What do you call a collection of sheets and pillowcases and towels?

Answer 1

If towels are included in the collection the Australian term could be 'Manchester'. This word, almost unknown in this sense in England, denotes that most cotton goods were imported from Manchester in Lancashire, England, the heart of the cotton milling industry.

Bedding items would usually be called 'bed linen'. The linen cupboard is where sheets and pillowcases are stored.

Since towels are also stored in the linen cupboard, they could be called bathroom linen, though sheets, pillowcases and towels are more likely to be made from cotton than linen these days.

Linen is the bleached and woven fibre of the flax plant whose linseeds produce oil. Linen seems to be reserved for good tablecloths, table napkins, collectively called 'napery', and clothes that easily crease and need to be well ironed.

The term 'mercery' refers to treated or dyed textiles sold by a mercer, including cotton and calico but more often silk. The treatment improves their texture to make them more suitable for handling and wear.

Possibly the only collective term for textile fabrics and related articles as distinct from hardware or groceries would be 'dry goods'.