Linen and cotton fabrics are made from different types of fibers. Linen is created using the fiber flax, a long, thin stalk that produces yarns and cloths with natural strength and cool temperature properties.
Cotton is created using the fiber cotton, a short-staple fiber that produces yarns and cloths with good absorbency, wrinkle resistance, clingy drape or crisp look, and good insulating properties.
In this article, we will see the distinct difference between the two leading bedding materials.
What are Linen Sheets?
Linen is a thin fabric made from the fiber of the flax plant. It's been used for textiles since ancient times. The Chinese and Japanese have used linen fabrics since prehistoric times. The Greeks and Romans also used linen fabrics in their clothing, curtains, and bedding.
What are the Types of Linen Fabric?
In addition to white or raw linen, many different types of linen fabric can be produced in different shades and colors to meet your needs. Below are some types of Linen fabric:
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Damask linen
- Also known as velvet, this type of linen fabric is a very soft and light fabric that's great for clothing and other fabrics. It comes in many colors and the colors can be changed based on the pattern, or the product can be made with plain color.
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Plain-woven linen
- this plain-woven linen fabric is very similar to damask, but it has a plain, nonpatterned finish
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Loosely-woven linen
- made by distilling the natural linseed oil and then weaving the fabric, this fabric is very flexible and comfortable to use. Many different colors and patterns can be produced with this type of linen fabric
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Sheeting linen
- this type of linen fabric has similar qualities to loose-woven, but it's made much coarser. This type of linen is good for bedding and furniture
Is it easy to take care of linen beddings?
Taking care of your linens is not difficult. However, you should always be careful while tossing them in the dryer. You also have to remember that they are less likely than cotton beddings to be completely wrinkle-free after a trip through a dryer. But even though you wash them frequently, your linens may not dingy or get loose stitches due to their durability.
How many times should you wash linen beddings?
It is suggested that you do not wash your bedding more than once a week. Usually, with one or two washes per week, your linens will remain clean and fresh without any issues. However, if you feel that they have become too grimy and smelly after a few days of use, you can wash them again to restore their original appearance and smell before using them.
What are Cotton Sheets?
Cotton is a mid-weight fabric made from the fiber of the cotton plant. The cotton plant has a stronger fiber than most other plants used to create textiles because it can be grown in more regions of the world and withstands many different climate conditions.
Cotton has been used to create textiles since prehistoric times, with the earliest specimens dating back to 3500 B.C. in Northern India and 2800 B.C. in Egypt. The Chinese and Japanese picked up on cotton cultivation around 2500 B.C., and by 1500 B.C., cotton fabrics were common throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East as well as Asia
Pros and Cons of Linen Sheets
Pros:
- Durability- for a naturally thin cotton sheet, linen sheets are softer, more comfortable, and much more durable than cotton. Linen's natural build is also stronger and better for resisting wrinkles.
- Pleasant, clean look- because it's less absorbent than cotton, linen sheets will not retain moisture, giving your bedding a tighter and dustier look. Unlike cotton, the fibers in linen are not sticky or prone to collecting fleas or dirt.
- Eco-Friendly - because linen is a natural fiber, it's free of chemical pesticides and growth retardants.
- Breathable - linen sheets are usually made with a cotton backing and feel soft against the skin. They are also more breathable than cotton sheets, allowing your skin to breathe while sleeping.
Cons:
- Higher Upfront Cost - a good Linen sheet will cost you around double the price of a cotton sheet.
- Wrinkle Easy - due to its cotton backing, linen sheets are prone to wrinkles. If you buy 100% linen sheets, the wrinkles will be more noticeable.
- Dense - linen's fibers are finer and stiffer than cotton, so they will not have the same softness or feel like cotton. If you want a very soft and smooth feel to your sheets, use a 100% cotton sheet.
Pros and Cons of Cotton Sheets
Pros:
- Different Weaves - cotton sheets can be made in many different types of cloth.
- Flexibility - cotton sheets are much more flexible than linen sheets. Linen's fiber is stiffer and its threads are thicker, so it will be less flexible than cotton.
- Durable - like linen, cotton is also a natural fiber that's very resilient. You can find some cotton sheets that will last for many years without the need to be replaced.
- Comfortable - due to its moisture-wicking properties, many people feel that cotton sheets are more comfortable than other types of fabrics.
