Confused if you should purchase TENCEL™ or Cotton Bed Sheet to dress your bed and enjoy ultimate sleep comfort? In this post, we compare the two different bed sheet fabric to help you with your purchase decision. Deciding which bed sheet material suits you is important especially if you are living in a hot climate like Singapore.

There are many options to choose from when buying bed sheets and it can be difficult to know the differences between them. We share the pros and cons between TENCEL™ and Cotton here so you can make an informed choice.

WHAT IS TENCEL™?

Palais Suite TENCEL™ LF Silvery Grey Fitted Sheet Set

TENCEL™ is not only the name of a bed sheet fabric. But it is a brand name owned and trademarked by Lenzing Fibers. Lenzing is located in Austria and most well-known for producing TENCEL™. Another name for TENCEL™ is lyocell. Lyocell is produced from the cellulose of wood from trees such as the sustainably harvested Eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus trees grow quickly without requiring irrigation, pesticides, fertilizers or genetic manipulation and is environmentally friendly.

TENCEL™ is also a type of rayon, very much like viscose and modal. Wood pulp is being dissolved and then dried using a special drying process called spinning. Before drying, the wood chips are mixed with a solvent to produce a wet mixture and this mixture is then pushed through small holes to form threads. The threads are then chemically treated and the lengths of the fibre are then spun into yarn and woven into cloth. The production process of TENCEL™ uses much less energy than conventional cotton. TENCEL™ is biodegradable, unless it has been mixed with other fibres such as nylon. TENCEL™ also requires a lot less dye than cotton and no bleaching is required since it comes out in pure white when produced.

WHAT IS COTTON?

Hotelier Prestigio™ Lucent White With Black Lines Fitted Sheet Set

Everyone knows cotton because we use it from our towels, bed sheets to clothing. Cotton is made from the natural fibres of cotton plants from the genus Gossypium. Composed of cellulose, it is an insoluble organic compound crucial to plant structure. The cotton plant needs lots of sun and long periods without frost and a good amount of water to grow. Cotton is part of the cotton plant that grows in the boll which encases the fluffy cotton fibres. The fibres is spun into yarn and then created into the cotton fabric we all know so well. Conventional cotton is not friendly to the environment as it requires a lot of water, pesticides and is also chemically treated compared to organic cotton. Different length of cotton fibres also decides the smoothness and comfort you feel when you touch the fabric. Long-staple cotton is more durable and comfortable than short-staple cotton.

COMPARING TENCEL™ AND COTTON

Comparing the texture of TENCEL™ and Cotton, the former is much more smooth, silky and soft to the touch. Cotton on the other hand gets softer with washes. The smoothness of cotton also depends on whether it is short-staple or long-staple cotton. TENCEL™ is also less wrinkly and keeps its shape better than cotton in the wash.

When it comes to sustainable production, TENCEL™ beats conventional cotton hands down. Organic cotton is more sustainable but may also be more costly. But when it comes to durability, cotton is easier to maintain and lasts longer than TENCEL™.

Both cotton and TENCEL™ are breathable materials and both wicks moisture making them cool and comfortable for a tropical climate. But TENCEL™ is more efficient in wicking moisture ensuring you get a cool and dry sleep.

So you see, there are different advantages and disadvantages to both materials and it really depends on your budget, and your personal preference. Affairs Living offers a variety of cotton bed sheets such as long-staple cotton and also TENCEL™ for your sleep comfort.

About Affairs Living

Affairs Living is one of Singapore’s leading smart furnishing solutions. Dedicated to helping you create a cosy living space you’d look forward to at the end of the day, our selection of bedding accessories—ranging from quilt covers to fitted sheet sets—can truly provide you with the ultimate sleeping experience. 

Whether you’re looking for an adjustable bed base for the perfect sleeping position or a mattress that can alleviate your back pain, we can be your one-stop solution. Our smart home technology also carries the promise of ending morning grogginess through an AI Function SMART Alarm, head and foot controls, and presetting your favourite positions!

Here at Affairs Living, we have everything you need to make your bedroom feel like a luxury hotel. Grab the best deals, enjoy same-day delivery services and visit our newest showroom to start the most romantic affair of your homeownership journey. Shop now!