The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is a global not-for-profit organisation and the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. First, fabrics and materials are sorted by color. Explore three intersecting paths of cotton's circular lifecycle. Safaya, Sameer, et al. It was used on its own and blended with other fibres. Sateen vs. Percale vs. Linen While thread count can be a misleading gauge of sheets, there’s no question that when it comes to softness and quality the best cotton … Are you with us in the linen and cotton debate? Plus it’s worth noting that linen can be processed without the use of chemicals, and it biodegrades without creating harmful waste at the end of its useful life. What do you love about this amazing fabric? Cotton’s Unsophisticated–And Homegrown–Supply Chain . The majority of recycled cotton is claimed through mechanical recycling. Essentially, it seems to really just get better with age. Living in Sydney, I’ve become accustomed to summers which regularly sees days hitting highs of close to (or over) 40 degrees celsius. Cotton clothes can be lovely, but they can also become threadbare and lose their shape after repeated washing. Harvested from cotton plants, the cotton fiber tends to wrinkle less than linen. Originating in the Middle East, it was used by Egyptians as currency and was also used to wrap mummies before they were laid in their tombs. We love them for their comfort, functionality, durability and sustainability. Linen clothes lend an air of casual elegance and breezy simplicity. You can also subscribe without commenting. Linen requires more ironing and is more prone to wrinkles than cotton. When cotton became mass-produced in the 19th century, linen lost its universal place in fashion. To me, this is the epitome of a sustainable textile, and the reason why I’m so quick to spring for a linen piece over cotton. Texture: Cotton is not as fine as linen. Where it comes from, the history of using it as a fabric for garment production, and how linen is a more sustainable choice than cotton. While linen comes from many sources and its impact can vary, Lenzing guarantees Tencel is made from guaranteed sustainability harvested trees and has a closed-loop production process. According to the European Confederation of Linen and Hemp, “Across its lifecycle, a linen shirt uses 6.4 litres of water” compared to 2,700 litres for a cotton shirt. Globally, hemp is already an established crop that is dominated by three regions. As a result, as per the textile comparison above, overall, the environmental impact of the linen (flax) shirt is considered to be lower than that of the cotton shirt. Linen is obtained from the flax plant. Last summer I purchased a shirt made from ramie – looks like linen, I googled it, it grows in India and China and has long fibres. Linen sheets are not only soft, they also have temperature-regulating qualities that will keep you cool even on the warmest nights, and cosy when it’s cold outside. The durability of linen means it lasts longer than other materials. There’s a reason food stylists, Instagrammers and interior stylists choose linen textiles. Cotton can be reused, recycled, and returned to the earth. It’s simple – if you make a garment that lasts longer, you will need to replace it less often, which reduces consumption. You might also notice a visible lined pattern in the weave of a linen garment, whereas cotton can appear smoother and more uniform. Still, there are big differences in the quality of linen from different countries. Naylor, Geoffrey RS. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, not all sustainable materials are created equally. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation state that flax uses 13 times less pesticides than potatoes, but is only approximately 1% of the world’s apparel fibre consumption. As I’ve become more aware of issues regarding the ethics and sustainability practices of the garment industry, I’ve also learned more about the fibres that I’m wearing. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2724039303129549"; It was hailed for its durability and versatility, with many linen items in the home handed down from generation to generation. I mean, it’s hard to look chic while trying to keep cool, but I always feel like my outfits are put together and effortless when I’m wearing a linen piece. Linen vs. Cotton Sheets. Learn how your comment data is processed. Organic cotton is a good choice if you are trying to buy environmentally-friendly textiles, but due to the reduction in crop yields resulting from the lack of chemicals allowed for organic cotton production, it requires yet more land. LinenMe makes linen bread baskets. From water conservation to soil health to reducing energy, cotton farming has made immense progress in sustainability. Cotton shirts tend to feel smooth and silky when new but can lose that soft touch over time whereas linen … which is having a negative on the environment, Oliver Cabell Review: Dream Flat, Dream Mule & …. Cotton vs Linen: Cotton is obtained from the cotton plant. Linen clothes are quick to dry and lightweight too, making them a great choice for travelling. *Source: How Quickly Do Textile Microfibers Degrade in Aquatic Environments? And