The difference between linen and cotton

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Natural fabrics derived from cotton and linen are both breathable, durable, eco-friendly and relatively soft. So, where do the differences lie between these materials? 
First of all, what is cotton?
Cotton is a ‘staple fiber’ produced from the cotton plant. The usable material is extracted from the inside of the cotton boll, and is made from different lengths of material. Cotton is recognized for being soft, fluffy and durable. It is often used in clothing such as fleeces for warmth.

What is linen?
Linen is a very strong, lightweight fabric that is made from the flax plant. It is a naturally-occurring fiber just like cotton, but can be trickier to harvest into fabric as it’s harder to weave. Linen is often used for items like towels, bedding and tablecloths. 

Key differences between cotton and linen

• The durability of each material. Although they are both renowned for their durability, linen is a little stronger in that department. Whereas high-quality cotton such as Egyptian cotton is made from long-staple fibers for extra durability, it still doesn’t match the rigidity of linen. That is why linen is preferred for important home materials like bedding.
  

• Cotton is softer right away. Newly-harvested cotton is soft, straight from the boll. Linen takes some washing before it becomes softer, but cotton is well-loved for its cozy softness. This is because the flax fibers used for linen are much rougher than cotton fibers.
  
  

• Linen has better water-wicking properties. This is why it tends to be used for cooler, thinner clothing, whereas cotton is used for thicker clothing. Linen draws sweat from the skin and dries faster than cotton. It has been shown that wearing linen helps you to perspire less!
  
  

• Linen is a more eco-friendly option to grow. The reason for this is that the flax plant requires much less water, pesticides and other resources to grow and be harvested. The cotton plant requires much more energy.
  
  

• Linen has a slight advantage for people with allergies. Both materials are hypoallergenic, so are great in this case. However, linen’s lower thread count and more loosely-packed fibers can trap fewer particles and dust.
  
  

• Cotton is cheaper. Cotton tends to cost less than linen because it can be grown more widely. The cotton plant is suitable for any soil type, and can be grown worldwide.
  

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Jack Vale is a writer from Happy Writers, Co.