If you’re looking for something soft, reliable, and luxurious, linen bedding is an excellent choice to elevate your home and your sleeping routine. Once you’ve owned linen sheets, you will probably never go back to anything else. But how do you look for the best linen sheets? Knowing the answer to this question will ensure that you’re getting the highest-quality product possible for your investment. This guide is here to help you uncover the details of high-quality linen sheets and other bedding so that you can make the right choice for your sleeping needs.
Before we discuss some of the characteristics that make linen bedding products like sheets and blankets superior to options like synthetic fabrics and traditional cotton sheets, what exactly is linen? This ultra-soft yet durable material is an all-natural textile that comes from the stalks of the flax plant. If you’re looking for something luxurious that resembles high-end hotel bedding, you can’t go wrong with pure linen. What do linen sheets feel like? Because the structure of the fabric is so intricately woven, the softest linen sheets are smooth and exceptionally soft to the touch, yet more durable than most other fabrics. You’ll also notice that your linen sheets get softer after the first wash and beyond.
There are lots of reasons why linen sheets are the best, and why you should choose linen over other synthetic fabrics and even most forms of cotton. The finest and highest quality options come from Europe, including Belgian flax linen and French flax linen due to the optimal climate and nutrient-rich soil that produces strong flax plants. No matter what type you choose, linen is always a better option than most typical cotton and microfiber sheets. If you’re wondering what the benefits of choosing this natural material are, read on to learn more.
Some heavier fabrics tend to trap warm air and body heat, which can leave you overheated and possibly waking up in the middle of the night. But linen has natural breathability, allowing your body heat to escape under your sheets and blankets while you slumber. Always look at the bedding’s thread count for cotton or its grams per square inch for linen. A good rule of thumb to remember is the lower the number is, the lighter the bedding will be.
When it comes to linen sheets vs cotton, linen tends to have a looser weave than cotton, which means that it’s naturally more breathable and allows for more airflow. This prevents heat from getting trapped close to the body and causes you to feel much too hot when you’re sleeping. Ultimately, choosing to use the best linen bed sheets available helps to regulate your body temperature, keeping you comfortable during the summer and the winter, regardless of the temperature or weather.
Aside from being exceptionally breathable, the best linen bedding also does an excellent job of wicking moisture away from the body to keep you feeling cool, comfortable, and dry. Linen fabric can absorb up to 20 percent of its weight in moisture. That means if you sweat at night, linen sheet sets and blankets will absorb the excess and keep it off your skin, helping you to feel more comfortable during warm nights. Not only does linen’s moisture-wicking properties keep you nice and cool, but it also keeps you warm. When your skin is dry, it prevents you from getting chills if you happen to start sweating during the night.
Sheets and other linen bedding products are naturally hypoallergenic, which is especially helpful for those with allergies or sensitive skin. Most synthetic fabrics are full of harsh chemicals, dyes, and other toxins that can exacerbate allergies or cause skin irritation including symptoms like rashes and hives. You certainly don’t want these chemicals leeching into your skin or breathing them in while you sleep. Make sure you choose the best linen fitted sheet to provide a protective layer between yourself and your mattress. The best linen duvet cover will also protect your skin from any potentially harmful chemicals that could be found in your duvet insert or comforter. While there is no guarantee that certain people might experience a reaction even to linen bedding, it is typically much milder than you might experience with other options, like a traditional, non-organic cotton sheet or cotton blanket, for example.
Now that you know some of the basic benefits of linen bedding, it’s important to point out that this material is also environmentally friendly. Here are just some reasons why the best linen sheets in the world are better for the planet and the ecosystem.
So, who should consider trying out a new linen sheet set? Aside from their amazingly soft feel and luxurious aesthetic, certain people would likely prefer linen to most other options when it comes to bedding. Here’s how to choose bed linen sheets that suit your needs, and who should give them a try.
If you tend to get hot at night, then using European linen and other linen sheets is a smart move. Thanks to their breathability, these sheets will help your body temperature stay regulated all night, even when you start to feel like you’re overheating. You won’t toss and turn because you feel too hot with these sheets. Instead, you’ll remain cool and comfy regardless of how warm your body gets because this bedding regulates the temperature exchange between your skin and the air to help you remain perfectly comfortable throughout the night.
