Difference between Cotton and Linen


Quite often while doing online shopping for sarees we see two categories among others which might confuse the newbies. They are cotton and linen. While many of us mistakenly think that both might be some form of cotton or other, it is not and there is a huge difference.

Let me list them here:

1. Origin
COTTON: Cotton fabric is originated from cotton plant fabric, it handspun and handwoven fabric or are woven on machines.
LINEN: Whereas Linen is flax-based fabric its fibers are collected from a stem of the flax plant and it originally originated in the Egyptian period.
2. Process
COTTON: It handspun and handwoven fabric or are woven on machines.
LINEN: linen is either made in machinery or completely handwoven. Like Munio home India brand has completely handmade products.
3. Fiber
COTTON: Cotton Fabric is made from cotton
LINEN: Linen is made from the Flax plant.
4. Cost
COTTON: It is cheaper compared to linen
LINEN: Linen is expensive as very fewer people prefer to grow fabric quality Flax plants.
5. DURABILITY
COTTON:-Cotton is a bit stretchable and flexible but is not durable, finer cotton-like Egyptian cotton is made from long-staple cotton but still is not durable compared to linen.
LINEN:- Linen is much stiffer but lasts longer as the cellulose fibers in linen yarn are lightly longer and wrapped stronger than in cotton yarn, which increases its durability.
6. SOFTNESS & BREATHABILITY
COTTON:-It is always softer than linen because the flax fibers are rougher. In terms of breathability it is based on the weave type of the fabric. If the weave is more compact like in the case of denim it is less breathable.
LINEN:-Flax linen fibers, on the other hand, are hollow so air and water can easily circulate. Linen fabrics become very soft after many washes and are long-lasting,i.e, up to 30 years.

So based on your adaptability and lifestyle, both are good choices, although linen wins over cotton in terms of keeping you cool in summers.

Linen from flax seeds

Cotton from cotton plants

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