Linen Fiber (Linen)
The History of Linen
Linen fiber comes from a plant called Flax, which is used to produce textile fiber and is widely grown in Europe, such as in Belgium, Ireland, Russia, and elsewhere. It is one of the oldest and most durable fibers used for fabric (used to wrap mummies in Egypt).
Flax prefers a warm, fairly humid climate. Most flax grown in Europe is turned into finished fabric. Before linen fiber can be produced into fabric, it must go through several steps: the harvested flax plants are soaked to soften the stalks, bundled into sheaves, and dried. Once fully dried, large rollers are used to crush the stalks so the stems and stalks break apart into individual fibers. The separated fibers are then run through a combing machine to smooth them out and remove short fibers, after which they are spun into fiber strands and thread. If white fiber is desired, it is usually bleached before being spun into thread, to save time.
General Properties of Linen
The properties of linen fabric are mostly similar to those of cotton. When comparing linen to cotton, there are a few small differences: linen is stronger and more durable than cotton, but stretches and shrinks less; its fibers break and wrinkle more easily; it absorbs water better; it is more comfortable to wear and feels cooler; and it has a glossier texture than cotton. Linen fabric feels stiff, as if starched — the more it is washed, the glossier it becomes and the newer it looks.
No matter which washing machine brand is good, you still need to check its functions carefully first to see whether it can wash that type of fabric.
Linen fabric comes in many types, ranging from fine and thin to coarse and thick, and is suitable for use as tablecloths, handkerchiefs, hand towels, napkins, bath towels, aprons, summer clothing, curtains, and more, though it tends to be fairly expensive.
Linen Fiber in Summary
1. Very strong fibers, resistant to washing and ironing
2. Comfortable to wear, absorbs moisture and dissipates heat well
3. Resistant to acids, alkalis, and other chemicals
4. Wrinkles easily, and wrinkles are difficult to remove unless the fabric has been given a wrinkle-resistant treatment beforehand