Does Luxury Linen Really Matter?

When running a hotel or restaurant, paying attention to the fine details is important in maintaining a high-standard establishment. One of these fine details that can make a huge difference is the quality of linen. From luxurious tablecloths to pristine, crisp staff aprons, high-quality linen gives the impression of a respectable business that really cares for its customers. So, how much does linen really matter in different businesses? We take you through the importance of using high-quality linen in your business and the benefits it can offer.

A Brief History of Linen

Before we delve into the importance of adding luxury linen to your business, it is first important to understand where linen came from and why it is now a symbol of luxury.

As one of the oldest textiles in the world, linen is one of the most beautiful fibres known to man.

The history of linen goes back thousands of years. Evidence of its use has been found dating back to 8000 BC.

It’s been prized throughout history for its strength and versatility. Other than textiles, it's been used for a variety of purposes including shields and armour, ships sails, artist canvases, and even bank notes to name but a few.

In Ancient Egypt, it was a symbol of purity and wealth and was used for burial shrouds and even currency. It has long been the king of fabrics and the Bible even states that it was worn by angels.

How is Linen Made?

Linen is a natural fabric created using the beautiful blue flowering flax plant, which in many cases is harvested by hand, then tied into bundles and left to dry in the fields. Seeds are then removed for the next year's crop and the fibres are taken from the stalk of the plant and spun into yarn.

It has always had a perception of high value, mainly because flax is a very labour-intensive crop and it is difficult to weave with as the thread has no elasticity so can break easily. Great care and skill are needed to weave it into cloth.

What is Linen Used For?

Linen is used by millions of people across the world for a plethora of different reasons. Customers around the world choose linen because they like the way it looks, feels and performs. It is a material that symbolises luxury, which is no surprise why it has such a large number of applications:

tableware & decorative fabrics
suiting
clothing apparel
surgical thread
sewing thread
bed linen
kitchen towels
fabrics for light aviation use
reinforce plastics and composite materials
high-quality papers
handkerchief linen
shirting
upholstery
draperies
wall coverings
luggage fabrics
insulation
filtration

Why is Linen So Popular?

Other than the luxurious qualities linen possesses, there are a number of reasons why linen’s popularity never seems to dwindle.

Comfort

Linen is a highly breathable and heat-conductive fabric. In winter, linen duvet covers or sleepwear keeps you nice and warm because it retains the heat from your body.

During the summer, however, linen cools you down. It is a lightweight material which allows air to circulate freely.

Longevity

Linen is known to be one of the strongest fibres in the world. It is 30% stronger and thicker than cotton, which makes it incredibly durable. As it was once woven into Greek armour, you can be assured that your linen products are built to last!

Health

Linen is renowned for its antibacterial purposes. It wicks moisture and dries out much faster than cotton so it doesn’t let bacteria build up. By using linen products, you are preventing pesky dust mites and other germs.

This is why it is particularly popular in restaurants and hotels where cleanliness is vital.

Sustainability

Now in 2022, most people are conscious of their environmental impact and trying to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

Linen is one way to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle as it is made from a flax plant which can be woven into a fibre, meaning no waste is left over from the spinning and weaving process.

If organically processed without chemicals or intensive dyes, it also means no water pollution is made.

Linen is also 100% biodegradable and recyclable.

Why Should You Use Luxury Linen in Your Business?

Now that you know why linen is so popular, it is time to discuss the direct benefits that using high-quality linen can have on your business.

Linen products have been a staple in many industries. For hotels, towels and bed linens are a requirement. For restaurants, staff are required to wear the proper uniform for safety and hygiene purposes.

So, what benefits can using the finest quality linen have on your business?

Customer Retention

Customer retention is one of the most important aspects of a successful business. If word spreads that your business uses cheap bed sheets, tablecloths or improper uniform material, this can be detrimental to your business.

Customers pick up on fine details, so you should go all out in providing the highest quality products and services to make sure they are keen to return.

The quickest way to lose customers in a restaurant is by failing to maintain a high cleanliness standard. Customers will have different allergies and food requirements, so they are relying on you to care for them properly and ensure that their health is protected at all times.

Without the proper staff uniform, clean tablecloths and napkins, you are putting your guests at risk of contamination and bacteria and germs.

Similarly, hotel guests are expecting a hotel which is clean, well-presented and safe to stay in. By using cheap bed sheets and towels, you are not creating the impression that you are properly caring for your guests.

Consider using high-quality linen in your business to maintain the highest customer retention possible.

Employee Performance

As an employee, you want to feel proud of the place you work in.

One way that businesses can instil a sense of pride in their workers is by providing them with high-quality uniforms that not only look good but keep them safe too.

Using the finest quality material for your employees demonstrates that you care for them and value their work. It can also create more of a team spirit and unity, which can all contribute to better employee performance.

Safety

Providing high-quality uniforms is also important in ensuring your staff's (and customers’) safety.

Chefs must wear the correct protective clothing in food areas at all times, as this will help to ensure that any contaminants carried on normal clothing, such as pet hairs or dirt, do not contaminate the food.

Not only this, but a high-quality uniform ensures that your team feels comfortable at work. Multiple ovens, hobs, and other heating equipment undoubtedly make commercial kitchens hot environments which for chefs, can become very uncomfortable.

To be comfortable and remain cool, chefs should wear uniforms that are the appropriate size for them and still have room to allow airflow and breathability. It should be made of a comfortable material and not irritate the skin during use.

Linen is the perfect material for chefs to wear as it is incredibly durable and can protect chefs from the heat of the kitchen.

Explore our range of linen chefs wear at London Linen for chef uniforms that are built to last.

Appearance

As you step into a restaurant or hotel, the first thing you will note is its appearance.

Arriving at a restaurant and seeing tables neatly embellished with crisp, white tablecloths can create a more elegant feel than bare tables with nothing on.

Similarly, seeing fluffy white towels perfectly folded on your hotel bed is much better than seeing scruffy, scratchy old towels made from cheap materials.

Appearance can go a long way for the success of your business, so make sure to choose the finest quality materials to create a more sophisticated look.

Reputation

Kitting your restaurant or hotel out with the finest quality linen creates a positive reputation for your business. It sends the message out to your customers that you are serious about caring for their needs.

Once you have established a reputation as a professional, clean business, word will spread and before you know it, you’ll be inundated with new customers.