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Today, we don’t think twice about using linen for some of our home decor and accommodation needs. But a closer look at this fabric uncovers some surprising details. Read on!
Linen fabric was once a very popular textile in ancient times such that it was used to wrap the bodies of mummies in Egypt. It was also used as a currency and though many people don’t know about this fabric, it now ever-popular for making clothing, tablecloths, curtains, ropes, rugs, and more. It is also blended with cotton to make dollar bills. The list of materials that has linen as its primary ingredient is endless. This material is soft, cool, and highly versatile, and is also a popular yet durable fabric.
What is Linen and How is it Made?
Linen is a lightweight and strong fabric derived from the flax plant. Linen is related to “line” because this fabric is woven in a straight line. It has been around for centuries right from ancient Egypt where it was used to wrap mummies and currently, it has a reputation for producing luxurious and comfortable clothing.
History of Linen
Besides knowing the linen’s value, it will be helpful if you understand the story behind it. During the early Mediterranean civilization, linen was widely used in Europe in the medieval ages. At the time, the weavers used to make fabric and become popular during the advent of cotton fabrics in the 1330s.
Its popularity soared until the 18th century when the spinning machines were introduced. But they were a preserve of the rich since the laborious process involved in producing the yarn made it expensive and was therefore viewed as a luxurious fabric.
Can Linen Be Dyed?
When compared to linen, other natural fibers such as silk and cotton are more compatible with dye. Therefore, if you want to dye your linen, experiment with the different styles and colors until you find your perfect match. Also, note how the particular linen reacts to dye by applying a little dye and noticing how it changes.
Dyeing is the best way of making your linens appear newer and you can also dye your clothing and even table clothing. So, if you are interested in dyeing your linen then you will love to hear that it’s easier especially when you have the best dyeing product.
What is the Best Linen?
Flax plants used to create pure linen are grown in different countries, such as France, Italy, and Belgium. It is known that these countries produce the highest quality linen as they have the best soil and climates.
But other times, flax is grown in these top three countries but exported to China and India. These manufacturing companies may then use the term “Belgian linen” as the selling point for their fabric, but it may not be 100% pure. Therefore, the linen grown in European countries is the best.
What Makes Linen Best for Summer
It’s almost impossible to discuss summer attire and fabrics while leaving out linen. Linen is warm-weather clothing, and as a fabric, it has some characteristics that endear it to men and women during this season. First, it has an inherently loose weave that allows the flow of more air through your clothing. They also boast of a better structure than cotton and wool and won’t drape or cling to your skin much.
Also, it is conductive and absorbent and will therefore remove sweat off your skin faster while conducting moisture into the air to keep you dry and cool. And unlike cotton that becomes wet faster when it comes into contact with moisture, linen absorbs it faster and will take longer before you notice it. Its high conduction rat also makes it cool to touch. It’s just like metal when touched and this feature helps it to remove heat from your body and transfer it to the fabric.
Storage of Linen
Regardless of what you are using your linens for, it’s essential to maintain good care of them. Linen fabric can be a tablecloth or napkin and will therefore encounter stains and spills from drinks, oil, and food. Luckily, it is easy to clean. For instance, you can easily take off berries and red wine stains using regular soap or colorfast bleach. But if your linen is white, then use bleach.
Anyone cleaning a tablecloth should use hot water so as to clean and disinfect the tablecloths at the same time. Cleaning and proper maintenance of your linen ensure that it lasts for many years and since home décor is an endless venture, you will want the next generation to enjoy using your beautiful linens. They are dependable and work well which makes them highly dependable.
Besides linen napkins are effective in cleaning table spills and since spills do not damage this material, it’s the best material for cleaning purposes.
Linen Tablecloths
You can check high-quality linen tablecloths online. Linen has remained popular in history for covering the table. Unlike other fabrics like cotton, it’s highly durable and will absorb more water with ease. Also, it doesn’t break easily regardless of the extent of the spilling which makes it handy for making. Check online shop linen tablecloths.
What Makes Linen Unattractive to Some?
Unlike other fabrics, linen is made from a very fibrous plant that is more inelastic and rigid than cotton and wool. Therefore, if it’s folded, it will crease and rarely come to its original shape. Other times, it can break or permanently wrinkle. But men love its “rumpledness” feature, and they rarely avoid it.
Also, since it’s harder to make than other fabrics, they are often expensive than cotton and wool. This is why you will often find linen-cotton blends rather than pure linen in your clothing store.
The Takeaway
Linen is one of the best fabrics in the market, but it’s not ideal for everyone. It comes with a grainy feel that can irritate some skins and can also wrinkly easily and fail to return to their original shape. But it remains the best fabric material based on its quality level and stylish designs. It also lasts for years after purchase, provided you maintain it well. If you don’t mind ordering from a store, you will go well with linen from Magiclinen.com.
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