How To Know If You Have High Quality Linen

No one likes mistakes - especially when it involves your home. No one wants to replace items that shouldn’t be replaced often. That’s why customers love linen so much. It was built to be irreplaceable. But you need to be sure you have high quality linen. That’s the linen that can last a lifetime. 

Signs You’ve Purchased High Quality Linen

1. Made From 100% Flax Linen

Before this wasn’t a problem. You knew every piece of linen was made from 100% flax linen. However as time passed and technology advanced, it was easier to make linen through other fibers by finding loopholes.

The problem is that it doesn’t serve what you actually want, a piece of high quality linen.

There are differences such as the way linen sits or feels that will feel different in the worst way compared to authentic flax linen. Low quality linen will look cheaper everytime. 

2. Weight and Weave 

When you buy high quality linen, you’ll notice that it has a tight even weave, with no lose threads or thin patches. It isn’t flimsy, or moving all over the place. It’s firm but feels elegant at the same time. 

This matters as the weave of the linen determines how long it lasts, since high quality linen is tightly woven, it lets it last longer while maintaining its quality. It’s tightly woven structure gives it the natural look that homeowners who love interior design adore. It also allows for that softness I spoke about earlier. 

3. Soft, And Only Gets Softer Over Time 

What makes linen special is its ability to get better over time whereas other materials get worse. High quality linen starts with a crisp texture, but gets softer and more aesthetic with every wash. This is because the fibers relax over time (in a good way). It’s why people love using linen for their bed sheets. It’s like sleeping on a marshmallow. 

Low quality linen cannot replicate the same thing. When homeowners use low quality linen, it’s heartbreaking as they don’t feel the same feeling that high quality linen gives because of the way it was made. 

Irish Linen Bed Sheets

4. Long Staple Fibres 

As mentioned before, high quality linen is made from the flax plant. The flax plant contains long staple fibres which is used to make linen. Long staple fibres are more easily spun into strong yarn. This is a pillar in luxury linen production. 

For anyone buying high quality linen, make sure the linen is not made with short fibres. Linen made from short fibres are likely to tear and shredding and pilling occur more. This takes away from the luxury but natural look high quality linen gives. 

But you can avoid buying low quality linen when you follow our fifth sign for high quality linen. 

5. Buying From Linen-Specialist Regions

When buying high quality linen. It’s always best to buy from regions that have a big focus on linen. This means buying from brands that produce French, Belgian, or Irish linen (Ireland is specifically known for its linen culture).

Linen specialist regions have an advantage for its climate and soil. Their conditions allow for flax plants that have stronger and higher quality fibers. 

The one thing to look out for is to see whether the linen was solely made in that region. You might have someone claim the linen is made from Ireland, but realistically there’s more to it. Parts of the linen were gathered from elsewhere. The linen was assembled in Ireland. Not being produced and created in one region makes a big difference.

High quality linen is gathered and assembled all in one region. Brands such as Ferguson Irish Linen have been assembling and creating Irish linen in Northern Ireland for the past 170 years. Luxury goods that are produced and assembled in one location always have the better performance since more care is put in. 

Irish Linen Blankets

How Long Does Linen Last?

When people buy items for their home such as a tablecloth, at most, it remains in good conditions for a couple years. The best part about Linen? Linen can last you decades and still be how it was when you first bought it. 

Since it's linen, it might be better than when you first bought it.

Linen has been perfected over 30,000 years. Being mass produced by Egyptians, to then having it introduced to the Irish who perfected it, to now becoming a world wide love. 

How Can Linen Last That Long?

Because of the fibers that linen is made from, it is known to be exceptionally strong. Before the world discovered it was great for homeowners, it was used for other cases like rope. It was also found in early Swiss settlements to be used as a net. 

The flax plant contains fibres that are naturally long and dense. The way these fibres are bundled tightly together, allows linen to resist stretching. 

What Affects Linen?

1. Was It Blended?

If the linen was blended with other synthetics or cotton, the longevity of the fabric will be much shorter than authentic linen. Blending allowed brands to charge lower prices since some people are okay with inauthentic linen.

But you and I both know that inauthentic linen only makes those homeowners wish they had bought authentic linen instead. 

You want to get authentic linen because the way it’s woven is important. As said before, high quality linen is tightly woven. A piece of linen that was blended won’t be. It will tear easily. 

2. Harvesting method 

When the flax fibers are being taken to produce linen, the way they’re harvested play a role in how the quality will come about. There are two main methods 

Pulled Flax (Traditional Method): The entire plant is pulled by hand or machine. This ensures the fibres from the plant are pulled safely and remain strong.

Cut Flax: Cut part of plant from the ground. This means a portion of the flax fibres are left in the ground. 

You want to go with linen that used the pulled flax method. Their fibres will be stronger and will make the fabric smoother since their fibres are longer. The more attention to detail the creators give, the better it will be for you. 

3. The Finishing Process

After a piece of linen is woven, to soften the fabric, it goes through a finishing process.

There are 4 popular ways to do this. Each way can affect the quality of the linen 

Stonewashing: Stones or enzymes are used to soften the linen and give it a natural lived in feel
Enzyme Washing: Very similar to stonewashing but it’s more gentle. Enzyme washing doesn’t include as much abrasion so it makes the linen softer
Chemical Finish: This is when synthesis softeners or coaters are used to finish the linen. Although this makes the linen soft faster, the linen longevity decrease significantly 
Bleaching/Dyeing: This is done if one wants the linen to be a different colour than the usual colours linen comes in. Aggressive dyeing or bleaching weaken the fibres fast 

It’s important to go with high quality linen that used a stonewashing or enzyme washing finish.

It’s also why it’s important to go with linen from linen specialist regions where it’s also produced and assembled in that same region. They always go with these finishing processes

How to Know if Your Linen is Aging Well

Even after you buy your linen, it’s important to know if the aging process is normal and that the linen wasn’t tampered with. Here’s quick checklist

• No Pilling or Shedding: Long fibres (which authentic linen brands like Ferguson use) prevent this from happening. Watch out for small balls forming on the linen.
• Improved Feel Against Skin: Especially for bed linen or pillow cases, the linen will feel more breathable and softer with every wash. This is especially important for sleepers with sensitive skin. 
• Natural Wrinkles: Not permanent: high quality linen will wrinkle naturally but the wrinkle should look relaxed, not sharp and distorted. 
• The Fabric Feels Strong: Even if you’ve had the linen for a while, it should still feel durable and well structured. It shouldn’t be tearing or thinning either. If it isn’t, you’ve got yourself some high quality linen.