Table Linen - Properties of Flax Linen

Properties of Flax Linen

Flax is one of the stronger plant fibres, typically having at least twice the strength of cotton and is stronger when damp or wet than when dry. It is highly absorbent and a good heat conductor, making material made from flax cool to the touch and very comfortable to wear in hot or humid environments. It can absorb and release moisture rapidly, gaining upto 20% moisture content without feeling damp. In this way it absorbs moisture away from the skin and releases it rapidly to the atmosphere making it highly breathable. Due to the long length and smoothness of flax fibres, materials made from it are lint free and get softer the more they are washed. Repetitive creasing at the same place or pressing/ironing creases will tend to break flax linen threads. Flax has poor elasticity and therefore does not stretch well which explains why it wrinkles quickly. Its low elasticity also makes it strong and resistant to abrasion which means that it is hard wearing.

Flax linen also has a natural luster with its colour ranging from ivory to tan/grey, and is made whiter by bleaching. It is also resistant to staining and can withstand high temperatures meaning that it can be dry cleaned or washed with only a small amount of initial shrinkage. After washing, linen is best pressed while damp and therefore drying it too much should be avoided. Linen presses to a very smooth standard, but crinkles quickly and easily. This is however seen to be part of its character and “look” and therefore most clothes made from linen are designed to be dried on hangers without the need for ironing and to maintain this more casual crinkled look.