There’s nothing worse than having sensitive skin and trying to find bedsheets that won’t feel itchy and uncomfortable. My mom has suffered from eczema for years and finding bedding that doesn’t irritate her skin can be hard. Thankfully, I’ve found the perfect solution for sensitive skin types and those who want bedding that is eco-friendly: Tencel!
Today, I’m going to explain what Tencel is, show you the best bed linen that you can buy, as well as give you a guide on what to look for. Regardless of your budget, mattress size, and color preference, the seven choices, below, are the best Tencel sheets you can buy online today.
7 Best Tencel Sheets Reviews
1. Best Overall: Abripedic Tencel Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: I’ve started off with Abripedic’s Tencel sheet set because they cover all of the areas you would look at when buying sheets like these.
This 4-piece sheet set comes in 5 colors and has a silky soft texture. They are also very absorbent, keeping you dry and free from sweating. These sheets are a top choice for those with allergies and sensitive skin. It’s also easy to remove particles and pet hair if you have pets and stress over hair on your sheets. They do need special care, however, so you need to decide if the comfort factors weigh out over the maintenance factor.
Pros: Absorbent, less expensive than other sheets of this kind, breathable and cool, hypoallergenic, and easy to brush off particles.
Cons: As mentioned earlier, they do need special care and can’t be washed in warm water.
Buy Abripedic’s Tencel 4-pce Sheet Set on Amazon
2. Best Wrinle-Resistant: Stone & Beam Tencel Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: Coming in at a close second for the spot of best overall Tencel sheet is these Stone & Beam 100% Tencel Sheet Set. Understated yet stylish.
For those of you who love the feel of Tencel sheets but don’t want to break the bank, Stone & Beam have a set that is just for you.
These 100% Tencel sheets are wrinkle-resistant and are highly breathable. They have a temperature-regulating effect and moisture-wicking to keep you dry and cool, especially on those hot nights. For those with allergies and sensitive skin, you’ll be happy to hear that these are anti-bacterial and hypo-allergenic, which helps to prevent any bacterial growth on the sheets’ surface. The sheets are lightweight but very durable, with deep pockets on the fitted sheet. The set comes with 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet and 2 standard pillowcases.
Pros: Wrinkle resistant, durable, breathable, soft, and hypo-allergenic.
Cons: Some buyers felt they lacked a good color choice, coming in only 4 plain colors.
Buy Stone & Beam Tencel Sheet Set on Amazon
3. Best for a Thick Mattress: Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Lyocell Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: If you have a thicker than usual mattress or use a mattress topper, you may struggle to find sheets that fit. Sheets & Giggles has the answer for you.
These 400 thread count sheets are made from 100% Eucalyptus, responsibly sourced on sustainable plantations. They are moisture-wicking and breathable, so will keep you cool and dry at night. They are also hypo-allergenic and the fitted sheet has deep pockets for mattresses of up to 20-inches thick. The flat sheet is made 4-inches longer that average sheets, perfect for tucking them in securely. The S & G 100% eucalyptus lyocell sheet set includes 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases.
Pros: A good choice for hot sleepers, sheets are ample in size, eco-friendly, breathable, and they come in a reusable eucalyptus fabric knapsack.
Cons: Some buyers felt they wrinkled too much and they need extra care to keep them nice.
Buy Sheets & Giggles Lyocell Sheets on Amazon
4. Most Wished For: MaloufWoven Tencel Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: Malouf Woven Tencel bedlinens are on most people’s wish list because they are so luxurious feeling and top of the range in Tencel sheets with temperature regulation qualities to sleep cool in the summer and keep you warm in the winter.
This 300-thread count set gives you that refreshing feeling that a good breathable and wicking sheet should do. The woven Tencel fabric has have a sateen weave which makes them extremely soft. They are also perfect for all year round. They are made from botanical fibers from a sustainable source and are eco-friendly. For sensitive skin and allergy sufferers, Malouf’s Woven 100% Tencel bed linen is anti-bacterial and protects against allergens and mites. The fitted sheet has deep pockets to keep them securely on your mattress fitting depths between 6-22 inches. Available in 10 sizes and six neutral colors.
Pros: Supersoft, hypo-allergenic, eco-friendly,moisture-wicking, super-thick elastic on fitted sheet, 5-year warranty, fits almost any mattress thickness.
