotton, the more you wash linen the stronger and softer the linen becomes. Cotton, on the other hand, can deteriorate the more washes it goes through. On average, linen can withstand a few decades while cotton lasts a few years. One may purchase two or three cotton bedsheets in the lifespan of one linen bedsheet.

Quality of Linen Can’t Be Beat

European linen, some of the best linen in the world, is known for its quality. Linen is 30% stronger than most cotton and is the 2nd strongest natural fabric after silk.The threads of linen are much thicker than cotton, and therefore can last longer. In addition, the more luxurious linens come from certain European countries where the fiber threads are longer and therefore the linen is smoother and silkier. Linen will continue to get softer after each wash. Because European linen is known for its quality, it will last long, and therefore cost less in the long run.

Linen Has Better Temperature Neutrality

Even though linen may be thicker than cotton, its natural elements make it very breathable. It will keep sleepers cool and dry during the summer nights and warm and cozy during the winter nights. Consumers can use linen in both the summer and winter, so should only need one pair of bedding, which saves money.

Linen Saves Money in Energy

Linen can save people lots of money in energy. Most linen should be washed on cold or lukewarm water, which saves a lot more energy than washing in hot water. In addition, many people like to hang linen out to dry or just put linen in the dryer for a shorter amount of time, which again saves money.

Linen has Health Benefits

Using linen has some great health benefits. The fabric is naturally hypoallergenic. It is the best fabric for those with sensitive skin or prone to allergies. First, linen naturally repeals dirt and moisture, which in return suppresses common bacteria that normally like to grow between sheets. Linen also stimulates blood flow. The natural fabric has microscopic “breaks” in the fabric, which can gently massage the body while you sleep and therefore can stimulate blood flow.

Why is Luxury Linen so Expensive?

Remember, you get what you pay for. The process of making linen is a more intense and natural process compared to cotton. The process to extract the fibers from the flax plant takes longer, is mostly done by hand, and uses less chemicals. Many European countries that produce luxurious linen still use the manual process to make linen, compared to cotton production which is mainly done by machines. When a consumer buys linen they are basically paying for handmade quality. 

Conclusion

Not only can linen save money in the long run, but it is also worth every penny. Linen bedding last for generations, can offer a better sleep with regulated temperatures, can save money in energy when laundering, and has multiple health benefits.