|
Linen Facts
• Organic -- Linen is made from flax. Linen Fabric is a natural fiber that keeps you cooler in the warmer months and cozier in the cold months. One of the world's oldest fabrics, linen is woven from the fibers of the flax plant and is a completely natural resource – perhaps the most ecologically sound fabric of all.
• Eco-friendly -- Only the very best fibers are used by the Linen industry, no part of the flax plant is wasted. Flax seed (linseed) is used for the production of linseed oil and cattlefeed. Flax straw is used in everything from linoleum floor coverings to soap and paper (British bank notes are made from linen fibre); whilst flax bark is processed into chipboard. Indeed, few products are so efficiently used as flax.
Whereas mass produced cotton demands high levels of agrochemical treatment, flax has a short growing season and requires the bare minimum of fertilizers and pesticides. Linen requires 5 times less pesticides and fertilizers than cotton and 13 times less then potato. The production of linen fabric uses 5 to 20 times less water and energy than the production of cotton or other synthetic fabrics.
Linen fabrics are biodegradable and recyclable. To achieve pure white linen, the fabric is bleached using hydrogen peroxide as this is much safer for the environment than chlorine bleach.
• Durable --The fibers from this plant are even stronger than those of cotton, which is why linen can be and is handed down from generation to generation, and was used by the ancient Egyptians to mummify the pharaohs.
Linen is more expensive, but ultimately a very good investment in your bed. Linen is renowned for its spectacular durability and long life. The tensile strength of linen thread is twice as high as that of cotton and three times that of wool. Durability of the linen fiber and the high density of linen fabric give it at least twice the life of cotton, with a high resistance to tearing and stretching, thus linen always keeps its shape no matter how often it's laundered. With the minimum of proper care, the natural beauty of linen is easily maintained. Due to its robustness, it can withstand repeated launderings over a lifetime. Indeed, the more often it's washed, the softer and more luminous it becomes. For this reason, pure linen home textiles tend to become family heirlooms.
• Benefitial -- Ecologically pure natural linen fabric combines the softness of cotton with medical properties of flax.
Biological Properties of Flax -- Linen naturally suppresses live pathogenic micro flora, bacteria and fungi. Flax fabric is an excellent filter protecting against a chemically aggressive medium, noise and dust; Linen underwear possesses rare bacteriological properties. Resistant to fungus and bacteria, it is found to be an effective barrier to some diseases. Silica present in the flax fiber protects linen against rotting - the mummies of Egyptian Pharaohs preserved to the present day are wrapped in the finest linen cloth.
Hygroscopic Properties of flax -- Flax excellently absorbs superfluous moisture providing optimum heat exchange and enhanced comfort. Linen is highly hygroscopic as it is capable to rapidly absorb and yield moisture. It is a natural fiber which allows the skin to breathe and the air to circulate in the heat, as well as gently absorbing the body’s perspiration. Linen can absorb up to 20% of its own weight in moisture while still feeling dry to the touch. When linen fabrics are in contact with the skin, the nodes along the length of the fiber absorb perspiration, then swell and release the moisture to the outside air, thus creating a fabric self cooled by evaporation. It evaporates water as quickly as the pond surface. That explains why linen cloth always feels fresh and cool. As a result linen is a popular choice for bedding particularly in hot climates.
Heat conductivity properties of flax -- Heat conductivity of linen is 5 times as high as that of wool and 19 times as that of silk. In hot weather those dressed in linen clothes are found to show the skin temperature 3°-4°C below that of their silk or cotton-wearing friends. According to some studies, a person wearing linen clothes perspires 1.5 times less than when dressed in cotton clothes and twice less than when dressed in viscose clothes. Meanwhile in cold weather linen is an ideal warmth-keeper. 100% Pure Fine Linen is recognized as being the most cool and comfortable fabric for clothing in warm and hot weather.
Health Side-Benefits of Flax --The Flax cell is highly compatible with the human cell thereby producing benevolent effects on the human organism.
• The use of linen linen does not cause any allergic reactions and eliminates many kinds of irritations on the skin. Linen is actually helpful in treating a number of allergic disorders. According to medical studies conducted in Japan, bed-ridden patients do not develop bedsores where linen bed sheets are used. Wearing linen clothes helps to get rid of some skin diseases - from common rash to chronic eczemas.
• Linen favorably influences your cardio-vascular, nervous and muscular systems. Linen has massaging properties owing to the microscopic breaks which the fabric possesses. It has a light massaging effect, favorably stimulating blood-flow and promoting relaxation. Linen provides you with every chance of having a deep and healthy sleep, with a cool feeling in the summer and warmth in the winter.
• Linen reduces gamma radiation nearly by half and protects the human organism against solar radiation. Flax fiber from contaminated soils appears not to exhibit even small traces of radiation.
• Linen is effective in dealing with inflammatory conditions, reducing fever and regulating air ventilation, and is also helpful in the treatment of some neurological ailments. For those with delicate skin susceptible to irritation, or allergies to man-made fibers, then 100% natural fiber clothing is always recommended. The same applies to those who suffer from skin inflammation or “prickly heat” in warm weather.
Anti-static Properties of flax -- Linen is virtually lint free, non-static, non-allergenic, naturally insect-repellent and gives UV protection. Linen cloth does not accumulate static electricity - even a small blend of flax fibers (up to 10%) to a cloth is enough to eliminate the static electricity effect. It is soft, suitable & comfortable to wear, protecting the wearer from ultraviolet resend static electricity discharges. Linen reduces static electricity creating a microclimate of enhanced comfort.
|
|