Cons: The set is noticeably wrinkly (if you care that much about wrinkles), is a little pricey.
Buy Malouf Woven Tencel Sheets on Amazon
5. Best Luxury-Hotel Sheets: Linenwalas Luxury Tencel Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: If you love the feel of hotel crisp sheets, Linenwalas Luxury Tencel Sheets will be a good choice for you.
These 300 thread count sheets 100% Tencel sheets are very soft and comfortable with a luxury feel to them. You’ll think you were sleeping in a 5-star luxury hotel. The fitted sheet is elasticized all the way around and they have deep pockets for a secure fit. The material used is of a high quality and imported from Australia, making them very durable to last for years to come. You also get the anti-bacteria properties that Tencel sheets are known for. They are moisture-wicking and protect against dust mites, allergens, and bacteria.
Pros: 60% more absorbent than cotton sheets, come in a variety of sizes, hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and highly durable.
Cons: Few color choices
Buy Linenwalas Tencel Sheets Set on Amazon
6. Softest: Luxor Linens Valenza Eucalyptus Sheets Tencel Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: Luxor Linen’s wonderfully smooth 800-thread-count Eucalyptus Sheets are durable, comfortable, and just the right weight to give you sweet dreams all year round.
This 4-Piece Eucalyptus sheet set is very soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking so they keep you feeling cool and dry. These sheets are also naturally wrinkle-resistant and are hypoallergenic, making them the best choice for allergy and sensitive skin sufferers. The 800 thread count sheets are made from Eucalyptus and are responsibly sourced from naturally maintained forests that protect the area from overcutting. It comes with 2 Pillow Cases, 1 Flat Sheet, 1 Fitted Sheet and is available in sizes Queen and King.
Pros: Comfortable and soft, very breathable for keeping you cool, virtually wrinkle-free, hypo-allergenic with natural anti-bacterial properties.
Cons: Requires special washing in a gentle cycle otherwise they become pilled and fuzzy, not many size options available.
Buy Valenza Eucalyptus Tencel Sheets on Luxor Linens
7. Most Affordable: Brielle Tencel Sateen Sheets
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What You’ll Love About Them: If you want the luxury of 100% Tencel sheets but are on a budget, Brielle 300 – thread count Tencel sateen sheets bring you the best of both.
What most buyers love about these sheets from Brielle is that they come in a variety of colors and sizes. These 300 thread count sheets are sateen, very soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking. The fitted sheet can cover a 17-inch deep mattress. They have that anti-bacterial property that Tencel sheets are known for, with the ability to protect against dust mites, bacteria growth, and allergens. These are ideal for those of you who have allergies and don’t want to wake up with a blocked nose every morning.
Pros: Light yet durable, hypo-allergenic, easy to care for, less expensive than other Tencel sheets, and have a luxurious feel.
Cons: Some buyers felt material may be too thin.
Buy Brielle Tencel Sateen Sheets Set on Amazon
Buyer’s Guide for Tencel Sheets
Now that we have looked at the 7 best Tencel sheets on the market, let’s have a look at what, exactly, Tencel is.
What is Tencel?
Tencel is actually a brand name for lyocell, a fiber that is known for its super softness, lovely drape, and sustainable manufacturing. Its become a big hit in fashion and is used widely in a number of products. Tencel is referred to as viscose and similar to rayon due to how it is manufactured. A wood pulp is taken and dissolved into a chemical solvent. This is then pushed through an extruder, which forms the fibers used to make the yarn.
Tencel is fiber made from sustainably grown eucalyptus trees.
The difference between rayon and lyocell is that rayon takes a lot more chemicals and energy to produce, both of which are toxic to those who make it, and wasteful. Lyocell uses a chemical that is less toxic, not harmful to the people making it, and it can be recycled to use again. This means there is no waste. The wood that is used comes from forests and plantations that are sustainably harvested.
What Makes Tencel So Popular?
It’s mainly its softness and the way it falls or drapes that makes it so popular in fashion. Where bedding is concerned, it feels much softer than cotton sheets. Lyocell fabric also doesn’t wrinkle as easily as cotton, and it can hold dye well, even vibrant colors. The fabric is very breathable and can manage moisture and regulate temperature, which leaves you feeling cool and dry, even in warm temperatures. It’s these features that make it popular for bedding and clothing.