thanks to its natural ability to wick moisture away from your body, you won’t wake up feeling sweaty either. The European Union subsidizes its farmers $400 per acre for growing hemp. However, organic linen is completely free from pesticides! Look & feel . It can grow in poor quality soil, consumes far less water than is traditionally used in cotton production, and less pesticides during the growth stages too. Linen is finer and has more texture than cotton: Maintenance: Cotton is easier to maintain than linen. "Toward Sustainable Water Use in the Cotton Supply Chain." Both linen and cotton are good for keeping you warm, but unlike cotton, linen will also do a great job of keeping you cool when it’s hot. March 3, 2020. Linen looks stunning whether you opt for muted, neutral Scandi-inspired hues or go for pops of bold colour. Cotton basics are sold in abundance; our every day tees are made of cotton, the denim we reach for on repeat are made of cotton, and it’s likely you have a cotton sweater, shirt or dress tucked away in your closet too. Known for being softer and warmer, cotton holds its elasticity wash after wash. Cotton blankets also tend to feel more substantial. The flax plant is resilient. Cotton also is naturally hypoallergenic, so that people who have contact allergies can safely wear this material without fear of a reaction. Linen is one of the strongest plant fibres, two to three times stronger than cotton. This means that products made from linen are very durable. And if not, why? From stylish picnics to poolside snaps, linen homewares are rightly having a moment. Whilst cotton textiles can look flat and bland, linen has texture and a depth to its fibres that is completely on trend right now. Linen is a fabric that is derived from the flax plant, and it’s worth noting as I mentioned above, that all parts of the plant are used to create worthwhile products, which makes production not only cost-effective, but it means that nothing is wasted. Throughout history linen has been the choice fabric amongst pharaohs, medieval royalty and the upper echelons of European society. There are strict standards in the United States for organic cotton, and it is not easy to become a certified organic cotton operation. Sure you can. First, it regulates temperature extremely efficiently, with research showing that you’ll generally perspire less when wearing linen rather than cotton fibres, due to its natural ability to wick moisture away from your body. Production of organic cotton requires huge acreage, as the yield is lower than in traditional cotton farming due to the lack of chemicals allowed during this growth phase. The method of producing linen fabric from the flax plant uses far less water than it does to produce the same amount of cotton. A linen item may also have more natural creases than a cotton piece. Organic cotton: Conventional cotton remains one of the most widely grown crops, and uses approximately 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the world’s pesticides. And it’s not only linen bedlinen that we love more than cotton. I find it impossible and avoid all linen clothes because I can’t iron out the creases! So today I wanted to put the focus on linen. While it might crumple up a bit in your suitcase, it is also a great option to take when travelling. Nonetheless, linen continued to be worn in summer and hot climates. Originat… Linen also happens to be 30% stronger than cotton and happens to last a lot longer, we’re talking years longer here. That makes linen ideal for summer and working in offices without any air conditioning (we feel your pain). Linen clothes also offer the same temperature-regulating properties and supersoft comfort. And while I think cotton – and in particular organic GOTS-certified cotton – garments are not only versatile but will keep you cool during the warmer months, there’s a natural fibre which has a much lower environmental impact, and is far more durable; linen. It was a happy coincidence, but I’d found some stone and lime green (!!) In France and I think they had communal areas where they grew hemp also, it’s a very similar (but coarser – very hard wearing) fabric. There’s a lot of great qualities to really love when it comes to linen clothing. Cotton vs Linen for Bedding Fabric . Have you got any tips for ironing linen clothes? My love affair with linen started before I even hit my teens. Linen also doesn’t have as wide of a use as a fibre like cotton because it crinkles and scrunches easily – this limits it’s versatility and practicality of use. Both naturally derived from plant fibers and popular among luxury bedding products, linen and cotton nevertheless each have their own distinctive feel, price point, and benefits. Click here to see Brahms Mount's full inventory of cotton blankets and throws. In the debate over linen vs cotton we are firmly on the side of linen, and for good reason. I also like that it keeps me cool. However, many would find it difficult to differentiate or choose between both. Whilst superior qualities such as strength, durability and softness made linen a choice fabric over the ages, its association with aristocracy is in fact not the reason linen is more expensive than cotton. google_ad_slot = "1851534310"; Your email address will not be published. And I’d say I’ve been very forthcoming about how much I love to be able to incorporate linen textures into my wardrobe even now. Cotton plant also requires huge acreage, whereas flax will happily grow on poor soil. