Linen fabrics do not lose their popularity over the centuries, and now they are experiencing a new rise. This is due to both the natural fashion and the advantages of flax. In addition, this fabric looks very stylish and fits into any interior: from an ordinary comfortable apartment to a studio with a minimalistic design. Now everything that is possible is made from linen: linen towels for the bathroom and kitchen, bedding, clothes for adults and children, tablecloths, curtains, upholstery for furniture and much more.
How to make linen
Flaxseeds are harvested by pulling from the ground to preserve the entire length of the fiber. After drawing, the plants are left in the field to soften. This facilitates subsequent fiber separation. It is collected from plants, and then rolled and stored in a shelter for 2-3 months, where it continues to soften. Then the fibers are combed to remove excess impurities and shorter or broken fibers.
Long fibers (commonly used for bedding and towels) are slightly twisted and then processed using the “wet spinning” technique to achieve a smoother and softer yarn that is much more pleasant to the touch. And short fibers are collected and combined using the "dry spinning" method. This creates a stronger and heavier yarn, which is ideal for harsh environments such as upholstery or tarps. The manufacturing process of linen textiles is completely natural, so the products retain the beneficial properties of the fiber.
Useful properties of flax
The bactericidal properties of flax were discovered by our ancestors, who used linen cloth to dress wounds. Due to its natural properties, flax prevents the growth of bacteria and has an antiseptic effect. During the war, linen bandages were widely used not only because of their bactericidal properties. The strength of the fabric and quick drying made it possible to use the same bandages many times. Nowadays, these properties are very useful in everyday life, and linen towels are gaining more and more popularity.
Advantages of flax over other fabrics:
- strength: linen is 30% stronger than cotton;
- absorbs moisture well;
- dries quickly;
- hypoallergenic;
- breathable;
- not electrified;
- dense structure due to which the products retain their shape;
- environmentally friendly fabric: flax production requires less water and chemicals.
How to care for linen towels
The benefits of such towels are visible from first use. Due to their ability to absorb water, linen kitchen towels wipe dishes well and do not leave a lint. But, like any fabric, you need to properly care for flax:
- you can not leave them bent for a long time in one position, over time, the tissue may thin out at the bend;
- You cannot soak flax for a long time: it will swell and may lose its shape.
This ends the use restrictions. This is a very good buy, because linen towels for the kitchen can withstand up to 300 washings, while ordinary towels can hardly survive 50. Families with children will like this durability, where they need to be washed almost every day. This also pays for the somewhat high cost of linen textiles. Flax products are an order of magnitude higher than cotton and especially synthetic analogues. This is due to the fact that linen is a completely natural fabric; only dyes are part of the chemical components. Nevertheless, the pros cover the cons, and the demand for linen products is quite high. You can buy them in almost all textile stores.