- Ecological - unlike many other materials, cotton is a natural and environmentally friendly fabric made from materials grown on thousands of acres across the world. It also doesn't pollute the water when it's processed into the fabric as other synthetic materials do.
Cons:
- Shrinkage - cotton is prone to shrinking, especially at the seams and hems. If you have a cotton-filled mattress, cotton sheets are the best choice because they're much thicker than linen sheets and it will take a long time for them to shrink.
- Price - while linen sheets are more expensive than cotton, they still cost less than 100% cotton sheets and bedding sets.
- Easily Wrinkled - cotton sheets are prone to more wrinkles than linen sheets. If you want a crisp and wrinkle-free look, use cotton sheets instead of linen.
Linen vs Cotton Sheets - Which one to Choose?
For many years, cotton was the most popular material used in bedding. Cotton is durable and has excellent heat retention properties that make it comfortable to sleep on. Linen sheets are made from the fiber of the flax plant and have similar characteristics to cotton but provide a gentler, more detailed feel against the skin.
If you like softness or if you're worried about being allergic to chemicals in other types of fabrics, choose linen. If you need a durable or breathable bedding material, choose cotton sheets instead. Below are our favorite linen sheets and cotton sheets in different price ranges.
Linen vs Cotton Sheets - Which one is expensive?
So, which one is expensive? You may ask. The answer is linen sheets are much more expensive than cotton sheets. The reason is either due to the production of the fabric or because people are going to choose the higher quality when they buy a bedding set. It's said that if you want to get good quality but the still cheap product, you're better off buying 100% linen or cotton instead of a mix of both. Linen vs Cotton Sheets - Which one is soft?
As a natural fabric, cotton feels much softer than linen. This is also the reason why most people prefer to buy a lightweight cotton bedding set from their favorite brands like Brooklinen and endlessbay. If you want an expensive bedding set that's not too expensive, 100% linen sheets are a good choice. As an eco-friendly product, the price of 100% linen sheets is much lower than the materials used in high-end cotton sheets.
Linen vs Cotton Sheets - Which one is breathable?
Another important factor to consider when buying bedding is the breathability of the material. Breathability refers to how well the fabric can allow moisture and heat to escape from the bed to keep your body dry and cool. If your skin sweats a lot or if you have allergies, look for a high-quality cotton sheet set for your best choice.
In the same way that cotton sheets have more wrinkles than linen sheets, linen is more breathable than cotton. Furthermore, 99% of cotton sheets in the market have chemical additives that can harm the skin and you need to be very careful when choosing bedding.
Linen vs Cotton Sheets - Do you know about the quality?
When you buy a bedding set, quality is one of the most important factors to consider. Simply because at some point, these materials will end up covering your body. Because of this, it is important to buy high-quality sheets no matter which type you're going to choose. Below you can find more information on how good each type of fabric is when compared to other fabrics and their price range, so you can choose what's the best for your money.
Linen vs Cotton Sheets - Which one is better for sensitive skin?
Because they are both made of the same fabric, choosing between the two relies on your preference and how sensitive your skin is. If you like a soft feel or if you're allergic to chemicals, look for 100% cotton sheets. 100% cotton sheets are softer than linen sheets. If you prefer a softer fabric but not necessarily cotton, a blend of both might be your best option.
Where to find better bedding of both materials?
endlessbay is a reputed provider of luxury. Since 2016, the company has provided high-quality and premium textiles for thousands of customers in the airlines, hotels, and accommodation industries. They cater to the needs of a chic, elegant, and classy atmosphere to offer people a quality sleep and lounging experience.
endlessbay linen beddings are carefully designed and formulated to achieve precise hypoallergenic and comfortable linens for beddings, seat covers, pillowcases, etc.
endlessbay offers the best range of 100% linen natural bedding sets to the customers. They cater to the needs of people across different cities and countries for their different needs and at a competitive price.
endlessbay offers the best endlessbay linen bedding available in the market. They offer a wide range of products to cater to the needs of people living in different cities and countries across the world.
There are various types of natural fabrics used in bedding such as cotton, linen, sateen, silk, and polyester. Linen is a very popular material used in beddings while cotton is also considered a very versatile fabric as it goes well with almost every kind of fabric
Linen is generally made from flax plant fibers that are grown on thousands of acres across the world and processed into sheets by spinning these fibers into thread.