You may select goods in several ways: by Category or via SEARCH facility. For your convenience, you may purchase linen in sets or by separate items.

The availability of every single product is clearly indicated on each Product Page.

We appreciate customers concerns about security and use the services of experts. We do not hold customers credit card details.

All our online shop transactions are handled by PayPal or Google Checkout.

When you get to the checkout stage of our online shop if you look up at the URL of this page you will notice that instead of http:// it begins with https://. This means that it is on a Secure Server and all transactions that take place are encrypted between your browser and the server. Nobody is able to obtain your credit card details nor other information.

We ask for personal details such as telephone number and email address so that we can contact you in case there is a problem with your order (with delivery for example) or so that we can respond to your queries. We may also contact existing customers through email with special offers and information.

Alenska will protect your personal data. You can remove your email address from our mailing lists at any time. We will not sell this information to any third parties or redistribute it in any way. Personal data is gathered and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 UK.

Linen is a yarn or fabric made from the cultivated flax plant, named ‘Linum usitatissimum’. It is a cellulosic plant fibre, or bast fibre, and it forms the fibrous bundles in the inner bark of the stems of the plant. The plant is an annual that grows to a height of about a meter and the fibres run the entire length of the stem and help hold it upright.

The fibre strands are normally released from the cellular and woody stem tissue by a process known as retting (controlled rotting). In Ireland this was traditionally done in water, rivers, ponds or retting dams.

Flax has been grown in Russia since 2000 B.C. and ancient manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain evidence of linen made by the Slavs. Oriental writers of the time also described Slavs dressed in linen clothing. Prior to the formation of Kievan Russia (pre-Moscow), all Slavic tribes that inhabited the Eastern European plain grew flax. Flax was used to make sailcloth, fishing nets, ropes and linseed oil.

In the 10th-11th centuries A.D. flax was extensively grown for fibre and seed. It was regarded as an important crop both for crafts and commerce. Peasants used it to pay feudal taxes and make payments to the Tsar's treasury. Russian Princes collected tribute in linen.

In the late 19th-early 20th century, Russia emerged as the leading producer and exporter of flax and linen among European nations. So popular was linen and its variety of uses that the first standard Government tax imposed in Russia, by Peter the Great, was the standard tax on flax.

Russian linen is a quality product and one of our manufactures was even a supplier of the Russian Royal Court in the 19th century when they were weaving the most beautiful and highest quality Jacquard table linens for the Russian Tsars to use and enjoy in their Palaces. So today, with the help of Alenska, you can enjoy the same in your own home!

Thread count generally applies to woven fabrics. It is the number of weft yarns (picks) in a specified length of fabric plus the number of warp yarns (ends) in a specified width of the fabric. Warp and weft strands are counted as single units, regardless of the number of yarn plies.

In the case of bed linen consumers have often been misled by claims of thread counts. Its definition has at times been corrupted to mean the number of threads, both vertical and horizontal, multiplied by their respective number of single yarns in a plied yarn in a one-inch square of fabric. This meant a fabric made from two ply yarns was described as 800 count, when it should have correctly been labeled 400 count.

Thread count is a simple measure of the quality of the fabric and it refers to its coarseness or fineness. Whilst this may be a consideration, there are other important features to consider when measuring comfort, quality, and value: the type of fiber, the reaction obtained from the sense of touch of the fabric, and the nature of the finishing process.

Often people try to measure the quality of linen sheets by trying to compare the thread counts of linen with the more familiar cotton bed linen counts. However, to compare the thread count of one with the other is not to compare like with like. The count can only really be used to compare cotton sheeting with cotton sheeting and vice versa.

Flax linen is generally regarded as one of the finest qualities of bed linen you can buy, cool crisp linen bed sheets are prized above all others for their enhanced properties and their naturalness, purity, smoothness, durability and beauty, and they are considered by many to be the healthiest material for sleeping. Made from the fiber of the flax plant, linen has by its nature a lower thread count than cotton percale as the threads are thicker and more loosely woven. Also, as the yarn is rarely used in the plied form there is less confusion as to whether it is the true thread count or not. When new, linen has a slightly 'slubby' appearance, but the more it is washed the softer and more luminous it becomes. So it improves with age and use. Linen is more expensive than cotton, as it requires many more process to take it to the fabric stage, but with normal domestic use it is much longer lasting and once you've experienced sleeping in linen, nothing else is quite the same.

Cotton bedding, in environmental terms, is evil incarnate because the dismaying fact is that the textile industry is one of the largest polluters in the world; with around a quarter of the world’s insecticides used to grow conventional cotton and 8,000 chemicals variously employed to process, dye and finish it.

