When we think of linen, we think of summer. But did you know that linen is quite warm in the winter months? Being a natural fiber, linen breathes like other fabrics do not. Flannel sheets were always too warm for me, snugly, but unless you are camping, just too hot. I had always preferred a high count cotton sheet, soft to the touch and getting softer with each wash. Then I moved to Russia and started purchasing more and more linen and made a lovely linen coverlet for the bed. It was super in the summer giving just the right amount of warmth. In the winter I just added a cotton thermal blanket under the linen coverlet only adding heavier blankets when the temps dropped below -30. Those drafty old Soviet windows in my flat just could not keep out the cold of -30 degrees even with loads of mailing tape. It was not long before I started buying linen yardage and making my own flat sheets and using linen for bath towels as well. Linen was so available in Russia in the 1990's....but it is harder and harder to find these days with all the wonderful imported fabrics from around the world that flood into Russia these days. Anyway, I bought a lot of linen at the great little linen shop near metro Kropotkinskaya in Moscow called "Rusky Leon" or Russian linen. The shop had been in this location for many years but has now disappeared only to be replaced with a coffee shop. But during the good old days(1997-2005), I would head over there at least once a week to check the inventory which included dozens of bolts of linens, all weights and colors, jacquards, dyed thread, hundreds of wonderful tablecloths, napkins, tea towels, table runners, and bedding. Now, mind you, all the measurements were in centimeters so I had to do a little calculating before my purchases but the selection was wonderful. It pains my heart to know all that is gone now.
Back to the linen sheets. When we first started importing our linen sheets from Russia, I took a natural linen set and washed them several times, ironed them and placed them on my bed. Yes, they were a little itchy at first but that soon disappeared with more washings. The most amazing thing about linen is that it is cool to the touch so you lay down on linen sheets on a warm summer night and you are instantly cool. Plus, linen will absorb almost twice as much moisture as cotton, so linen actually wicks moisture away from your body like some of the new synthetic winter clothing. Since that time, almost a year ago now, I've washed these sheets and placed them back on the bed because I do not want to sleep on any other sheets. Now in the winter time, the sheets work in the opposite way and help trap the warmth of your body. Now I'm one of those gals who could sleep with the window open all year round even in the winter at an elevation of 7,000+ feet but keep the thermostat at 60 degrees at night and only 65 degrees during the days. Most nights, just a light weight cotton blanket is used over these linen sheets for a very comfortable sleeping temperature. Sheer Bliss.
Now, many cringe when I mention linen sheets including my husband when I first said we were going to give them a try. He thought we would be sleeping on sheets that resembled burlap. Has he changed his tune and loves them as much as I do now. Another question I get when I mention linen sheets to a customer is "Don't you have to iron them?" Yes and No. Ironing linen when it is about 3/4 dry is a great way to get a great pressing and for the first few washings, it actually softens the linen, so I recommend ironing the sheets for the first few washings. After that, this is how I handle linen sheets:
1. First thing in the morning, wash your sheets like you normally do, cool water, not too hot, fabric
softener, etc.
2. Dry the sheets; fitted sheet first till it is about 85% dry and pull it out of the dryer and place it
back on the bed a little damp but it will air dry quickly. Then dry the flat sheet and same
routine, about 85% dry and place it on the bed. Both of these sheets will dry during the rest of
the day and be ready for other linens, blankets, pillows, etc. at the end of the day.
3. If you prefer to iron your sheets, you can always fold them in half and iron two layers of sheeting
at once as this will press them enough to take any wrinkles away. Sometimes just pressing the
top edge of the flat sheet will be enough.
4. Now if you have linen pillowcases as well, I would recommend ironing these as they will just get
softer with pressing.
5. Of course, we recommend using our RUSSIA HOUSE COLLECTION Lavender Linen Water for
any ironing you need to do. It makes the sheets smell and feel even fresher with just a hint of
lavender to help relax your body for a blissful sleep.
So, that is my linen sheet advise. Linen sheets are still very popular in the best hotels in Europe. Royals have slept on linen sheets for centuries, so what are you waiting for. Sleep like a Queen and King today. Order some linen sheets and enjoy the bliss of a luxurious night of restful sleep. Mention this blog and receive a 20% discount on the purchase of a linen sheet from our Ebay store - RUSSIA HOUSE COLLECTION or from our Etsy store - Linensisters.
Cheers, Jilly
Back to the linen sheets. When we first started importing our linen sheets from Russia, I took a natural linen set and washed them several times, ironed them and placed them on my bed. Yes, they were a little itchy at first but that soon disappeared with more washings. The most amazing thing about linen is that it is cool to the touch so you lay down on linen sheets on a warm summer night and you are instantly cool. Plus, linen will absorb almost twice as much moisture as cotton, so linen actually wicks moisture away from your body like some of the new synthetic winter clothing. Since that time, almost a year ago now, I've washed these sheets and placed them back on the bed because I do not want to sleep on any other sheets. Now in the winter time, the sheets work in the opposite way and help trap the warmth of your body. Now I'm one of those gals who could sleep with the window open all year round even in the winter at an elevation of 7,000+ feet but keep the thermostat at 60 degrees at night and only 65 degrees during the days. Most nights, just a light weight cotton blanket is used over these linen sheets for a very comfortable sleeping temperature. Sheer Bliss.
Now, many cringe when I mention linen sheets including my husband when I first said we were going to give them a try. He thought we would be sleeping on sheets that resembled burlap. Has he changed his tune and loves them as much as I do now. Another question I get when I mention linen sheets to a customer is "Don't you have to iron them?" Yes and No. Ironing linen when it is about 3/4 dry is a great way to get a great pressing and for the first few washings, it actually softens the linen, so I recommend ironing the sheets for the first few washings. After that, this is how I handle linen sheets:
1. First thing in the morning, wash your sheets like you normally do, cool water, not too hot, fabric
softener, etc.
2. Dry the sheets; fitted sheet first till it is about 85% dry and pull it out of the dryer and place it
back on the bed a little damp but it will air dry quickly. Then dry the flat sheet and same
routine, about 85% dry and place it on the bed. Both of these sheets will dry during the rest of
the day and be ready for other linens, blankets, pillows, etc. at the end of the day.
3. If you prefer to iron your sheets, you can always fold them in half and iron two layers of sheeting
at once as this will press them enough to take any wrinkles away. Sometimes just pressing the
top edge of the flat sheet will be enough.
4. Now if you have linen pillowcases as well, I would recommend ironing these as they will just get
softer with pressing.
5. Of course, we recommend using our RUSSIA HOUSE COLLECTION Lavender Linen Water for
any ironing you need to do. It makes the sheets smell and feel even fresher with just a hint of
lavender to help relax your body for a blissful sleep.
So, that is my linen sheet advise. Linen sheets are still very popular in the best hotels in Europe. Royals have slept on linen sheets for centuries, so what are you waiting for. Sleep like a Queen and King today. Order some linen sheets and enjoy the bliss of a luxurious night of restful sleep. Mention this blog and receive a 20% discount on the purchase of a linen sheet from our Ebay store - RUSSIA HOUSE COLLECTION or from our Etsy store - Linensisters.
Cheers, Jilly
