Though cotton has now become more widely used, linen is quite possibly the oldest fabric in the world, with evidence of fibres found in caves used by humanity's most distant ancestors, and it still comes with plenty of advantages for the twenty-first century homeowner. If you're looking for new furniture, the material is going to be an important concern, but many people will simply opt for cotton without taking the time to consider the alternatives.
Here are just four signs that you should think about using linen instead.
1. You Live Somewhere Hot
Parts of Australia can get plenty cool, especially during the winter months, but the country is also home to more than its fair share of tropical weather, and that gives linen a big edge over cotton. This is because linen is very smooth and cool. If you asked a tailor to recommend a suit for use during the warmest weather, they'd probably point you towards a linen suit. Your furniture should remain nice and cool during even the hottest of days if you use linen upholstery instead of cotton.
2. You Suffer from Allergies
Allergies can present a whole host of problems when you're buying furniture. Synthetic fibres, for example, might be good at resisting dirt, but they may also have been treated with chemicals while cotton is very absorbent and can easily trap certain irritants. Even if they'd prefer a fabric, many buyers will end up going for leather just because it is so easy to clean. However, they could always have used linen furniture instead. Its natural fibres make it hypoallergenic, and its tight weaves makes it incredibly hard for irritants to become trapped.
3. You're Looking for Something Eco-Friendly
If you're looking for an eco-friendly piece of furniture, you might think that cotton and linen stand as equals. After all, they are both natural materials. However, linen is actually a little more eco-friendly than cotton. Flax plants, from which linens are produced, require very little water, energy or pesticides in order to thrive while cotton can consume quite a lot of these materials. Going for organic cotton can alleviate the issue to some degree, but the plants will still need a lot of water.
4. You Want Something Highly Durable
If you're going to be using your furniture every day and don't want to worry about throwing yourself into it, linen upholstery is easily going to win out over cotton. It's one of the most durable fabrics available and was actually used for covering shields and making padded armour during the medieval period. As you might imagine, it's a lot stronger than cotton, perfect if you want something hardwearing.
