If you’ve vowed to take a more eco-friendly approach to your lifestyle in 2023, linen is the perfect way to embrace sustainability. Many people are surprised to learn just how good this material is in terms of environmental friendliness, and there are so many ways you can incorporate it into your home.
 
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Why Is Linen So Sustainable?
First, let’s explain why linen deserves pride of place throughout your home. This material is made from flax, a plant that grows without needing any pesticides or fertilizers to thrive. It is a renewable resource that grows quickly and can be produced without causing damage to the environment.
And if you're concerned about your carbon footprint, you might be pleased to learn that a hectare of flax can take as much as 3.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. According to the European Confederation of Flax and Hemp, this means that when you count up all of the flax that is grown in Europe, a top producer of high-quality linen, you’ll find that around 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide are removed from the atmosphere every year as a result.
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Another big pro in linen’s favour is the fact that the entire plant can be woven into fibre, so the spinning and weaving processes do not result in waste. It is also completely biodegradable and recyclable, with pure natural linen beginning to decompose in just two weeks!
To ensure you get high-quality linen that complies with strict environmental and ethical regulations, look out for certified European linen like the type offered at LinenBarn. Linen that is made elsewhere in the world, such as China, is not held to these stringent standards.
Here is a look at how linen can make every room of your home eco-friendlier this year.
In The Bedroom
One of the top places to use linen is the bedroom, where both the sheets on your bed and the clothes in your closet can enjoy its many advantages.
 
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Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons you may want to switch to linen bedding is the fact that linen sheets can give you a better night’s sleep! It accomplishes this in several ways. First, it is suited to all seasons as its porousness gives it great heat conductivity, wicking moisture away and directing the heat away from your body on hot summer nights yet retaining body heat in the winter to keep you warm.
Cotton is a very chemically intensive crop, requiring lots of pesticides and fertilisers to grow successfully. Flax, in contrast, can meet the organic standards with far less effort as it does not depend on chemicals.
 
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So, if you’re ready to go all in on this sustainable bedding material, check out our Linen Quilt Cover Sets, available in everything from understated Light Blue Gingham to statement-making Tanami.
In The Bathroom
You can find bathroom towels made out of this stellar material. Highly absorbent, antimicrobial and non-allergenic, is there really any other material out there that seems as destined to become the perfect towel as linen?
Linen is very strong and durable, which means it can hold up to the multiple washings that things like towels are subjected to. In fact, it just gets softer with every wash!
 
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Moreover, it is filled with microscopic breaks throughout the material’s structure, providing your skin with a very subtle massaging effect that can help boost circulation and keep your skin looking fresh. It can also retain as much as 20 per cent of its weight in moisture before it feels wet.
Our luxurious Linen Resort Towel with Ruffles in Pastel Coral is a perfect example of an environmentally friendly towel that just gets better with age.
In The Kitchen
Linen is right at home in the kitchen, working beautifully for everything from aprons and tea towels to bread bags.
We think a linen apron is doubly environmentally friendly; not only does it last much longer than other types of aprons thanks to linen’s durability, but it also protects whatever you’re wearing from stains, which means your clothes will last longer, too. Talk about multitasking in the kitchen!
 
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It’s also a great choice for bread bags thanks to its breathability and natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties – not to mention the fact that it’s way more stylish than other bread storage solutions. Case in point: our Rustic Natural Flax Linen Bread Bag.
In The Dining Room
One area where linen really shines is the dining room. In fact, tablecloths, table runners and napkins are one of the most popular uses of linen. Plus, linen’s durability allows it to stand the test of time, which means linen tablecloths are often passed down in families so multiple generations can make memories around the same treasured tablecloth.
 
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A neutral option like our Oatmeal or “Down to Earth” Rustic White Linen Tablecloths are subtle yet elegant, making it a great choice for all types of table settings. You’ll also find table runners and even place mats made out of linen on our site.
 
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With each new year, it becomes increasingly obvious that our daily habits have a big impact on the environment. As a material that requires less water and fewer resources to grow and produce and is naturally biodegradable – not to mention supremely durable – you really can’t go wrong by making linen your textile of choice throughout your home in 2023!
