Linen
Grace McDonald
General Information
Linen is a cellulosic fiber extracted from flax seed. The word linen derives from the Latin word for flax. Linen textiles are some of the oldest textiles found, dating back to 10,000 years ago.
To extract the fibers, the plants are either cut or pulled from the ground by hand. The seeds are removed and the fibers are then separated and spun into yarn.
This fabric is highly absorbent, hypoallergenic, strong, and has wicking and cooling properties. Because of its high absorbency, linen is stronger when when then when it's dry, making it a great option for upholstery, clothing, and table cloths.
Environmental Impact
Linen is one of the most biodegradable fabrics in history. Since it's made from plant fibers, if not treated is completely biodegradable.
When comparing fibers used in similar applications, the production of linen requires less water than cotton and fares better in terms of water toxicity. Linen also lowers your carbon foot print due to the natural production's depletion of CO2.
Use in Interior Setting
1. This studio in Japan concentrates on a neutral color palette and compliments the light wood finishes with linen furnishing upholstery.
2. Linen is a very popular fiber used in clothing because of its strength and absorbency. These properties make this material comfortable to wear in hotter climates.
3. These area rugs by Armadillo are made using natural fibers such as jute, wool, and linen. These materials are durable and biodegradable.
4. The resiliency of linen allows it to be flexible and commonly used as drapery. It's lightweight materials and semitransparency provide privacy and natural light in this living room.
Application
Common applications for linen include upholstery, drapery, bedding, headboards, and dinner place settings. Since linen is hydrophilic, it becomes more absorbent each time after it's washed. It is best to wash linen in low temperatures waters and a soft cloth.
Testing Organizations:
Association for Linen Management - https://www.almnet.org/page/TestPiece
Association for Contract Textiles - https://contracttextiles.org/
Steiner Tunnel Test - https://www.element.com/product-qualification-testing-services/steiner-tunnel-testing
Relevant standards through ASTM:
ASTM D6798-02(2018) - Standard Terminology Relating Flax and Linen
ASTM D3822/D3822M-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Single Textile Fibers
ASTM D5103-07(2018) - Standard Test Method for Length and Length Distribution of Manufactured Staple Fibers (Single-Fiber Test)
