Cotton vs linen
Linen and cotton are both durable, breathable, soft fabrics derived from natural fibers.
Cotton fabric is made from the natural fibers of cotton plants. The part of the cotton plant that becomes the fabric is the part that grows in the boll, the encasing for the fluffy cotton fibers. Cotton is a soft and fluffy material that is spun and woven to create a durable fabric.
Linen in an extremely strong and light weight fabric made from the flax plant also a natural fiber, like cotton, but it takes longer to harvest and make into fabric, as flax fibers can be difficult to weave. The fibers are extracted from the plant and stored for long periods of time to soften the fibers.
Each material thrives on different elements, whether it’s breathability or absorbency. Both cotton and linen are eco-friendly fabrics because they are made from natural fibers, but there are many slight differences between cotton and linen that make them unique :
Durability. Cotton has a little more stretch and flexibility than linen but is not as durable. Linen is more durable because the cellulose fibers in linen yarn are slightly longer and wrapped tighter than those in cotton yarn, which increases its strength and longevity.
Texture. Cotton is a smoother fabric, while linen has more of a rough, textured pattern as a result of the looser weave, tighter weaves are almost always the defining mark of higher thread count linens, and therefore feel softer with less snag to the skin.
Softness. Cotton is softer to the touch than linen because flax fibers are rougher than cotton fibers.
Absorbency. Cotton is slightly more absorbent, as cotton can hold more than 25% of its weight in water while linen, Due to its molecular structure, it can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture before ever feeling damp!
Water wicking. Linen also has natural water-wicking qualities, which means it draws water (or sweat) out of the skin and dries quickly. Cotton also wicks moisture well, but it doesn’t have the same natural wicking ability that linen has.
Breathability. Breathability of cotton depends more on the weave of the fabric rather than the fibers themselves. Linen fibers, on the other hand, are hollow so air and water can easily circulate.
Appearance. Both cotton and linen wrinkle easily, as they are made from natural fibers, but linen wrinkles slightly more due to the stiffness of the fabric.
Hypoallergenic. Both cotton and linen are hypoallergenic; however, linen is slightly better for people with allergies as the lower thread count and the loose weave is less likely to trap dust and particles.
The method of producing linen fabric from the flax plant uses far less water than it does to produce the same amount of cotton. This makes it a more sustainable choice.
But, the most sustainable choice we can make is by asking why, what and when really needed.
Care for Linen
While linen is already soft and absorbent, with proper care, it becomes more so after each wash.
Washing. Linen does not need to be dry cleaned, and you can wash it by hand or in the washing machine.
Drying. If you opt to put it in the dryer, make sure to use a low heat. You should take it out of the dryer while it is still slightly damp to avoid wrinkles and stiffness, and hang it to dry.
Ironing. Should you need to iron a linen item, use high heat and some steam.
Care for organic cotton
GOTS Certified organic cotton, if treated properly, lasts for many years.
Before use-
Organic fabrics have not been treated with harsh chemicals throughout the production. The garments has been through many hands. For this reasons,and in order to permit maximum absorbency, Niradi team wash and iron all garments before dispatch.
Use mild detergent
Don’t mix dark and light colour
