TENCEL lyocell feels smooth, soft and cool to the touch, with a fluid drape that falls close to the body. It has none of the crisp, papery feel of a new cotton sheet and none of the fuzz of a brushed fabric. When you first slip into a TENCEL bed it feels pleasantly cool, then it settles to your body temperature without turning clammy, and it gets softer with every gentle wash. This guide explains why TENCEL feels the way it does, how it compares with other bedding fabrics, and what to expect from our eucalyptus TENCEL sheet sets, duvet covers and pillowcases.
The short answer
- Smooth. The surface is even and fine, so it glides rather than catches.
- Soft. Soft in the way a well worn favourite shirt is soft, from the first night.
- Cool to the touch. It feels cool when you get into bed and stays dry rather than damp as the night goes on.
- Fluid. It drapes and follows the shape of your body instead of standing away from it.
- A soft sheen. It has a gentle lustre rather than a shine, which is why it looks smooth even on a made bed.
Why TENCEL feels the way it does
TENCEL lyocell is made from eucalyptus wood pulp, dissolved and spun into new fibres. Those fibres are long, fine and very even along their length, with a smooth surface. Fewer loose fibre ends sit on the surface of the fabric, so there is less to catch on skin and less to feel as texture. That is the main reason TENCEL feels smooth and soft without any brushing or coating.
The fibre also handles moisture well. It takes up the small amount of moisture your skin gives off during the night and lets it go again, rather than leaving it sitting against you. That is why TENCEL feels cool and dry, and why it suits people who run warm at night. If you want to see how it compares for temperature, this comparison of the coolest sheet fabrics goes into more detail.
Is TENCEL soft?
Yes. Most people describe TENCEL as softer and smoother than everyday cotton. The softness comes from the fibre itself, so it does not wash out the way a softener finish does. It is not slippery, though. You will not slide around on a TENCEL fitted sheet, and a duvet in a TENCEL cover stays where you put it.
If softness is your first priority for the top of the bed, our guide to the softest duvet cover materials compares seven fabrics side by side.
Is TENCEL cool to the touch?
Yes, and this is the quality people notice first. The smooth surface touches more of your skin than a textured fabric does, and the fibre draws heat and moisture away as it does, so it feels cool when you get in. It does not stay cold. Once you are settled it feels close to neutral, and because it keeps moisture moving, it avoids the warm, sticky feeling some fabrics have by the middle of the night.
In winter, TENCEL sheets feel cool for the first moment and then comfortable under a warm duvet. The warmth of a bed comes mostly from the duvet or blankets on top, so a TENCEL sheet with a good duvet sleeps well all year.
How TENCEL drapes
Drape is how a fabric hangs and moves. TENCEL has a fluid drape: a flat sheet falls in soft folds over the edge of the mattress, and a duvet cover settles over the insert instead of sitting stiffly on top of it. Crisp fabrics such as cotton percale hold their own shape and tent away from the body; TENCEL follows it. Many people find that this is what makes a TENCEL bed feel cosy and calm rather than starchy.
Our sheets are woven at 300 thread count. TENCEL does not need a very high thread count to feel smooth, because the fibre is already fine and even. For what weight and thread count tell you about bedding, see our guide to GSM in bedding.
How TENCEL compares with other bedding fabrics
| Fabric | How it feels | Temperature | Drape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton percale | Crisp, matte, light | Cool | Stiff, holds its shape |
| Cotton sateen | Smooth with a sheen | A little warmer | Soft |
| Linen | Textured and crisp, softens over years | Cool | Relaxed, creases easily |
| Brushed cotton and flannel | Fuzzy and soft | Warm | Soft, bulky |
| Microfiber | Soft, slightly synthetic | Warm | Soft |
| TENCEL lyocell | Smooth, soft, gentle sheen | Cool to the touch, stays dry | Fluid, follows the body |
Feel is personal. If you love the snap of a hotel style sheet, percale will feel familiar; if you want a bed that feels smooth and cool from the first night, TENCEL is the one to try.
Does TENCEL get softer with washing?
Yes. TENCEL relaxes and softens over the first few washes and keeps that softness, as long as it is washed gently. Wash cold, use a mild liquid detergent, skip fabric softener, which only coats the fibre, and tumble dry low or line dry. Rough washing with towels on a hot cycle can raise a light fuzz on the surface; this guide explains how to keep TENCEL smooth. TENCEL can crease a little straight out of the dryer, and a few simple habits keep it smooth.
What it feels like across the bed
- Sheets. The fitted sheet is where you feel TENCEL most: smooth and cool under you all night. Our sheet sets have 18 inch deep pockets and corner straps, so the fitted sheet stays taut and smooth on mattresses up to 20 inches.
- Duvet covers. A eucalyptus TENCEL duvet cover drapes over the insert and feels light against you, while eight corner loops keep the insert from shifting inside.
- Pillowcases. A smooth, cool surface against your face and hair, with a deep envelope closure and no zip. See our pillowcase pairs.
How to judge the feel when you shop online
You cannot touch sheets through a screen, so read the label. Look for 100% TENCEL lyocell rather than a blend, because blends with polyester feel less smooth and sleep warmer. Look for an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate, which every ArthCrafted product carries. And do not judge by thread count alone. Our guide to spotting good quality sheets covers what else to check.
Questions people ask
Is TENCEL softer than cotton?
Most people find it softer and smoother than everyday cotton, and smoother than linen. A good cotton sateen is closer in feel, though it sleeps a little warmer.
Is TENCEL slippery?
No. It is smooth, not slippery, so you do not slide on the fitted sheet and pillows stay put.
Does TENCEL feel cold in winter?
It feels cool for a moment when you get in, then comfortable. Pair it with a warm duvet and it suits a Canadian winter as well as a summer night.
Does TENCEL feel different after a few years?
It feels softer, not rougher, if it is washed cold and dried low. Well cared for TENCEL sheets last for years.
Are there any downsides to how TENCEL feels?
If you love a crisp sheet, TENCEL can feel too fluid at first. It also asks for gentle care. For the full picture, see the disadvantages of TENCEL.
Every ArthCrafted sheet set comes in Queen and King, with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet and two pillowcases, woven at 300 thread count from 100% eucalyptus TENCEL lyocell. Shop eucalyptus TENCEL sheet sets.
