Linen sheets are not comfortable at all in my opinion. You really are dealing with one of the least forgiving fabrics, especially for a bedding set. If you are someone who tosses and turns, or cannot regulate your body temperature, then linen sheets are also going to be your worst nightmare.
Here are some reasons why linen sheets are not comfortable at all, and ways to deal with this type of sheet when you are stuck in a linen-lined bed.
Linen Material is Best Suited for Mummies
Linen as a material has been around for a very long time. And, no, we are not talking about John Lennon. The Egyptians were using linen and developed this material for their currency.
Linen was also the choice fabric for wrapping up dead people as mummies. So there you have it, this is not really the ideal fabric for a bed, simply because they first used to wrap up dead bodies for burial.
Source: Wayfair
That right there tells me everything I need to know about whether it is comfortable to sleep on linen sheets. The fabric wasn’t made for sleeping, it was made for dying. I am looking for a sleep-worthy material for my bedsheets, and I suggest you do the same.
Unless you like to look like a dead person when sleeping, and in that case, wear the linen-like you stole it from Tutankhamun.
Furthermore, according to Comfort Nerd, “Linen has a different feel to fabrics like cotton, and some people find it a little rough or scratchy at first. It lasts a long time and softens up the more you wash it.”
This is just not a fabric that should be used for making sheets, as it is not readily soft and suitable for sleeping right out of the bag.
Linen Material Does Not Stretch
Linen is made out of flax fibers, as noted, and these are not noted for having any give or stretch. You see this when you try on a pair of linen trousers or a linen blouse. It should be oversized in order to accommodate your entire frame since you cannot stretch this material.
As a result, you know ahead of time that linen sheets are also not going to have any stretch.
This creates hazards in the bedroom if you are prone to jumping around or moving a lot in the bed. The sheets are only going to be so forgiving, and then you are stuck with ripped sheets torn on the linen fibered seams.
Once you rip a sheet, you might as well start shopping for a new one, as mending these fabrics is not the ideal situation. Bed sheets should be made well enough that they do not rip or get a hole torn in them that easily. If this happens, then you know your investment wasn’t that good, which is why I say, avoid buying linen sheets in the first place.
Go for a stretchy material like cotton or a synthetic, such as polyester microfiber, as a way to maximize your budget for bedding.
How to Improve Linen Sheets
You can improve linen sheets and their roughness by wearing them out in the bedroom and in the washing machine. The more you rub on the material, the more the linen fibers break down and soften up. This is sort of like wool, except for making the material less itchy and scratchy, you are trying to get it to soften up.
The linen material will last a lot longer than cotton or synthetic fibers that tend to ball up. This is thanks to the use of flax fibers that are turned into linen. If you want to get a better quality linen sheet set, that will help to improve its quality. Here is a good one that is not too expensive.
Finding the right linen sheets will make all the difference when sleeping on this type of material. Also, wash and dry the linen sheets quite frequently according to the manufacturer’s directions. This will help to break down the flax fibers even more than they already are and ensure a softer sheet for sleeping on at night.
Ultimate Decision for Linen Sheets and Comfort
The use of linen sheets is typical of households that are going for a certain look and aesthetic. As we have noted, the Egyptians first used linen. Therefore, the roots of linen materials are long-lasting in this world.
You might want to use linen as a testament to the history of this fabric, or because it reminds you of your grandma’s bedding.
Yet, if you are trying to live in the modern world where you are go-go-go, you don’t have time to reminisce all the time. You want sheets that are going to ensure you can live a long and productive life thanks to improving your sleep routine.
Linen worked for the mummies and their burial shrouds. It does not work for the busy adult who tiresomely wants to get a goodnight’s sleep on a new set of sheets. In that case, you only have so much time to shop for the sheets and just enough money to buy the best you can get–and linen sheets are not the answer.
Go for something more accommodating to keep you comfortable and cool, like silk or cotton.
