Key Takeaways
- Cool and Breathable Material: Tencel is a natural and sustainable fabric known for its exceptional breathability. It allows air to flow freely and wicks away moisture, making it an excellent choice for hot sleepers and those living in warmer climates. Tencel helps prevent overheating during sleep, ensuring a more comfortable night’s rest.
- Types and Benefits of Tencel: There are two primary types of Tencel—Tencel lyocell and Tencel modal. Tencel lyocell is commonly used in bedding due to its strength and breathability, while Tencel modal is often found in apparel. Tencel offers several advantages, including breathability, durability, a luxurious appearance similar to silk, and hypoallergenic properties. Perfect for those with sensitive skin and hot sleepers.
- Environmentally-Friendly Material: Tencel is derived from sustainably sourced eucalyptus trees and is produced using an eco-friendly process. This material requires less water and energy compared to cotton, and it can be recycled using REFIBRA™ technology to minimize waste. Additionally, Tencel is biodegradable, making it an environmentally responsible choice for bedding.
If you’re a hot sleeper or live in a warmer climate, you want bedding that enables good airflow and feels cool. Breathable materials won’t trap as much heat, so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep and avoid overheating.
One natural cooling material is Tencel. Tencel is highly breathable and wicks away moisture, so you don’t wake up sweating. In our article, we share everything there is to know about Tencel—what it is, benefits of sleeping with Tencel bedding, and how it’s made.
Luxury Linens
Made With Soft Bamboo
& Silky Tencel
What is Tencel?
Tencel is a sustainable fabric owned by Australian company Lenzing AG. It was first developed back in 1972.
There are two types of Tencel: Tencel lyocell and Tencel modal. Tencel lyocell fibers combine cellulosic fibers with other textile fibers, including cotton and polyester, to enhance the fabric’s properties. Tencel lyocell is stronger, more breathable, and commonly found in many bedding brands.
Tencel modal fibers follow the same production process as Tencel lyocell, except the threads are thinner and softer to the touch. You’re more likely to see Tencel modal in apparel. Today, Tencel is one of the most popular fabrics in both bedding and clothing.
Benefits of Tencel
Tencel’s softness and breathability make it stand out. Tencel also drapes nicely over the mattress and holds vibrant dyes well, with little risk of bleeding in the washing machine. Plus, Tencel is hypoallergenic and won’t irritate those with sensitive skin.
Breathability
Tencel is naturally breathable, so air can flow in and out of the material and prevent heat retention. Tencel also wicks away moisture and dries quickly, a nice feature if you’re prone to night sweats.
Durability
Tencel is more durable than organic cotton. Some cotton fabrics shrink in the wash; however, Tencel won’t lose its shape. Also, Tencel tends to feel softer after every wash.
Appearance
Tencel looks and feels like silk. The material has a slight sheen and feels soft to the touch. Tencel is also less likely to wrinkle than cotton and has a beautiful drape across the bed.
Hypoallergenic
Not only is Tencel soft, but the natural fiber doesn’t irritate sensitive skin—making for high-quality hypoallergenic sheets. Also, Tencel’s moisture-wicking properties ensure the fabric is less susceptible to bacteria growth. Bacteria growth could otherwise lead to an unpleasant odor and allergic reactions, like sneezing and coughing.
How is Tencel Made?
Tencel is an environmentally-friendly material created from sustainably-sourced eucalyptus trees. It’s made using a unique drying method called spinning, using eucalyptus wood pulp. The ground pulp is mixed with a chemical solvent, which is then pushed through small holes in a spinneret nozzle to create wood cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers are chemically treated before they’re spun into thread and woven into a fabric.
Environmental Impact
Tencel is made from sustainably managed eucalyptus plantations. Eucalyptus trees can grow up to 100 feet within ten years. Plus, the constant harvest and growth of these trees won’t degrade the soil.
Like cotton, Tencel is made from plant materials; however, unlike cotton, Tencel requires less water and uses less energy. Companies can recycle and reuse unused materials through REFIBRA™ technology to create Tencel fibers, so there’s less waste. Also, since Tencel is a naturally-derived fiber, it’s biodegradable.
