Linen Is Great To Wear, But How About To Sleep On?
I’m going to help you answer the question “is linen good for a pillowcase?”.
Sleep is a big part of your life. You’ll spend 33% of your life just sleeping.
Since you spend so much time in your bed, it makes sense to invest in having the best sleeping environment possible.
Everyone usually thinks about the bed sheets, and the duvet covers. But you know what people tend to never talk about?
The pillows.
The very thing you put your head on isn’t spoken about as much. Your head is the most important part of your body.
So when sleeping (which again, will take up 33% of your life alone), it’s normal that you want to make sure the most important part of your body is taken care of.
Linen is great for this and is great for a pillowcase, but how?
Right now, we’ll talk about what’s important for your pillow and how linen fulfills those needs, and finally, we’ll settle on where to find the best linen.
How Linen Improves Your Sleep
100% Linen Chambray Oxford Pillowcase
Is linen good for a pillowcase when it comes to hot sleepers?
Yes. One thing linen can do that no other fabric can is base its own temperature off of what you feel.
I used to heat up like a candle when I was in bed. The last thing I wanted at night was trouble sleeping. I didn’t want to wake up the next day feeling tired and irritated, it would affect my mood for the entire day. The worst part was knowing that I’d have to do it all again that night and struggle to fall asleep.
When I switched to linen, one thing I noticed was how it adapted to my body temperature. Imagine your bed sheet giving you just the right temperature for you to feel relaxed. That’s what it felt like with linen.
Falling asleep just felt easier, I also wasn’t sweating as much. I also felt much better throughout the day and started to look forward to sleeping.
Is linen good for a pillowcase when it comes to sensitive skin?
Yes. Not only was I a hot sleeper, but I also have sensitive skin.
When I was a teenager I had to worry about sweating at night, because sweat would cause acne for me.
When I became an adult, it turned into worrying about sweating at night as it would cause my skin to heat up and feel irritated in the morning.
Your skin is the one thing that should always be taken care of. It can ruin your mood fast if it isn’t.
Since switching to linen, my skin doesn’t feel irritated anymore. The worry of anticipating the irritation became mentally draining for me. But that energy has now been put to more productive things in my life.
Is Linen Soft?
Yes. Linen is especially known for being soft. If you want soft fabrics for anything, look for the ones widely known for being soft in the long term.
Linen is woven to be tight in the beginning. But over time, as it’s washed, the fibers loosen, increasing the softness greatly, but also
This is the best of both worlds. Are there fabrics that are soft from the beginning and are known to be soft for their tenure? Of course! But what the creators of those fabrics don’t tell you, is that they don’t last long.
Even if people say they do, those people likely didn’t notice the quality decline. We’ll talk about how to find a good product soon.
Is Linen Hypoallergenic?
Yes and it’s another reason why people who love sleep, love linen.
The worst thing that can happen is finding out something that’s been a pillar in your life is causing you problems. It’s frustrating to find an item that fits you, only to realize that it covers your body in rashes.
But lines is made from flax fibers. These flax fibers not only prevent moisture buildup (which causes bacteria), but it’s natural properties include fighting off allergens like dust and mold. This helps those with allergies sleep peacefully.
Do Linen Pillowcases Improve Your Sleep?
Yes. Everything I just mentioned above wouldn’t have been said if the answer to this question wasn’t a yes. It doesn’t matter how many benefits a fabric has, if it can’t help you sleep better, then what’s the point?
Is linen good for a pillowcase? YES
As you can see from the previous sections, linen:
- Is soft
- Regulate your temperature in your sleep
- Hypoallergenic
- Great for sensitive skin
These qualities allow linen to help you have a much better sleep life. One that isn’t filled with sweat, acne or frustration.
Other Types of Materials
Cotton
Cotton is a fiber harvested from the cotton plant, known to grow in warm climates like the United States, India, and China. It’s one of the most common fabrics used.
Cotton pillowcases are breathable, and can be easy to wash. They can be woven in a variety of finishes, from crisp percale to smooth sateen
However, cotton will lose its smoothness over time, shrink if washed incorrectly, and retain more moisture than linen, leading to bacteria growth and odours if not cared for frequently.
Satin
Satin can be made from silk, polyester, or other materials. It’s defined it’s weave instead of the fabric like cotton and linen.
Its weaving methods are what gives satin a glossy glow.
Satin pillowcases are smooth and low-friction, helping reduce skin creasing overnight. They also have a sleek appearance that feels indulgent.
On the downside, satin (especially synthetic) can trap heat and doesn’t absorb moisture as well as natural fibers like cotton or linen. Some find it slippery or less breathable for year-round comfort. It also can be fragile which makes it hard to keep it as a long term item.
The Best Linen Pillowcase to Improve Your Sleep?
At the end of the day you want a pillowcase that will improve your sleep. Linen does that.
You now also know that compared to other fabrics, linen is the strongest blend when it comes to durability, versatility, benefits, and overall softness.
But know that you know this, where do you go to shop for linen pillowcases?
Two things to keep in mind
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Experience - If the company doesn’t have experience making and selling linen, don’t bother taking the risk there are companies out there with experience
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Actual Good Products - This part is covered in the experience section but it’s important to keep note of. If a business has a lot of experience, it means they’ve been in business for a while
With all this being said, Ferguson Irish Linen is the best choice for linen.
Fergusons is the most experienced linen brand worldwide, starting it’s operations in 1854. That’s over 170 years of experience. We have a variety of products like bed linens, table linens, kitchen linens, and bath and spa linens.
We are one of the last creators of the double damask linen, a rare type of table linen that isn’t even in production because of the resources and skills needed to create it.
Our pillow cases have been one of our best selling items in recent years, providing comfort to people in their sleep. Our linens are known to last years but also maintain their high quality.
FAQ
Why is it important to change your pillowcase?
Your pillowcase collects face oils, sweat, skincare residue, dead skin cells, dust, and even pollen while you sleep. Over time, that build-up can clog pores, cause odour, and transfer grime back onto your skin and hair. Swapping to a fresh pillowcase regularly keeps your skin cleaner and your bed feeling fresh.
How often should you buy linen pillowcases?
High-quality linen is built to last. With normal use and care, expect 3–5+ years of life (often longer). Many people keep 2–3 sets in rotation: one in use, one on deck, one in the wash. Replace when the fabric noticeably thins, loses shape, or stains no longer lift.
How long should I use my pillowcase before putting it in the wash?
A simple rule: every 1–2 weeks.
If you have acne-prone or very sensitive skin, wash weekly or every few nights. After illness, heavy workouts, or summer heat, wash more often.
How long should you use the same pillowcase?
Use it as long as it still looks, feels, and performs like new. For linen, that’s typically years, not months. Retire it when you see persistent discolouration, fraying seams, or the weave becomes thin and rough.
Are linen pillowcases bad for the skin?
No, it’s the opposite. Linen is breathable, moisture-wicking, naturally odour-resistant, and gentle once broken in. Pre-washed (enzymehave/stone-washed) linen starts soft and gets softer with every wash, helping reduce irritation from heat and humidity.