Tencel can be blended with other fibers as well, such as polyester and cotton. This helps to give things like denim a softer and lighter feel to it.
Is Tencel Considered a Natural Fabric?
The answer to this is yes…and no. Most people see fabrics as falling into two categories; natural, like cotton and wool, and synthetic, like polyester and rayon. Tencel originates from a natural material, which is the wood used to make the wood pulp. However, the finished fiber is considered to be a synthetic, or man-made material. This is why you hear the term regenerated cellulose used in the textile industry, as opposed to synthetic or natural.
Tencel fiber production has many sustainability features, which makes it the top choice for brands that are environmentally conscious. There is less waste in its processing because it recycles the water and chemicals it uses. Then there is the fact that it uses trees from forests that are sustainably harvested.
Sustainably-harvested means the method used for harvesting provides a continuous wood resource supply without negatively affecting future wood yields, and improving them through the use of current harvesting methods. It all works to keep the environment in balance.
Now, some of you may have seen brands using Tencel and referring to it as eucalyptus or tree fiber. However, such fibers don’t exist. Yes, the fibers in Tencel do come from trees, mainly, eucalyptus, beech, spruce, and birch. However, the wood pulp itself has been manufactured into the fiber used for milling.
What to Look for When Buying Tencel Lyocell Bedding
When shopping around for Tencel sheets, you want to look at a few factors, such as breathability, durability, and comfort.
Durability
Tencel fibers have an elastic property to them, making them less likely to break over time. The smoothness of the fabric means less friction when sleeping, so they won’t wear out as fast. Like any sheet, however, the better you care for them, the longer they will last.
Breathability
Tencel sheets are lightweight but they work to keep you both cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A good quality Tencel sheet should have adequate breathability and moisture-wicking to draw sweat and moisture away from you.
Comfort and Feel
More than anything, the sheets you choose need to feel good. Tencel has that super soft texture that is both comfortable and feels as good as silk. The material is less stiff than what you get with new cotton sheets.
Affordability
Who doesn’t want a sheet set that is both affordable and of a good quality? Tencel sheets can cost a bit more, but the comfort factor and durability means you won’t be buying sheets as often.
Who Are Tencel Sheets Good For?
Tencel sheets are good for people with skin sensitivities, skin ailments, and allergies due to their botanical components. They are also good for those of you who are environmentally conscious and want sheets that come from a sustainable source and eco-friendly process.
Who Are Tencel Sheets NOT Good For?
Not everyone likes super soft sheets, with some preferring a more crisp feeling sheet. Also, if you wash your sheets more often than some, these sheets will wear faster. They also need to be washed on gentle cycles and may require more maintenance than some people are willing to handle.
Benefits of Sleeping on Tencel Sheets
Tencel sheets offer a number of benefits, such as being eco-friendly, organic, hypo-allergenic, higher in moisture-wicking than other fabrics, and having a very smooth texture. They are softer than silk, cooler than linen sheets, and have more absorbency than cotton.
Sustainability: One of the biggest reasons that eco-friendly conscious people choose Tencel sheets is their sustainability. The processing uses what is called a closed-loop, which means that the materials used for making the sheets are 100% recoverable, or recyclable. Tencel has been put through a number of toxicological tests and has been considered harmless. They also don’t use a lot of water in the manufacturing process, which is better for the environment. The materials used for Tencel are grown in managed forests and plantations to ensure against over-cutting or depleting the material.
Very Comfortable: One of the key factors in getting a good night’s sleep is having sheets that are comfortable. Because of the fibers used, Tencel is very breathable, allowing for a good flow of air through the pores of the sheets. This gives it better temperature and moisture management to keep you cool and dry at night. They are also able to keep you comfortably warm on cooler nights, making them great for all year round.
Super Hygienic and Skin Friendly: In comparison to other sheets, Tencel is more hygienic. This is due to their ability to wick moisture away, meaning there is less of a chance for bacteria to grow. They are also naturally anti-bacterial and hypo-allergenic. The soft texture won’t irritate sensitive skin or cause skin ailments to flare up more.
Tip: Due to their hydrophilic properties allowing them to draw in more moisture, if Tencel sheets are not properly cared for, they can grow mold on them.
Very Versatile: Tencel isn’t just used for sheets! It’s used in comforters, duvet covers, and clothing too. Other uses are in carpets, towels, diapers, baby wipes, and beverage filters. The fibers are easier to shape and the way the material falls makes it ideal for clothing.
