Linen and Cotton fabrics are both made from natural fibers. They’re both breathable, wick moisture well, and strong. Of the two, linen is most durable, but has a rougher texture. Cotton is softer to the touch, more stretchable, and retains heat better. Both are hypo-allergenic, although linen fabric more so than cotton fabric.
Check out the comparison table below, then read on for further details:
Rayon vs Cotton Comparison Table
| Property | Linen | Cotton |
|---|---|---|
| Other names | - | - |
| Made from | Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. | Fibers from cotton plant seeds |
| Uses | Clothing and furnishings, including tableclothes, napkins, curtains. | Cotton is widely used in clothing, including to produce popular woven fabrics such as denim, flannel, and canvas. Also used for bedsheets, towels, and upholstery. |
| Natural or Synthetic | Natural | Natural |
| Woven or Knitted | Woven | Woven |
| Thread Count | 200-2,000 | 100-1000+ |
| Washing | Typically fine in the washing machine with cold water, but some garments may be dry-clean only (always check the label first) | Typically fine in washing machine (always check the label first) |
| Drying | Some linen is tumble dry safe (check the label). When air drying, lay linen out flat rather than hanging to avoid losing the shape. | Often fine in tumble dryer, although shrinkage can occur especially if 100% cotton (check the label first). If unsure, air dry. |
| Ironing | Turn inside out and iron on a hot setting using the steam setting | Iron while damp (use a spray) on high heat |
| Wrinkle Resistance | Wrinkles extremely easily | Wrinkles easily |
| Heat Retention | Poor | Medium |
| Moisture Wicking | Good | Good |
| Breathability | Very Good | Very Good |
| Stretchability | Low | Medium |
| Flammability (untreated) | Very High | Very High |
| Water-Resistance (untreated) | Low | Poor |
| Color-Fastness | Poor | Good |
| Strength | Good | Good, especially when wet (cotton gets stronger when wet) |
| Durability | Excellent | Good |
| Drape | Stiff | Medium |
| Softness | Medium (but become softer over time) | Good |
| Advantages | Relatively environmentally friendly, breathable, with excellent durability. | Cotton fiber has superior wet strength and is a natural insulator. Cotton also has natural anti-microbial properties |
| Disadvantages | Wrinkles very easily. Costs more than comparable products made of cotton. | Higher production costs than many other fabrics, particularly for organic cotton. |
| Environmental Impact Score (A is best, E is worst) | Conventional Linen = C, Organic Linen = A | Conventional Cotton = E, Organic Cotton = B, Recycled Cotton = A |
| Sustainability Issues | No chemicals are required to turn create linen from flax, and the flax plant does not require pesticides or fertilizers. Compared to most other fabrics, linen production is highly sustainable. | Cotton growing can be pesticide and water intensive, leading to pollution. Less impact when grown organically. |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes |
