What Is Linen? Properties, Benefits and Care

Linen is a natural fibre obtained from the flax plant. It feels cool on the skin. That is exactly what makes linen one of the most popular fabrics for bedding and home textiles. In this guide we explain what linen is, how it is made, what properties it has and how to care for it properly.

What is linen and how is it made?

In short: linen is a natural fibre from the stalk of the flax plant, which in German is also called Lein, hence the name. The fibres are turned into yarn and cloth, from which the finished linen fabric is woven.

Linen is one of the oldest cultivated fibres in the world. It is obtained from the stalks of the flax plant, which is why people also speak of flax fibre. The fibres are naturally long and fine, which gives the finished fabric its characteristically smooth, slightly irregular surface.

Our linen is European linen, made in Portugal. From flax to finished fabric, the fibre goes through several traditional steps: after the harvest the flax is retted, with moisture and natural microorganisms loosening the fibres from the woody stalk. The stalk is then broken and scutched to separate the woody parts of the plant from the fibre. During hackling, the fibres are aligned in parallel and sorted by length, before they are spun into yarn and finally woven into linen fabric. Compared with many other fibres, flax needs little additional irrigation when it is grown.

The properties of linen

Linen is known above all for its light feel.

On top of that: linen is robust and keeps its shape. What you should know: linen has little elasticity and therefore creases visibly. For many people, that natural, slightly crumpled look is exactly the charm of the material.

light
robust and keeps its shape
creases visibly and has little elasticity

Advantages and disadvantages at a glance

Advantages

It feels softer with every wash.

Disadvantages

Linen creases, that is part of the material. It also has little stretch and reacts more sensitively to heavy friction than cotton, for example, which is why the gentle cycle makes sense. Fresh linen also often feels somewhat stiffer and firmer at first. This effect noticeably wears off over the first few washes. If you prefer a smooth, crease-free look, linen may not be the right material for you.

Caring for linen properly

Linen is easier to look after than many people think. Wash it cool, 30-40 °C is usually enough, ideally on the gentle cycle and with a detergent for delicates. Skip the tumble dryer and let linen air dry instead, that protects the fibre and stops it shrinking too much.

If you do not like the crumpled look, you can iron linen while it is slightly damp. Always check the care label of the specific model before washing, since fabric blends can carry different instructions.

Linen at erlich

With us you will find linen above all in the home section. Our linen bedding is made from European linen, made in Portugal. Further home textiles round off the range. You will find more on material and origin on our material page on linen.

If you want to read up on the topic in general, our articles on sustainable bedding and on caring for bedding will help you further.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of fabric is linen?

Linen is a fabric made from flax fibres, a plant-based natural fibre obtained from the stalk of the flax plant. Typical of the fabric are a light feel and a natural, slightly irregular structure. That makes linen a purely plant-based fabric and not a synthetic fibre.

Is linen sustainable?

Flax, the raw material for linen, grows in Europe and needs little additional irrigation when it is grown. Whether that is sustainable enough for you depends on your own criteria.

Why does linen crease?

Linen is naturally not very elastic. The fibres barely give under pressure and do not spring back into their original shape, which is why creases form. That is not a quality defect but a property of the material.

How do you wash linen?

Wash linen cool at 30-40 °C on the gentle cycle with a detergent for delicates. Let it air dry instead of putting it in the tumble dryer. That keeps the fibre looking good for a long time. If in doubt, check the care label.