Quality linen can last decades with proper care. In fact, in many parts of Europe, it is tradition for families to inherit linen sheets from their parents. That's because while cotton starts to show signs of wear after three to five years, linen is coming into its prime after a couple years of use. The reason it can outlast cotton is due to the cellulose fibres found in flax linen–they're slightly longer and wrapped tighter, which enhances their strength and longevity.