Linen: What’s So Great About It?

Linen, one of the oldest fibers known to man, has maintained a strong presence in the fashion world. What many people might not realize, however, is that linen fabric is ideal for home decorating as well. Here are some reasons why you should make a little space for linen in your home decor.

It’s environmentally friendly. Linen is made from flax, but unless you understand flax, it is hard to understand why linen is eco-friendly. Here are some facts about flax you might not know: Energy required to process flax is minimal

• Plant can be used in its entirety, meaning there will be no waste
• Being a natural fiber, it is recyclable and biodegradable
• Requires less water and fewer pesticides because it grows naturally

With traits such as these, it’s easy to see how linen is better for then environment than other fibers.

It has temperature-regulating properties. Linen is a great fabric for all four seasons in the year. In heat and humidity, moisture evaporates, leaving you feeling cool and comfortable. On colder days, air maintained within the fiber makes it a natural insulator. In other words, it’s an all year fiber.

It has healing properties. Linen is anti-microbial, resistant to fungi, and serves as a natural insect repellant. It helps calm and heal skin, which minimizes and sometimes eliminates, breakouts, irritations and allergic disorders that range from the common rash to chronic eczema. Linen can also have a massaging effect on the body, which can help relax the cardiovascular, nervous and muscular systems, as well as lessen the pain from arthritis. Furthermore, it serves as a superb allergen and dust filter, which helps maintain cleaner air around you. In a nutshell, linen is soothing on many levels.

It is long lasting. Linen is an exceptionally strong fiber, and surprisingly, even more strong when wet, than when dry. Twice as durable as cotton, it is crisp and luxurious. It wears well because of its ability to retain its color and its ability to stand up against dirt. Linen is very easy to wash and won’t stretch. It resists damage from abrasion and actually softens over time, without losing its strength. With properties such as these, it’s safe to say that linen just gets better and better over time.

Even though linen is known to wrinkle, the benefits far outweigh that. Wrinkles give your home a look of casual elegance, which not many other fabrics can provide. Before you design, rethink linen. Come visit us at Fabric Resource so we can help you find the perfect choice.

Come in to see us at Cutting Corners near Addison, Tx to pick out your favorite fabrics for your next project!