This is an overlooked topic. When we eat, we use a napkin to wipe our face, hands, or somewhere on our body. But what makes a good napkin?
To answer this, we also need to talk about the fabric, how it should perform, and how long napkins should last. All of these questions will help us answer what makes a good napkin.
What Makes a Good Napkin?
Durability and Soft To The Touch
What makes a good napkin is that it does more than just sit on a table. It sets the tone for the entire dining experience.
A proper napkin should be
- Absorbent enough to catch spills
- Soft enough to feel comfortable against the skin
- Durable enough to withstand repeated use.
It should also complement the table setting, adding an understated elegance without distracting from the meal itself.
Linen napkins excel in this category. Unlike synthetic or paper alternatives, they don’t just look elegant, they also perform. They drape beautifully, fold neatly, and instantly make even an ordinary dinner feel special.
What Are High-Quality Napkins Made Of?
Always From Natural Fibre That's Absorbent And Resistant To Wear And Tear
High-quality napkins are always made from natural fibres, with linen being the gold standard.
Linen is woven from the flax plant, which has long, strong fibres that create a napkin that is both highly absorbent and naturally resistant to wear and tear. Unlike cotton, linen’s tightly woven structure gives it a smooth, crisp finish that feels luxurious to the touch.
Linen napkins are soft and beautiful to use. It's why they're the choice for fine dining establishments and for those who love their homes.
What’s Better: Linen or Cotton Napkins?
Linen Has Consistently Outdone Cotton In Terms Of Performance And Appeal
Cotton napkins are common, accessible, and inexpensive. They do the job, but they don’t elevate the experience.
Cotton fibres
- are shorter and weaker
- Tend to lose their shape faster
- Pills more often
- Wear out sooner than you'd like
Linen fibres, on the other hand
- Resist stains more effectively
- Absorb without feeling soggy
- Doesn't pill
- Keep their crisp look far longer than cotton.
Plus, linen carries a heritage, filled with history, craftsmanship, and association with refined dining. If cotton is functional, linen is aspirational, and when it comes to elevating the dining table, aspiration always wins.
Is It Better To Use Paper or Cloth Napkins?
Cloth Napkins Save You A Headache Since They're Woven To Last Longer
Paper napkins might feel convenient, but they’re wasteful, flimsy, and often don’t elevate a meal in any meaningful way. For casual snacks, maybe it's fine. But when you’re sitting down for a proper meal with family or guests, paper just doesn’t belong.
Cloth napkins, especially linen, are an entirely different experience. They carry weight, absorbency, and an elegance that paper can’t replicate. They’re designed to last, and also bring texture and style to the table, signalling that this meal is worth slowing down for and enjoying.
Among cloth options, linen stands out as the best. Cotton napkins may work for everyday use, but they wrinkle faster, lose their crispness, and can fade over time. Linen, by contrast, grows softer, stronger, and more beautiful.
When you choose linen napkins, you’re choosing tradition, sustainability, and timeless style.
Do Linen Napkins Wrinkle?
Yes, But That's Why People Who Love Dining Love Linen
Yes, linen napkins do wrinkle because they’re made from a natural fibre. But in fine dining, those gentle creases are seen as a mark of authenticity and quality.
A perfectly stiff, overly pressed napkin feels sterile, while linen’s relaxed elegance signals that your table is dressed with a fabric that breathes, drapes, and has character.
Many people worry wrinkles mean messiness, but with linen, it’s the opposite. The slight texture is part of its charm and sets it apart from cotton or polyester blends that often look flat.
If you prefer a sharper look, you can easily iron linen when it’s slightly damp, and it will hold that crispness beautifully. Linen gives you an option: embrace the effortless, lived-in look or present a more formal, pressed style.
So while cotton may appear smoother at first glance, it also loses its shape and softness over time.
Linen’s wrinkles, on the other hand, add to its personality and prove its authenticity. It's a natural refinement that no synthetic or paper napkin can imitate.
How Long Do Linen Napkins Last?
This is where linen truly shines.
High-quality linen napkins can last years, yes, years (when cared for properly).
Unlike paper napkins, which are gone after a single use, or cotton, which can fray and thin after repeated washing, linen improves with age. The fibres grow softer and more supple with each wash while maintaining it's strength.
Durability has always been part of linen’s reputation. Historically, linen tablecloths and napkins were passed down as heirlooms, surviving generations of use while still retaining their beauty.
Linen’s natural fibres are among the strongest in the textile world, surpassing cotton in resilience.
At Ferguson, we’ve been producing linen for over 170 years, and many of our clients still own pieces they bought decades ago. That’s the true mark of quality. Linen napkins are not only timeless in look, but timeless in life span.
Come check out our napkins and see which one you like
