When we discuss what bed sheet is the best, the first one crossed your mind must be cotton sheets, then linen sheets. But do you know how long it will takes for linen becoming bed sheets? Knowing this, you will know why linen sheets are much expensive than others.
Cultivation of flax
1. Flax is generally sown in April. It is suitable for rainy and sunny climates, so the maritime climate is the most suitable for it. This is why the best flax is produced in Normandy.
2. Flax is a single-year herbaceous plant. It is used for fine fiber. The stem diameter is less than 2 mm, and the stem length can be more than 1 meter. To stay alive, it needs to absorb and transport large amounts of water during the growth period. Flax fiber occupies 20% of the cortex of the hemp stem and plays an important role in transporting water. Because flax is so thin and long, it has a huge surface area, so it needs a lot of water. Experimental data shows that 470 kilograms of water is required for every kilogram of flax plant grown, and this is within a short growth period of 30-40 days. In order to survive, flax fiber has the ability to absorb and transport water several times greater than other fibers.
3. Flax is growing in slightly acidic soil and fertile land without weeds. The soil structure must be loose and not too sticky, and sunlight and rain must be sufficient.
A brief history of the development of flax fiber
Flax is the earliest natural cellulose fiber discovered and utilized by humans. The development of flax fiber is almost as famous as human civilization. The development of flax fiber can be traced back to 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. According to modern archaeological discoveries, the starting point of the development of flax fiber came from ancient Egypt, and the Nile Valley was the original place of flax cultivation. At that time, the level of weaving was also very high. The Pharaohs used nice flax fabric. In the Neolithic Age, the ancient Egyptians introduced flax to countries along the Mediterranean Sea. After the Middle Ages, flax spread from Switzerland to France, Britain, Belgium, and other countries. By the beginning of the 10th century, flax began to circulate as a commodity on the market.
With the emergence of new varieties, new technologies, new spinning methods, new weaving methods, and new finishing techniques, the development momentum of the flax industry is getting better and better. Linen has become a fashion symbol. Entering the 21st century, with the awakening of "ecological awareness", consumers have a desire to "advocate nature" and "return to simplicity" towards textiles. As a result, the linen industry as a natural fiber has flourished.
Flax fibers range map
1. The world's linen is distributed in Europe, Asia, North America, and northern Africa, mostly concentrated between 40-65° north latitude, which belongs to the temperate and cold temperate zones. The best planting area for linen is 49-53° north latitude.
2. Currently, more than 20 countries in the world grow flax, with an annual planting area of about 500,000 hectares. The main cultivation countries include China, Russia, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, etc.
3. When it comes to linen production and scientific research levels, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries are in the leading position in the world. That's why Shilucheng linen sheets are made of French linen.
Linen spinning situation
The spinning of linen is wet spinning, and the blending is modified into cotton spinning equipment. (Due to the fiber characteristics), its back-end equipment is currently the most advanced in the world. However, in the front-end spinning process, due to the nature of the fiber itself, the front-end spinning equipment The work and environment are quite harsh (the processes such as flax beating, combing, yarn boiling, and spinning are all in harsh environments)
Note: Evaluation of the quality of yarn: yarn thickness, yarn strength, uniformity of bars, thick spots, lint, whiteness, and gloss.
Linen loom conditions
Due to the characteristics of linen itself, the choice of looms also has great limitations. Generally, rapier looms (domestic small rapiers, large rapier machines, Italian rapiers) only use air jets for some blends.
Note: Evaluation of weaving defects in linen gray fabrics: top twist, broken defects, rungs, double weft, band weft, oil warp and oil weft, etc.
Dyeing and finishing of linen
Pre-treatment: cloth feathers, whiteness (whether hemp, lignin, etc. are removed cleanly), strength, hair effect, and gloss. (The core process of pre-treatment of flax fiber is chlorine bleaching. Chlorine bleaching can remove the bark, lignin, etc. in flax fiber.)
