Linen Fabric

The term 'linen' can also refer to the goods used in bath, bed, table, and kitchen textiles. Things like bed sheets, blankets, and towels are commonly referred to as “linens”, even though they are not technically made from linen fabric.

The practice of calling these products “linens” probably dates back to when linen was actually used to produce them. Later in time, when materials like cotton came along, the products retained the name because people were used to calling them as such.

Some linen textiles are among the oldest of their kind to be found in the world to date. For example, linen cloths have been found near the dead sea, and also in Georgia. Some fragments found in dwellings along the Swiss Lake have been said to date back to nearly 8,000 BC.

Mummies have also been wrapped in linen, mostly because it was a symbol of purity, light, and wealth. In fact, linen was used as a currency in Egypt at some points through history, especially in the trade market.

Today, linen is not produced on a large scale, but people still use it in items like towels, aprons, bags, bed linen, and clothing, including linen dresses. It is expensive to make, which is why production is not as widespread as it once was.