Eco-friendly: Lyocell fibers are made through extracting cellular fibers from the eucalyptus tree. The fibers are created through a spinning process to make yarn. The solvents that are used in this process can be recycled, which means no impact on the environment. The creation of lyocell uses 20 times less water than the manufacturing of cotton.
Tencel vs. Lyocell
The question we came across earlier was, what is the difference between Tencel and lyocell? Tencel is just the brand name of a type of lyocell product. They are both cellulose fibers that are wood-based and are both made from wood pulp. The difference is that Tencel uses wood pulp, usually from eucalyptus trees, and lyocell uses bamboo pulp.
Why Tencel is great fabric for bedding? It is smooth like silk, cooler than linen, but breathes like cotton.
Both Tencel and lyocell use the same closed-loop manufacturing process that won’t impact the environment. They are also both economical in their water usage and energy. Bamboo requires less water for its growing process though, making it a bit more sustainable than Tencel. Also, Tencel can be blended with other fabrics, such as rayon or cotton, and it can be a bit more expensive than lyocell.
Advantages of Using Lyocell/Tencel Fabric
As mentioned earlier, Tencel has a very versatile nature and can be used in a multitude of products, like sheets, towels, clothing, and more. So what makes this fiber better than others for some products.
Texture: Tencel has an elastic texture with a smooth surface. It’s light, soft, breathable, and very comfortable. The durability and elasticity are why it is used in a lot of sportswear, as well as bedding.
Absorbency: Where moisture wicking is concerned, Tencel does a better job than cotton. For sweating issues and for people with sensitive skin that is aggravated by humidity, Tencel is the perfect choice for clothing and bedding. This also makes it good for products in places that have high moisture and humidity because there is less of a risk of bacteria and mold forming.
Flexibility: Tencel has very fine hairs, also referred to as fibrils, on its outer surface, giving it controllable fibrillation. What this means is that it can be made into a number of textures, from silky soft to a suede-like softness. This is one reason why many manufacturers like to work with this fabric.
Eco-friendly: Tencel/Lyocell is biodegradable and by-products are not produced throughout its manufacturing process that can be harmful to your health or that of the planet. The main ingredient, cellulose, is obtained from forests that are highly-managed, and the cultivation of the trees doesn’t need pesticides or irrigation, such as you find with cotton. The solvent that is used for processing, amine oxide, is non-toxic and recyclable, making is reusable over and over in the manufacturing process. The production time of lyocell is quite short, taking about 2 ½ hours from the time the tree is cut down to the fiber being carded.
Tencel vs. Bamboo
Earlier I mentioned Tencel and bamboo with some manufacturers listing their sheets as bamboo lyocell. There really isn’t a huge difference between Tencel and bamboo sheets. They are both super soft, comfortable to sleep in, and better for the environment than other materials, such as silk and cotton. Tencel sheets tend to wrinkle less than bamboo sheets, and bamboo has antifungal properties, where Tencel can grow mildew if not properly maintained. They can both be a bit more expensive in comparison to cotton as well. Tencel/lyocell is made from eucalyptus trees, whereas lyocell/bamboo is made from bamboo trees.
Production
Bamboo
With bamoo harvesting, the plants are cut in a way that allows them to grow again, rather than being destroyed from the root. When it gets to the mechanical processing stage, even though it’s considered environmentally friendly, there are chemicals that are added which are considered toxic in the making of the wood pulp.
Tencel
With eucalyptus, the plants are harvested when in season and no more than 50% of the plant’s leaves are allowed to be harvested for the plant to continue to keep producing. It takes longer to harvest, and more plants are needed in the making of Tencel, however, the production is 100% eco-friendly, no toxic chemicals are used and 99% of the water used is recycled. Tencel wins in this category.
Durability and Care
Bamboo
Bamboo has long strong fibers that make it very durable for sheets. It’s also highly absorbent, which means it won’t discolor from the skins natural oils. Bamboo can also take dye very well, needing less dye to color them and keeping the color vibrant.
Maintenance and care can be a bit much though for some. They need to be washed on their own in warm water, with a fabric softener to ensure their natural fibers remain intact. However, if cared for well, bamboo sheets can last a lifetime. The only downside is that they get very wrinkly.
