Tencel is the brand name for lyocell, a fibre made from the cellulose in wood pulp, mostly from eucalyptus trees. It is produced by the Austrian company Lenzing in a closed-loop process that recovers more than 99% of its solvent. In bedding it is valued for its softness, breathability and moisture management.
What is Tencel fabric?
Tencel is a brand name rather than a type of fibre. The fibre itself is lyocell, made from the cellulose found in wood pulp. The wood is harvested from sustainably managed forests, primarily eucalyptus, though oak and birch are also used. Those trees are grown on farms where pesticide use is negligible and there is no impact on old-growth forests.
What is the difference between Tencel and lyocell?
There is no difference in the fibre. “Tencel” is simply the brand name for the lyocell fibre produced by Lenzing AG, an Austrian company. When you see “Tencel Lyocell” written out, it is the full name for the same material. This matters when you are shopping: certification by Lenzing is one of the more useful things to look for, and a more reliable signal than thread count.
What is Tencel made from?
Wood cellulose. On our bedding that means eucalyptus, which is well suited to the purpose: eucalyptus trees require no irrigation, pesticides or herbicides, which helps maintain soil fertility and supports a healthier ecosystem. The fibre is biodegradable at the end of its life.
How is Tencel made?
The journey from tree to fabric runs in four stages.
- Harvesting. Eucalyptus is sourced from sustainably managed farms.
- Pulping. The harvested wood is converted into pulp using organic solvents. This is the step that gives Tencel its environmental reputation: the solvent is recovered and reused in a closed loop at a rate of more than 99%, which minimises waste and pollutants.
- Spinning. The pulp is dried and transformed into fibres, which are washed, refined and spun into yarn.
- Weaving. The yarn is woven into finished fabric.
That closed-loop production earned Tencel recognition from the European Union in the form of the European Award for the Environment.
How does Tencel feel and behave?
- Soft. Silky to the touch, with a smoothness closer to silk than to a crisp cotton percale.
- Breathable. It regulates temperature naturally, which is why it suits hot sleepers.
- Moisture managing. The fibre is 50% more absorbent than cotton and wicks moisture away from the body, keeping the sleep environment dry.
- Gentle on skin. The smooth fibre surface is hypoallergenic and suits sensitive skin.
- Durable. It resists wear and tear, which extends the life of what is made from it.
Those properties are the reason it turns up in eucalyptus Tencel sheet sets rather than only in fashion fabrics.
How does Tencel compare with cotton?
Cotton is the fabric most people are comparing it against, so it is worth being specific rather than general.
- Moisture. Tencel is 50% more absorbent than cotton, so it is better at moving moisture away from the skin.
- Feel. Tencel fibres are smoother and softer than cotton, giving a silkier surface that often suits sensitive skin better.
- Production. Tencel is made using less water and energy than cotton, and its solvents are recycled in the closed-loop process described above.
- Thread count. Even lower thread count Tencel surpasses high thread count cotton for softness and breathability, which is why the number is a poor guide here.
- Price. Tencel is generally more expensive than cotton, for the reasons in the next section.
What are the drawbacks of Tencel?
A fair answer to “what is Tencel” has to include what it is not good at.
- Cost. It is generally more expensive than cotton and other common textiles, because of the eco-friendly and technologically advanced production process.
- Wrinkling. Some users find Tencel wrinkles more easily than other fabrics.
- Care. It can require more specific care instructions to maintain its texture and durability.
- Availability. It is not as widely stocked as cotton, particularly in blends and unusual weaves, which limits choice.
There is more detail in our fuller look at the disadvantages of Tencel.
How do you care for Tencel?
Tencel is not difficult to look after, but heat is the thing to watch.
- Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent.
- Tumble dry on low, or air dry. High temperatures can cause shrinkage and weaken the fibres over time.
- Remove promptly from the dryer to limit wrinkling.
- Avoid drying with rough fabrics such as towels, which can cause abrasion and pilling.
- Check the care label, since recommendations vary with blend and finish.
Two questions come up often enough to have their own answers: does Tencel shrink when washed, and can you put Tencel in the dryer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tencel a natural or synthetic fabric?
Natural. It is not a synthetic polymer like polyester. It is a natural fibre sourced from sustainably harvested wood pulp, usually from eucalyptus trees, which is also why it breathes better than synthetics do.
Is Tencel good for hot sleepers?
It suits them well. The fibre regulates temperature naturally and is more absorbent than cotton, so it moves moisture away from the body rather than holding it against the skin.
Is Tencel better than linen?
They are different rather than ranked. Tencel is smooth and soft, linen is crisp and textured, and the right answer depends on which you prefer against your skin. We compare them directly in Tencel or linen.
Does Tencel need special detergent?
No. Tencel requires no special detergents, and it is resistant to most damage caused by detergents and other chemicals. Temperature matters more: wash cold and dry on low heat or air dry, since high temperatures are what cause shrinkage.