Some people suffer from night sweats, particularly those with certain health conditions or women going through menopause. Since linen is breathable and moisture-wicking, it pulls sweat away from your body to help you stay nice and dry. You’ll no longer wake up in a pool of sweat in the middle of the night. Not only will this help you feel cleaner, but you’ll also sleep much more soundly, too, and getting a good night’s sleep can do wonders for your physical and mental health.
If you or a family member are extremely sensitive to chemicals, then linen sheet sets and duvet covers are a wise choice. Because linen is a natural fabric, there are no unnecessary dyes, fire retardant chemicals, and other toxins added to the material that could make your allergies worse. Choosing this hypoallergenic material is a smart way to keep your allergy symptoms under control. You won’t have to worry about dealing with skin or respiratory irritation from your bedding any longer when you opt for luxury linen sheets.
Buying quality bedding is a smart investment in your health and your home. When you snag the best linen sheets, you’ll discover that this durable bedding can last for anywhere from five years to several decades with proper care. While most cotton sheets need to be replaced every year or two, linen is much more durable, so it lasts even longer. For the softest linen sheets that last the longest, machine wash them using the gentle cycle with like colors and a mild detergent in liquid form. You can also tumble dry your linen sheets. Make sure you use fabric softener specially formulated for linen or try wool dryer balls to help your beautiful linen sheet set last longer.
Before you buy new linen sheets, what is the highest quality linen fabric, and what are some other things to consider? Here are some tips to help you choose the absolute best luxury linen sheets possible.
Although buying linen means that you’re paying more than you would for other materials, the quality of workmanship means your new sheets will last for years. Look for flax linen sheets and a duvet cover with smooth, clean edges. Stitching should be sturdy and of high quality, too. Any colored linen bedding should be evenly applied with no obvious fading, splotches, or discoloration throughout. Choose linen bedding made by skilled craftspeople in family-run mills using traditional methods to ensure that quality of construction and workmanship is always top of mind.
French flax stone washed linen sheets are exceptionally soft with a high-end, luxurious look. The process of stone washing the fabric gives it an already lived-in look that creates a warm, inviting, and comforting space in your home. This bedding comes in gorgeous, earthy colors that suit practically any decor and a high thread count makes them smooth and soft while also adding durability.
What weight of linen is best for bedding? The weight of linen fabric used to make bedding is measured in grams per square meter or GSM. This weight determines the bedding’s breathability. Many linen sheets that weigh around 170 GSM are light, which means they’re a great option for people who sleep hot at night. A heavier weight up to approximately 190 GSM is ideal for those who live in a cooler climate or who tend to get cold at night. Be sure to check the linen weight to determine which one is right for you.
You don’t have to purchase plain old white bedding for your home. Linen comes in a wide assortment of beautiful colors and designs that add a pop of fresh color and style to your space. Garment washed linen has a luxe, relaxed look that instantly makes any bedroom look and feel inviting. This bedding also comes in several styles, including fitted sheets and a flat sheet to match for a complete set, as well as comfy, warm linen quilts to keep you cozy in any room of your home.
When it comes to finding the best linen bedding, it’s all about the small details. Look for finishing touches like high-quality button closures on duvet covers and double stitching on the seams and ends of a fitted sheet and top sheet. Whether it’s French or Belgian flax, the plants themselves should always be grown and harvested sustainably, and flax fibers should also be produced in a sustainable, eco-friendly way.
Finally, what is the best grade linen? Quality linen should receive specific accreditations like OEKO-TEX certified which confirms that your new bedding is entirely free of over 100 harsh, toxic chemicals that can be harmful to human health. You should also look for a linen sheet set, duvet cover, or quilt that has received the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. This requires that at least 95 percent of all the fibers of your linen bedding are certified organic. GOTS also ensures that certain substances are not used, including flame retardants, artificial dyes, dioxins, formaldehyde, and many others.
If you’re hunting for the best linen bedding, remember these tips to ensure that you choose the best possible products for yourself and your home. Choose linen that comes from natural, organic flax plants and that has the softest feel and the best weight to suit your needs. Thanks to its natural breathability, hypo-allergenic properties, and moisture-wicking composition, you’ll discover that choosing bedding made from linen yarns and fibers will quickly become your favorite option. At Or & Zon, we’re proud to offer luxe, high quality linen bedding to make your sleeping experience exceptional.