Flax, in comparison with cotton, grow like weeds without little if any help from chemicals, need a fraction of the water, are waste-free crops (producing, for instance, seeds, oils and a fibrous pulp that is used for bank notes) and actually enhance soil rather than depleting it.

Linen damask or Jacquard is a figured fabric made from one warp and one weft in which, generally, warp-satin and weft-sateen weaves interchange. Twill or binding weaves are sometimes introduced.

Pure Linen Damask is the name given to products woven from pure flax yarns in a special manner so that subtle patterns are visible even in an all white cloth, woven from all white yarns. This process requires threads to be woven in contrasting directions, which creates a pattern that is visible when viewed at certain angles.

Proper damask tablecloths come in a number of standard sizes. A good tablecloth will have damask pattern specially designed to fit each standard size. They will have a plain border, and a square, rectangular, circular or oval outer pattern, and an inner pattern running around all four sides. If there is one flaw in one of these tablecloths during weaving or making-up the whole item is lost, so they are very costly to produce.

Alenska provides you with the unique opportunity of dining over Damask table linen from the same Manufacturer who was providing linens for Russian Royal Court.

Double damask uses finer more high quality weft yarn, it has a higher weight per unit area, it has more weft picks than warp ends per inch, it is a different weave, it is a more expensive weaving process because you get less fabric per hour because of the extra picks, and often the loom has to be run slower to avoid damaging the yarns because of the tight beat up. On top of this its designs can be more intricate because of the higher definition allowed with the greater thread count. It should also last longer as the finer high quality yarns allow more launderings.

Please click here to see our Size Chart.

As a rule of thumb, 30cm (12 inches) should be allowed for drape at each side and end, meaning that a tablecloth should ideally be 60cm (24 inches) wider and longer than the corresponding table.

We do not specialize on providing customized linens but please feel free contacting us and we might be able resolve your requirements.

Please note that custom items are not returnable unless defective, and as they are often designed, finished and made up from scratch they can take 12-14 weeks to complete.

We do not specialize on providing customized linens but please feel free contacting us and we might be able resolve your requirements.

Please note that custom items are not returnable unless defective, and as they are often designed, finished and made up from scratch they can take 12-14 weeks to complete.

Our Proprietor was involved into Dry Cleaning and Laundry business for over six years. She do not advise dry cleaning bed or table linens out of hygienic issues. In spite of that you should feel free dry cleaning your linen curtains, bed throws or linen costumes.

You should avoid detergents which contain Optical Brightening Agents or bleach as they will cause colours to run, every wash, and will detract from the appearance of the subtle white linen damask pattern. O.B.A. is particularly deleterious to natural unbleached linens, and may well change its natural ecru colour to white over time.

With a minimum amount of proper care, the natural beauty of linen is easily maintained. Linen is the strongest natural fibre known to man, and of all textile fibres is the one which washes best. Pure Linen often becomes a family heirloom as it wears extremely well and is able to maintain its special qualities throughout its long life. The more linen is washed the softer and more luminous it becomes. Provided a few simple rules are followed, linen will remain in pristine condition for years, through normal household use.

Linen increases in strength when wet, which is why it stands up to the rough and tumble of repeated laundering so well. Commercial soap powders and liquid detergents can be safely used but as with all other textiles, always test for colour fastness. Avoid detergents which contain Optical Brightening Agents (O.B.A.) as they may cause colours to alter slightly and will detract from the appearance of the subtle white linen damask pattern. O.B.A. is particularly deleterious to natural unbleached linens.

Please avoid using bleach, this is any natural fibres worst enemy. Misuse can significantly degrade and weaken the fibres. Be careful in choosing your laundry, as poor laundries may cut corners by using bleach in too high a concentration as a cheap and easy way to help whiten the linen.

Due to its sheen and smooth surface, linen releases stains easily, although it is advisable to work on very stubborn stains before washing.

White linen articles without special finishes may be washed at 95°, but they might shrink in size. Normally linen should wash easily at as low temperature as 30-40°C.

We suggest to tumble dry our bed linens with a couple of tennis balls – they will hit the fabric and soften it even more. You may wish to dry your sheets naturally first as linen is heavy and dries slowly. That might help you to save on extra energy.

Never tumble-dry linen which you are going to iron as this can over-dry the fibres and makes ironing more difficult.

Always iron linen when damp, first on the wrong side to eliminate creases and then on the right side if you wish to enhance the fabric’s natural sheen. There is no need to use starch except perhaps for the finest linens, as linen has built-in crispness. If the linen has already dried out before ironing, use a water spray to re-dampen it. A good steam iron will work best on linen.

Remember you do not have to save Linen for 'Best'. Linen can take any amount of washing and keep coming up for more. They thrive on regular use and regular laundering.

