Linen Sheet Sets – Why So Expensive?

Have you seen growth in the advertising of sheet sets made of linen fabric? Long regarded as luxurious, hardy, and a great option for hot climates, linen sheets are old-fashioned to many, after all, linen’s strength, durability, and softness have made it the fabric of choice since the pharaohs.

Conscious consumers will notice one striking thing about these sheets: They don’t come cheap. Linen’s hefty price tag is related to the fact that the production of linen is time consuming thanks to both the manufacturing process and the limited geographical area in which flax, the source of linen, will grow. Flax, a natural fibre, is grown and harvested in Western Europe, mostly in Belgium, where production and labour costs are high.

Flax plants take about three months to mature, then must be harvested from root to stem. After harvest, the fibres are loosened from the stalk through a process called ‘retting’. Once this happens, the actual process of separating the fibres from the straw and woody detritus, called ‘scutching’, can begin.

Linen fibres then go through one more method of sorting (called ‘hackling’), which separates long fibres from short fibres. Only then can weaving begin. Linen threads are also quite fragile and can break easily, making the weaving process especially time-consuming.

After weaving, most linen is dyed and stonewashed, the latter of which involves using large stones to roughen up the fabric, resulting in greater longevity and softness. A cheaper option is enzyme washing, which uses cellulase to decompose and soften fibres. Most top-quality linens are also Oeko-Tex certified, which means they’re free from chemicals or dyes, making linen good choice for people with allergies or sensitive skin.

While its cost and the laborious production process might lead you to believe that linen is a delicate fabric, linen is surprisingly durable and easy to care for at home. It’s naturally antibacterial and stain resistant, anti-static, and can absorb as much as 20 per cent of its own weight before it begins to feel damp - making it perfect for hot summer nights.

• Topics:

• My House My Home