Tencel Sheets
Tencel sheets are also very strong and durable. They also absorb dyes well and remain vibrant. Tencel wrinkles a lot less than cotton or bamboo, and they have a matte look that doesn’t dull over time. While they should be washed on their own for longevity, they can go in a washing machine on a gentle cycle. It’s also recommended that you line dry them rather than tumble dry them in a machine. I think Tencel wins on this one.
Compared to the competition, both sheets can be expensive. But this is weighed out over the durability and comfort factors, making them more economical in the long-term.
Why Choose Tencel Over Cotton
We can’t really talk about Tencel and not compare it to another fabric that is well-used; cotton. In comparison, cotton sheets are cheaper than Tencel and has been the go-to choice for decades. Tencel and cotton have several differences and which one you choose is down to preference really. Let’s take a look at how they differ.
Tencel vs. Cotton
Comfort
Many feel Tencel is much softer than cotton, and this is down to its smooth surface. The smoother surface makes it less-irritating, even on sensitive skin, whereas with some cotton sheets, you get a rougher feel. Tencel wins the softness category.
Hypo-allergenic
Where hygiene is concerned, both fabrics are hypoallergenic and breathable. The difference with Tencel is that it has better wicking ability than cotton, meaning it absorbs moisture better, reducing the chance of bacteria to grow on its surface. Tencel wins out for its better wicking.
Coolness
Tencel has a hydrophilic quality, making it more effective than cotton at keeping the body cool when sleeping in any climate. If you tend to sleep hot, Tencel may be a better choice for you. Cotton also works to keep you cool in warmer weather and warm in cooler temperatures. They seem to be about even here.
Environmental Impact
Because Tencel is derived from wood pulp, the manufacturing process is more efficient than that of cotton manufacturing. Also, the growing and cultivating of it requires much less irrigation and no pesticides, which cotton does need. So Tencel wins out in the eco-friendly category.
Durability
Unlike cotton, Tencel won’t shrink, lose its weight, or become deformed over time. It also wrinkles less and is pretty easy to wash and maintain. I think it’s more about how well you take care of either when it comes down to it. But with having to wash and iron them less, Tencel sheets do come out on top.
Are Tencel Sheets Healthy?
From a health perspective, Tencel sheets are a much healthier options than other sheets, which we’ve briefly covered throughout this article. From an environmental health perspective, they are quite healthy. From growth to manufacturing, Tencel uses very little in the way of chemicals. It requires no pesticides and the only solvent used is non-toxic, reusable, and creates no by-products. So its a very healthy option for the environment.
As for human health, Tencel sheets are hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial, and non-irritating. They are better for those who have skin ailments, sensitivities, and allergies because dust mites, bacteria, and allergens are repelled by the material.
So, if you have allergies and wake up each morning with a stuffed up nose, Tencel sheets may sort that out for you. If you have skin issues such as psoriasis or eczema that get irritated by regular cotton bed sheets, Tencel sheets may give you a more comfortable night’s sleep. The fact that they are organic in nature and have no harmful chemicals in them also means you won’t be sleeping in sheets that have unnatural substances in them, which could seep into the skin when you sweat.
How To Wash Tencel Sheets
Tencel has a fine texture that can be maintained for quite some time if cared for the right way. Some manufacturers suggest hand washing for some Tencel items that are 100% Tencel. With sheets, you need to wash them on a gentle cool cycle on their own. They can also be dried on a low setting, but it is advisable to let them line dry.
Tip: There are some garments, which are 100% lyocell than can't be washed or dried in a machine. This is because lyocell fibers that are fully wet will lose nearly 50% of their tensile strength, causing them to tear
For ironing Tencel sheets, use the lowest setting you have that will also produce steam. Never go higher than a medium setting, as this can scorch the fabric.
Best Tencel Bed Sheets: The Takeway
Are Tencel sheets better for people with sensitive skin and allergies? The answer is yes! They are also the best choice for those of you who want to be more environmentally conscious. These sheets can be used throughout the year as well, so you don’t have to buy separate sheets for winter use.
I personally like the Sheets & Giggles Tencel sheets because I have a big mattress topper and these fit perfectly. They are also so soft and, me being the hot sleeper that I am, keep me nice and cool all night. I hope this guide and information helps you to find the best Tencel sheets for you, and get a better night’s sleep.
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