The Best Linen Sheets

Fabric Weight

• Usually when you choose a set of sheets you look for a high thread count. The higher the thread count the more luxurious and durable the sheet. Linen sheets are not measured in this manner. Instead they are measured by ounces per square yard. Linen sheets are categorized into Handkerchief weight (hanky weight), medium weight or heavy weight. Linen bedsheets typically are made from medium weight fabric. Prices range from about $26 for a pillowcase to more than $600 for a complete king size bedding set.

Flax Content

• The amount of flax used to make linen bed sheets affects the amount of static electricity that can be generated during friction. The more flax content the sheets contains, the less static electricity you will experience. Sheets with as little as 10 percent flax can stop static cling in your sheets. Anything above 10 percent is considered good quality.

Hypoallergenic

• Look for linen sheets that have not been processed or bleached and still maintain their natural hypoallergenic properties. Raw organic linens made from flax, bamboo and other natural materials provide better resistance to fungus, bacteria and dust mites.

Wrinkling

• Linen tends to wrinkle very easily and may need extra care. You can reduce wrinkles by removing the sheets from the dryer while still damp. Iron them immediately.