Linen made a big comeback last year, and it has been a fixture in our wardrobes and homes ever since. Rightly so: the pleasantly soft natural fibre is light, feels fresh and dry, and has a beautifully natural look. Find out what other benefits linen fabric offers, where it is used in interiors and how to care for this popular material.
Buying linen home textiles – what you should know:
1. What is linen? Properties and special features of the fabric
2. From the kitchen to the bathroom: how linen is used
3. Variations: not all linen is the same
4. Care tips: how to keep the natural fibre looking good for longer
5. Frequently asked questions
1. What is linen? Properties and special features of the fabric
Linen is a fibre obtained from the stem of the flax plant, also known as common flax. To avoid damaging the delicate fibre, it is separated from the rest of the plant tissue, refined in several stages and spun into yarn. Linen is one of the oldest textiles in the world and was already in use in ancient times. Today, this natural fibre is still valued for its distinctive properties.
The first time you hold linen in your hands, you immediately notice its unmistakable character: textured, cool and dry. Linen fabrics are high quality and finely woven. Thanks to the smooth fibres, which are easy to spin and trap little air, linen is tear-resistant, non-stretch, light, dirt-repellent, lint-free, naturally resistant to bacteria and antistatic.
When loosely woven, linen fabrics are breathable and help reduce sweating. They absorb moisture and release it into the surrounding air. The hollow core of the fibre makes them highly permeable to air, which gives them a cooling effect – that's why linen bedding is ideal in summer.
Because dust is less likely to collect on its smooth surface, linen is particularly hygienic and a good choice for allergy sufferers. Good to know: flax fibre is biodegradable, which makes it one of the more environmentally friendly textile fibres.
2. From the kitchen to the bathroom: how linen is used
Light and pleasantly textured, linen feels good against the skin, which makes it a popular material for summer clothing and bedding. Beyond linen bedding, the sustainable natural fibre is finding its way into our homes in many other forms and is now used for all kinds of home textiles.
Kitchen and dining area: In the kitchen, linen tea towels look good, feel pleasant in the hand and are strong, lint-free and durable. Linen oven gloves, napkins, placemats and tablecloths are also sturdy and long-lasting.
Living room: Linen is also appearing more and more often in the living room. Sofas, chairs, cushions, rugs and even lamps come with modern linen covers and bring a calm, natural feel.
Bathroom: In the bathroom, half-linen towels gently massage the skin thanks to their distinctive texture. Accessories such as linen storage baskets make the bathroom feel even more homely.
Bedroom: Linen bedding isn't just a good choice for allergy sufferers. On warm summer nights, the natural fabric helps reduce sweating and keeps you cool, and its textured feel is pleasantly light on the skin. Linen curtains and decorative cushions complete the relaxed, sensual look.
3. Variations: not all linen is the same
Fabric is only called pure linen if it is made of 100 per cent flax. If it consists of at least 40 per cent linen blended with cotton, it is known as half-linen. Because cotton is absorbent, half-linen is mainly used to make towels. The higher the linen content, the firmer the fabric and the more easily it creases. In return, it looks even more refined.
In its natural state, raw linen is creamy white. Dyed, it comes in many other shades – usually muted earth tones or soft pastels that preserve the material's natural, homely look. Either way, it creates a cosy feel, and its understated appearance suits both contemporary new builds and romantic country houses.
4. Care tips: how to keep the natural fibre looking good for longer
The great thing about linen is that it becomes softer, brighter and more absorbent with every wash. To help you enjoy your favourite linen pieces for a long time, we've put together some tips on washing linen:
How to wash linen:
- Before the first wash, it's best to soak linen home textiles overnight in plenty of water. This prevents the fibres from breaking and forming creases that can't be ironed out.
- In general, linen needs plenty of water and space in the wash – it has to be able to float. So only fill the washing machine halfway and choose a delicates programme, which uses more water. Newer models often have a "water plus" button.
- The right detergent for linen: use detergent without optical brighteners. Neutral soaps and liquid detergent for delicates work best. Avoid fabric softener altogether, as it makes the fibres swell too much.
- Wash coloured linen at a maximum of 40 °C and treat stains immediately. Wash natural linen at 60 °C. Don't use stain-removing salts, as they can bleach the fabric. If necessary, you can also wash undyed linen at 95 °C.
- Because linen creases easily, spin it only at a low speed and don't put it in the tumble dryer.
Hang linen up smoothly to dry – white linen can go in the sun, coloured linen is better in the shade. Iron the fabric while it is still slightly damp. Ironing gives linen back its sheen, crispness and characteristic crackle.
5. Frequently asked questions about linen
How long has linen been around?
Linen has a long history. It was being processed systematically at least 6,000 years ago and has always been valued for its hygienic and dirt-repellent properties and its durability.
Which linen fabric is best for bedding?
Both pure linen and half-linen are used for bedding. If you want to benefit from the particularly cooling, sweat-reducing properties, choose pure linen bedding – it releases absorbed moisture and doesn't stick to the skin. The added cotton in half-linen, however, makes the bedding softer and more supple.
How does linen become soft?
Linen becomes softer over time and with every gentle wash. Make sure you only use a mild detergent.
Does linen shrink in the wash?
As a pure natural fibre, linen usually shrinks by around 4%. However, manufacturers make their pieces so that linen curtains, covers, tablecloths and the like still fit perfectly after washing. In the tumble dryer, linen can shrink by up to 15%, so you should always air-dry your linen home textiles.
How much does linen cost?
Compared with other fibres, linen is relatively expensive, mainly because harvesting and processing flax is very complex and labour-intensive. Even so, linen textiles are worth investing in: linen is extremely durable and robust, and its distinctive, comfortable properties are a real pleasure.
In our shop, you can find high-quality linen tea towels for under €15. Cushions, bedding, tablecloths, rugs and lights are in the mid-price range of up to €350. Exclusive seating with linen covers is in the higher price range.
Whether it's a small cushion, new bedding or an armchair with a linen cover – try it out and feel the difference. Enjoy decorating with linen, and caring for it!
