Linen is one of our favourite materials. It is ecological, comfortable on the skin and easy to use. Flax is one of the oldest and cleanest fibres in the world. The linen yarn we use is spun mainly inside the EU area by Masters of Linen spinners. These spinners only use flax grown by rainwater in France, Netherlands, and Belgium, which requires no irrigation or much fertilising. As a Masters of Linen weaver, Lapuan Kankurit is part of the 100% traceable European chain.
Flax grows quickly, reaching a metre in height in a hundred days’ time. It also acts as a carbon sink: its cultivation in Europe binds up to 330 000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the air. It also maintains a healthy biodiversity in the ecosystem. Flax can be utilised in full, and it is a completely biodegradable material. The long staple linen we use is spun according to the OEKO-TEX® standards.
Linen absorbs moisture effectively: a linen towel can soak a lot of moisture without feeling wet. The fibre also releases moisture quickly, so the textiles dry fast. Due to the absorption capacity of linen, less material is required for the products, which is why our linen towels are so light weight. Some of our bath products feature terrycloth, a pleasantly rough material which improves beneficial blood circulation and pampers the skin.
Linen is a durable, inflexible natural fibre. It shines beautifully and repels dirt, which is why it suits well for table settings. When ironed, linen has a shiny surface. Linen has a true natural colour. Linen-coloured textiles are undyed, which means they have only been washed or bleached. Flax fibre does not naturally contain allergenic substances.
We are known for making products that stand the test of time, and our linen products are a perfect example of this: linen only gets better with time and use and can last from generation to generation with correct care.
Flax From Finland in the Future?
Historically, flax has been grown in Finland since the bronze age. Unfortunately, with the development of synthetic fibres flax fields nearly vanished from the Finnish countryside altogether. Luckily, the global interest in the superior qualities of natural fibres is on the rise, and advocates are gearing towards bringing flax cultivation back to Finland on an industrial scale.
We value local materials – and have already invested in Finnsheep wool production, for instance – and we love linen. Now is the time for us to begin exploring ways and taking steps towards utilising domestic linen in our products.