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below x, Your email address will not be published. It was hailed for its durability and versatility, with many linen items in the home handed down from generation to generation. Cotton Sustainability Basics. I always look at what fabric things are before I buy them. Linen fabric itself doesn’t perform medical function. Linen sheets could last for 25 or more years. In fact, rayon basically travels around the world before it ever hits retail shelves. Can linen be used to make antiviral hospital masks? We love natural fabrics. I was 11 years old, and about to embark on a three week camp in Greece during the summer. Linen is made of long, hollow fibers that allow air to circulate freely and move around moisture very well not allowing moisture to build up. Written by Keith Cushner. In the 20th century, linen was a key fabric for formal summerwear. Do you like wearing linen? The health of workers on cotton farms is greatly compromised as they spend their days applying chemicals to crops in the field. Linen is a fibre that we’ve been using for more than 10,000 years. Linen is more of a niche fibre than a fibre that can be produced at scale and in high production levels, like cotton for example. There’s a real lived-in look to the textile which only comes as it ages, and it’s one of the qualities that I find most attractive about linen. When you look closely at the fabric, if you notice a ‘slubby’ texture it’s probably linen, which has longer fibres than cotton. The source of the cellulose can be cotton, wood, and yep, bamboo. Once again, rayon can’t say that, remotely. And then there’s the drain on resources; 2,700 litres of water are required to produce the cotton to make one simple t-shirt. Each time you launder a linen piece, it’ll soften more and more, while still retaining its resilience as the fabric is woven tightly. Passed on using flax strands, the material has been made for a wide number of years and is one of the world’s most settled and most prized surfaces; it was even the material of decision for Roman robes! Regularly used cotton sheets, if looked after, might last for about five years. However, the production of linen requires less water and fares better in terms of water toxicity. Sometimes I think linen gets a bit of a bad rap. In fact, research has shown that people wearing linen perspire less than those wearing cotton. Hi, I really enjoyed your article. While the stats aren’t quite as common on the resources required to produce linen, from what I’ve gathered, the cultivation of the flax plant to maturity uses approximately four to seven times less the amount of water used in cotton manufacturing. What that means is you stay cooler for longer, and any moisture that is produced is quickly wicked away. Most children and baby clothes are made with cotton, as well as bed linens and other fabric items. Linen clothes are quick to dry and lightweight too, making them a great choice for travelling. Perhaps more specifically, I’d say we look to cotton. It said it’s not as durable. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. They simply have a much more interesting look and feel to cotton alternatives. The feeling of linen is lovely, the texture and softness is unique, and the fact that it just … You want clothes that you can where everywhere, any time, whether you are walking the dog, on the school run, giving an important presentation or meeting friends for dinner. The texture of linen is unique; it has a lot of depth which gives it an interesting appearance, while the hand-feel of the fibre is soft to the touch. Linen is harvested by hand and is therefore more expensive to produce. "Measurement of the … The end product of this process ultimately falls into a category that is somewhere between naturals and synthetics. The first thing that probably comes to mind when thinking about shopping sustainably are natural fibres. That means that 99.5% of (non-toxic) chemicals used get recycled and reused which means practically no waste and no need for new … But when it comes to hemp vs bamboo, there are a few important factors that may surprise you. Which is super exciting! BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future. I also love linen and don’t mind ironing it or that it creases. Recycled Cotton . Shifting that mindset away from buying man-made fibres (which is having a negative on the environment), and investing in quality materials is what I would consider to be a good starting block, especially if you’re only just beginning to transition your wardrobe to make it more sustainable in the long run. In this wholesome post we want to share with you a summary of investigation into the sustainability of different kinds of fabrics and suggests steps that you can take to reduce your environmental footprint when choosing fabrics. After sorting, the fabrics are run through a machine that shreds the fabric into yarn and further into raw fiber. 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