What materials are used to make our French bed linen and what are their benefits?

Linen is one of the oldest fabrics known to mankind and was used in bed linen for centuries until cotton became easier to process in the industrial revolution. Linen fabric is made from flax which grows best in the climate of Western Europe and Ukraine and increasingly in Eastern Europe and China. Our flax originates from the French/Belgium border, an area considered one of the best for producing fibres of good quality. It's worth noting that Linen quality is measured by its lea - not thread count. Lea relates to the length of the fibre - the longer the fibre, the better and more long-lasting the linen.

So, why the hype about Linen? Chances are you have some linen items in your summer wardrobe - its fresh, breathable, moisture-wicking properties make it a warm-weather hero. Those same properties mean it's a dream to sleep under - it has a greater ability than cotton to wick away and dissipate excess moisture keeping you fresh and cool all night long. And it's not just good for summer, its soft and comforting drape and temperature-regulating properties means it helps keep you warm and cosy during chilly winter nights.

Flax fibres have a low elasticity that results in the naturally tousled, carefree look of linen fabric. It looks lovely even when unironed - which is good news for anyone with a busy life who is looking for an easy-care bed linen choice. Just wash, dry and you'll be ready to remake your bed. In fact, its casual, slightly rustic appearance makes it a winner with stylists, influencers and interior designers.

Soft and comforting to the touch, it gets softer with each wash thanks to the properties of the yarn. It's also stronger and more absorbent than cotton - making it a really worthwhile investment; with good care, your linen bedding will last you for many nights to come. Some other top tips for care: tumble drying will help to soften the fabric before use and always avoid using bleach as this damages the fibres - optical brighteners are a particular foe which could result in patchy colour where used.

We know some people worry linen bed linen will be a bit rough and "scratchy", after all, some linen trousers and jackets can feel that way. Be reassured this isn't the case with our French Linen bed linen. If you need convincing, head on over to our reviews section to see what other happy customers say.

Shop our French Linen bed linen.