Dyeing: When operating, pay attention to the middle edge, front and back, and color difference (cloth surface consistency) of the cloth to ensure the color-fastness of the fabric.
Post-finishing: Due to the properties of the fiber, linen fabrics are easy to wrinkle and feel stiff, so post-finishing is very important; the actual defects of linen are improved through resin, air washing/enzyme washing, etc.
How to judge the quality of linen
1. Look: gloss (diffuse reflection), smooth cloth surface (grains, thick spots, and bars).
2. Touch: soft to the touch, non-itchy, and with a certain degree of elasticity.
3. Check physical and chemical indicators.
Advantages of linen sheets
① Breathable and dry. Because the heat dissipation performance of linen is 5 times that of wool and 19 times that of silk, in hot weather conditions, sleeping on linen sheets can make the skin surface temperature 3-4 degrees lower than sleeping on silk and cotton sheets. Linen can absorb 20% of its own weight in moisture, and at the same time, it can quickly release the absorbed moisture, keeping you dry no matter how much you sweat.
② Moisture wicking. Cotton and linen clothing help maintain the body's electrolyte balance. Research shows that linen clothing can reduce the amount of perspiration produced by the human body by 1.5 times compared to wearing cotton clothing.
③ Radiation protection. Modern people's lives are inseparable from computers and mobile phones. Radiation pollution is an inevitable problem for modern people. Japanese research shows that adding 20% linen to clothing fabrics can prevent 80% of radiation. Cotton and linen are especially suitable for white-collar workers, female friends who are preparing to have children, three months before pregnancy, and male friends who have not given birth.
④ Antistatic. Blended fabrics containing only 10% flax are enough to provide anti-static effects. Cotton and linen can effectively reduce restlessness, headache, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing caused by static electricity.
⑤ Inhibit bacteria. Because linen has a good inhibitory effect on bacteria and fungi, wearing cotton and linen for a long time can effectively prevent some diseases. According to research by Japanese researchers, linen sheets can prevent bedsores in long-term bedridden patients, and linen clothing can help prevent and treat certain skin conditions, such as common rashes and chronic eczema.
⑥ Hypoallergenic. For people with skin allergies, linen sheets are undoubtedly good news, because linen fabrics not only do not cause allergic reactions but help treat some allergic diseases. Linen can reduce inflammation and prevent fever.
FAQ
Q: How often should you wash linen sheets?
Like any sheets - once a week as a standard. More often if you need to ie it’s very hot, someone is unwell, etc.
It doesn’t matter what the bedding is made of. Bottom sheets and pillow cases (more so than a top sheet or duvet cover) are going to get sweat, cosmetics, moisturizers, skin oils, skin cells, drool, dirt from feet, and other ick just from lying on them and doing the things people do in their beds.
Q: Are linen sheets scratchy?
Actually, it depends on the quality of your linen sheets. If it is well processed, then you won’t feel itchy. Linen is one of the hypoallergenic fabrics. Shilucehng linen sheets are skin friendly and do not cause reactions.
Q: What is the difference between linen and cotton?
Linen and cotton come from two different plants.
With linen, each individual fibre is very long, as long as the stem of the plant. This gives linen thread its exceptionally smooth look and gives linen cloth its special sheen. Linen is called a long-staple fibre.
With cotton, each individual fibre is much shorter than linen. The best cottons are considered to be the ones with the longest fibers. The variety of cotton called Egyptian cotton and the variety called American Pima Cotton have the longest fibers.
Q: Are linen sheets good for hot sleepers?
Yes, as linen is known to be such a cool and breathable fabric. It can quickly release the absorbed sweats, keeping you dry.
Q: When washing white linen sheets, should I pour some bleach into the washer each time?
No. Bleach damage is the fibers in the cloth. It’s better to wash them separately with nothing else (except the whites )with warm water and a bit of extra detergent. Use the extra rinse cycle for all your white laundry.