Choose Amerisleep Tencel Sheets
If you’re interested and looking for a high-quality Tencel sheet set, look no further than our Amerisleep Tencel Sheets. The softness of our Tencel eucalyptus sheets is rivaled by no other. The sleek and smooth material feels cool and inviting, unlike some cotton brand names which may feel rough and scratchy.
Our Tencel sheet set is sewn with our patented Smarty-BandZz®, a system that prevents the material from wrinkling and bunching up during the night. Our Tencel is also sustainably-sourced from sustainable eucalyptus tree farms. You don’t have to worry about chemical residue, because farmers don’t use pesticides in the soil.
The sheet set includes a fitted sheet, an oversized flat sheet, and two pillowcases (one pillowcase for twin and twin XL sizes).
Prices of Amerisleep Tencel Sheets
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Twin | $155 |
| Twin XL | $190 |
| Full | $215 |
| Queen | $230 |
| King | $275 |
| California King | $275 |
| Split King | $315 |
Alternatives to Tencel
Bamboo and cotton are both popular alternatives to Tencel sheets. They are both naturally cooling and can feel quite soft against the skin. Unless a sleeper is specifically allergenic to the fibers, they are popular choices when shopping for hypoallergenic sheets.
Along with our Tencel sheet set, we offer cotton and bamboo sheets so shoppers have their choice of material when choosing their next luxury sheet set.
Quick Guide: A 30-Second Summary
| Best Cotton Sheets | Amerisleep Cotton Sheets |
| Best Bamboo Sheets | Amerisleep Bamboo Sheets |
FAQs
Is Tencel better than cotton?
For potential customers looking for a sheet set that’s cooler and softer than cotton, Tencel may be the perfect solution. Unlike cotton, Tencel is more durable and able to withstand regular washing without shrinkage or losing its shape. Tencel and cotton sheets are both ultra-soft, but Tencel feels cooler to the touch.
Is Tencel good for hot weather?
When the weather starts warming up, it’s good to have bedding made from breathable materials. Tencel is an excellent solution. This material is spun into yarn and then woven into a fabric that is highly absorbent and breathable. Tencel is also an excellent choice if you’re a hot sleeper because its cool fibers make you less likely to wake up with uncomfortable night sweats.
Does Tencel shrink when washed?
Tencel fabric may slightly shrink when machine washed for the first time. After that first wash, the material resists shrinkage and maintains its original shape. Other bedding materials, including cotton and wool, may shrink more during the first wash and may continue shrinking every time you wash your sheets.
How long do Tencel sheets last?
If properly taken care of, Tencel sheets can last at least ten years. Regularly washing your Tencel sheets every week can ensure a long lifespan. Otherwise, the sheets will give off a bad odor, start to fray at the edges, and develop stains.
Are Tencel sheets better than bamboo sheets?
Bamboo, or viscose rayon, is another popular bedding material, like Tencel and organic cotton. Similar to Tencel, bamboo sheets are made from cellulose fibers from bamboo instead of eucalyptus. While bamboo sheets are softer than cotton, Tencel tends to feel silkier. Tencel sheets are also better at wicking away moisture, a feature that hot sleepers can appreciate.
Conclusion
Although Tencel and cotton are naturally breathable, Tencel might be the better option for particularly hot sleepers because it’s more cooling. Tencel is more durable and eco-friendly than cotton. Plus, the material is softer and less likely to wrinkle compared to cotton. If you want a long-lasting Tencel sheet set you can curl up in bed with, then our Amerisleep Tencel Sheets are the perfect option.
About the author
Sanchita Sen is a full-time writer focusing on the sleep health and mattress industry. She is a former journalist who has written numerous articles on the healthcare sector. Some of the topics she has covered include how to lucid dream, fever dreams, melatonin for sleep, and best gel memory foam mattress. Sanchita holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Convergence Institute of Mass Media and Information Technology Studies. She is also a published author, who seeks inspiration from both real life and the world of fiction.
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