It seems that linen bedlinen is all the rage at the moment – not least because of its relaxed non-iron look but also because both high street and high end seem to be awash with duvet covers and sheets in gorgeous soft shades of pink, grey and blue. A few weeks ago, when my house was being photographed for Essential Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedrooms magazine, I asked Soak & Sleep to lend me a set of linen to dress the bed for the shots.
Our usual bedlinen is white cotton and that just won’t work in photographs as it looks like a white-out in the of the picture so you need some stronger colours if the image is going to work. When we were talking about colours I thought it would be good to find out a little more about the benefits of linen and how to look after it.
Sarah Smith, the company’s head of buying, said their linen is made from 100 per cent French flax. The reason it’s more expensive is that flax is tricky to grow and hard to handle during the weaving process so it requires more expertise than cotton.
THE BENEFITS OF LINEN
It’s really strong – two or three times strong than cotton so it will last for years and years. It’s lint-free so it’s really smooth and won’t bobble like some other fabrics. Soak & Sleep’s linen (and that of other companies) is pre-washed and pre-shrunk so it will keep its shape and colour through lots of washes. It actually looks better when it hasn’t been ironed (although who irons bedlinen? Yes, I know you do Susan – my mother-in-law- but you are the only person I have met apart from my Grandmother to do so. Finally linen is a really breathable fabric – the fibres are more absorbent than cotton so it works a bit like your gym kit and wicks the sweat away from your body as you sleep which means you should sleep better.
HOW TO WASH LINEN
Linen gets rid of dirt better than some other textiles and the more you wash it the softer it will get. Soak & Sleep recommend washing theirs at 40C but it can withstand hotter temperatures if you want. Avoid bleach – not just because of the colour but because it will destroy the fibres. Apparently powder is best for pale colours and gels is better for colours.
Now a word about tumble drying. Linen is strong and can withstand the drier which may give you a softer finish. However, it may install permanent creases which were a little more than the gentle crumple that you had in mind. If that’s the case you can try ironing it when it’s still damp to remove some of them.
HOW TO STORE BEDLINEN
Everyone has their own way of storing their bedlinen. Mine is quite often over the drying rack until I next need it but if you are good at putting things away then try folding the duvet cover, sheet and one pillow case into the second pillow case. That keeps sets together and means it’s easy to remove from the cupboard without pulling everything out onto the floor.
I hope that’s been useful. Now, which colours to buy? I have a mix of pink and grey as you can see from the image above.
I confess: I pay someone else to iron everything, including my bed linen (cotton- 520 threadcount or higher- plus two sets of pure linen).
One linen set is from The White Company (white with a pale grey flower) and one (a very similar design, which I’m sure was coincidental…) from M&S. Absolutely wonderful to sleep in.
Keep thinking I’ll get some blush/dusky ink ones, but haven’t plucked up the courage. Keep telling myself that it’s a want, not a need.
Really glad I stumbled across this post. I just bought 3 sets of linen sheets online. I heard that they were rough when you first unpackage them. Is that true? Is there something that I can do to make them softer?
Well now – yes they can be rough and apparently tumble drying makes them softer. So, in the interests of research I tumble-dried mine this week and I can confirm that yes they are softer but boy are they creased. Choices choices!
Thanks for the info! Guess I’ll have to start ironing my sheets!
I iron sheets too! But I have been using bamboo for the past 5 years and they are just utterly gorgeous. Love the look, feel of them – like silk. However they do crumple and stiffen in the wash but soften and smooth out once hung out to dry.
interesting – bamboo eh? I shall investigate.
I bought mine at Ikea and I love it. It wasn’t expensive and while it might not be extremely soft, the quality is fine. I have the white one and I often wash at 95 celsius and (if possible) dry it outside. It never even makes it to my cupboard in summer.
I’m also a sheet ironer (although cotton, not linen) 🙂 Sorry Kate!
gosh don’t apologise – if you want to drop round and do mine…..!
If you can find a HUGE linen table cloth, you can use it as a sheet, usually with some trimming of the long side. They’re more readily available (at least here in the States) than linen sheets. I find loads of them at jumble sales where people are getting rid of granny’s linens.
Now THAT is a clever idea.
Hi Kate – in the final image with the striped bed linen – do you have any idea where that bedside table is from? I have yet to find the perfect bedside table – they are either too small, too gappy or look cheap! However, that is quite a smart one! x
Excellent timing! I have just bought a set of linen bedding – more for its ‘breathable’ qualities than as a fashion statement though, as I am fed up of waking three times a night thinking I’m in the tropics. I rarely iron anything so I think I will avoid tumble drying if possible, either that or I will my resign myself to the bed resembling a tribute to Tracey Emin.
Thanks for this timely post Kate. Just about to get a new bed, in a newly-decorated bedroom, so this seems the perfect finishing touch!
I love linen sheets – it has taken my husband a while to get used to them but he is ok with them now – at least I think he is. I have my grandparents wedding sheets – here in Sweden these were embroidered with the name of the both the bride and the groom and probably only used on the wedding night. They are 102 years old now. They are beautiful but made of very heavy linen so not as nice to sleep in – I have used them sometimes though. My latest acquisition is a gorgeous navy blue washed linen duvet cover and matching pillow slips. I just love it.
In summer I still use a beautifully embroidered linen sheet that my mother made as part of her trousseau in the 1940’s. It becomes softer and whiter the more it is used. Washed but never ironed, just laid of a rack to dry. If you cannot afford to buy a set of linen bedding then do consider buying a large linen sheet to use when the weather is too hot for a duvet at night. You will notice the difference and the quality of your sleep will be helped too.
I confess: I iron sheets, at least the ones for our vacation rentals. The sheets are antique linen or cotton, beautifully embroidered. I like to dry them on the line, which gives that wonderful fresh smell.