Linen is naturally mothproof safely stored under normal conditions. Slatted shelves will allow air to circulate. Avoid cupboards with heating pipes running through them or cedar linen chests, as these can discolour linen. If by mischance it does become discoloured, wash as soon as possible and dry in the sun to whiten again. Whenever possible, store linen articles without folding. Linen tablecloths store best rolled.

BALLPOINT INK

Hold stain against towel, spray closely from behind with aerosol hair spray. Ink should transfer to towel.

BEVERAGES

Soak in cool water. Re-wash with stain remover. Launder using oxygen bleach.

BLOOD

Immediately rinse with cool water using oxygen bleach. For dried stains, soak in warm water with a product containing enzymes. Launder.

CANDLE WAX

Scrape off as much as possible with dull side of knife, then iron between absorbent paper, changing paper until wax is absorbed. Then treat the left stain as grease.

CHOCOLATE

Pre-wash with product containing enzymes in warm water or treat with pre-wash stain remover. Launder.

COSMETICS

Pre-wash with stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or paste of granular detergent and water or rub with bar of soap. Launder.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Soak in a product containing enzymes for at least 30 minutes (hours for aged stains). Launder.

DEODORANTS, ANTI-PERSPIRANTS

Pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent. Launder. For heavy stains pre-treat with pre-wash stain remover. Allow to stand 5 to 10 minutes. Launder using an oxygen bleach.

EGG

Soak in product containing enzymes. Launder.

FRUIT JUICE

Rinse with cool water.

GRASS

Soak in product containing enzymes. If stains persist, launder using an oxygen bleach.

GREASE SPOTS, OIL

Pre-treat with Fairy washing liquid or liquid laundry detergent. For heavy stains, place stain face down on clean paper towels. Apply cleaning agent to back of stain. Replace paper towels under stain frequently. Let dry, rinse and launder.

INK

Use ink eradicator on undyed, untreated linen.

LEMON, LIME JUICE, VINEGAR

Rinse immediately with cool water.

LIPSTICK

On pure linen, rub with a little salad oil to dissolve lipstick, then launder to remove oil.

MEAT JUICE

Rinse with cool, never hot, water.

PERSPIRATION

Use pre-wash stain remover or rub with bar of soap. If color of fabric has changed, apply ammonia to fresh stains, white vinegar to old stains and rinse. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric.

RED WINE

Cover with salt if stain is fresh, then rinse through the fabric with boiling water.

TOMATO

Rinse with cool water.

WHITE WINE

Use club soda.

CHEWING GUM

Clean with purified petrol, then treat petrol stain as grease.

All Alenska luxury linens are supplied in polyethylene bags. You can order Gift Packaging separately and leave Gift Message to each item separately while check out.

If you are not entirely satisfied with the products that you have chosen you may return them to us within 14 days of receipt. We will offer you an exchange or a refund provided that the products are returned complete, in perfect condition, unused, and with the original packaging.

We reserve the right to withhold a percentage of the refund value of returned goods if the product or packaging is in such a condition that the item needs to be reduced in price for resale.

When returning items you are strongly recommended to obtain proof of posting. We cannot accept responsibility for parcels lost in transit. We will only refund or provide an exchange for the costs of postage where the item returned is faulty.

On receipt of the returned goods, we will give you a full refund of the amount paid for the goods (but not the postage) or an exchange as required.

Please be aware that refunds bought as presents can only be given to the original payer.

When returning goods for which you have received a discount/offer, that discount/offer will no longer apply if you fall below the discount/offer threshold and the refund will be adjusted accordingly.

If goods returned were originally purchased with a gift voucher, we can only offer a credit to your ALЁNSKA account as reimbursement.

In an exchange, if the new item costs less we will reimburse you with the difference. If the new item costs more additional payment will be required. There will be no second postage & packing charge for dispatch of exchanged goods.

All returns should be sent to the following address:

ALЁNSKA
Returns Department
Unit 1
Curriers Close Industrial Estate
Canley
Coventry CV4 8AW

WE only charge shipping at cost. All our carriers shipping costs are charged by weight and based on Royal Mail Signed For rates.

If you require a next day service this can be provided on request. This is charged at cost as well.

If the item is in stock we will endeavour to dispatch as soon as possible. Normally within 3-5 days, depending on the time of the year. If items are required to be fast tracked for a special gift or occasion we will always do our best to help. This may sometimes require a small extra charge.

Creating an account will provide you with some extra services available for your convenience – you can track your order online, see your order history, stock as many shipping addresses as you wish. All this information is manageable when you log in with your email address and password only.

If you want to contact us just click here and fill in the form. We will try to respond to your request as soon as possible, normally within 24 hours.