Tencel is a natural fabric made from eucalyptus fibers.
This fabric feels like silk , and in terms of strength and elasticity, Tencel is not inferior to and even superior to many other natural materials.
"Tensel" is just a trade name for the fabric, but in fact the material is called lyocell .
But this fact is known only to professionals working in the field of textile production, so the word “tencel” has not only taken root among consumers, but also has several additional pronunciation options in different countries (tencel and tensel).
Production
Manufacturers of such fabric are proud that it is 100% natural , and the production process itself is practically harmless to the environment (for example, the waste that is released into the atmosphere during cotton production is a hundred times more harmful).
But production itself is a very complex multi-stage process:
- First, a mass of wood pulp is produced using eucalyptus wood .
- By pressing the mass through special mesh filters, the manufacturer receives finished threads, which immediately fall into the acidic composition and, thanks to this, their final shape is fixed.
- At the third stage, the threads are dried, which can now be used to weave fabric.
Tencel was developed in the USA , and currently all major manufacturers of this fabric are concentrated in America.
The technologies used by American Tencel producers are waste-free, and eucalyptus trees, which are cut down to obtain wood pulp, are constantly replenished.
But there is one nuance here: manufacturers have to regulate the saleability of products made from such material by setting fairly high prices (for example, an average double (Euro) Tencel bed linen set costs about $250 ).
Otherwise, eucalyptus plantations would not have time to renew themselves.
Bleaching things
If light-colored Tencel fabric items require bleaching when yellowing, then turn to products that provide a soft effect.
It is advisable to use gels with brightening properties when washing:
- The oxygen composition of Lion's effective bleach allows not only to restore snow-white surfaces to textiles, but also to remove unpleasant odors and further disinfect products. Shows good efficiency when washing in warm (not higher than 30˚C) water.
- Vanish Gold Oxi gel, which is active at 30˚, helps remove a variety of stains from white delicate fabrics. It is enough to add it during washing to return things to their pleasant whiteness.
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Bleach Vanish
Gently whitens some types of gel even in cool water. For example, Ace, Wins White Bio Plus, which guarantees complete preservation of the integrity of the fibers.
Advantages and disadvantages
pros
Despite the high cost, Tencel bed linen is in high demand , as it has a number of obvious advantages and benefits:
- 1 This is environmentally friendly underwear that does not have a negative effect on the human body, and is also hypoallergenic ;
- 2 Tencel underwear perfectly absorbs moisture and also quickly removes it - thanks to this hygroscopicity, tencel underwear dries quickly ;
- 3 If we consider all fabrics made from wood fibers, then Tencel ranks first among them in terms of strength ;
- 4 This is one of the few materials that in itself is an unfavorable environment for the development of various microorganisms and bacteria, therefore, even after many years of use, dust mites do not appear in such underwear and fungus does not form;
- 5 The material perfectly allows air to pass through , so it’s not hot to sleep on such linen;
- 6 After washing, Tencel linen does not need to be ironed : just dry it flat;
- 7 Due to the special thermoregulatory properties of Tencel, such underwear is cool in summer , and warm and comfortable in winter.
Minuses
- 1 One of the disadvantages of Tencel bed linen is its susceptibility to shrinkage over time , which is typical for all natural materials.
- 2 Also, Tencel underwear requires special care, and some manufacturers insist exclusively on dry cleaning of their products.
Other non-traditional materials for sewing bed linen
We are accustomed to the fact that cotton and its varieties are used in symbiosis with synthetic fibers for sewing bed linen. But recently, health-conscious people have discovered other artificial and natural fabrics. These are modal, eucalyptus fiber, silk, poplin, seaweed extracts, cashmere, bamboo and some others.
Modal
Modal material: what is it? Modal is a type of viscose obtained from wood fibers of pine, beech, eucalyptus and some other trees. Despite its artificial origin, modal is an absolutely hypoallergenic material for sewing bed linen, clothing and accessories.
Its advantages include high hygroscopicity, low creasing, pleasant tactile sensations and environmental safety. The fabric “breathes”, which makes it ideal for making bed linen and summer clothing. Shrinkage of modal products is 0.5%, which is the minimum indicator for basic fabrics for sewing bed linen.
Eucalyptus fiber
The connection between lyocel, eucalyptus fiber and Tencel lies in the processing technology of the material and the percentage composition of cellulose.
Sometimes manufacturers themselves name their fabric, so you always need to look at the composition of the material. If you are interested in lyocell fabric: what it is, then read about it at the link. Eucalyptus fiber is a rather rare fabric for sewing bed linen. It is not surprising, because these trees grow on only one mainland - Australia.
Bamboo
Bamboo fabric appeared on the market quite recently - in the 20th century. But she immediately gained popularity due to her qualities. Bamboo bed linen is distinguished by its durability, unusual sensations from touching it, hygroscopicity and bactericidal properties. Ideal for summer holidays as bamboo has hollow fibers. In this regard, bedding absorbs and immediately evaporates excess moisture, which creates a feeling of coolness.
Bamboo fiber bedding is very durable. It can withstand numerous washes, which have almost no effect on its properties. Ivanovo bamboo blankets are also in demand: reviews. Read about which fabric is best for bed linen here.
Recommendations for selection
The main sign that Tencel is natural is quite simple: products made from this material are soft and smooth to the touch and have little weight.
In addition, Tencel practically does not stretch or deform .
Currently, there are several leading manufacturers on the Russian textile market, and the fact that these companies produced Tencel underwear is already a guarantee that the fabric is of high quality:
- Asabella (China) is the only non-Russian manufacturer on the domestic market that offers bedding sets at a cost of about half that of US manufacturers;
- “Primavel” - the underwear of this company can either be 100% Tencel or have cotton inclusions. In any case, underwear sets are relatively inexpensive ;
- “Postel Ivanovo” is a popular Russian factory that offers a large selection of Tencel bed linen models in a wide color range and the ability to choose models with different patterns and patterns.
- Famille (China) is a reliable and time-tested Chinese manufacturer.
In our online store you can buy double, euro and family bed linen made from Tencel.
What is Tencel?
Tencel contains wood from eucalyptus trees that grow in Australia. Crushed sawdust is placed in a container with an organic solvent. The resulting mixture is passed through equipment to form threads. Cellulose fiber takes on a snow-white hue. It is perfectly smooth, so it stains well.
The advantage of the production process is that it is waste-free and harmless. Tencel contains only wood, water and organic substances that are recycled. Lyocell production plants do not harm the environment and have significantly lower emissions than cotton production. However, due to the complexity of creation, Tencel has a high cost and is used for sewing premium sets.
Proper care
Products made from Tencel require compliance with certain care rules, and only in this case do manufacturers guarantee long-term use of bed linen:
- to store Tencel products in well-ventilated areas , avoiding direct sunlight on the fabric.
- For some products, only dry cleaning is suitable, but if the packaging indicates the ability to wash clothes in a machine or by hand, it is important to observe the temperature regime ( water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees ).
- Washing and ironing Tencel linen is only permissible if the product is turned inside out, and ironing can be done at a minimum iron temperature .
- The use of powders when washing Tencel is not recommended: only liquid products can be used.
Detergents
Despite the amazing durability of Tencel fabric, it is not recommended to use powdered detergents when washing.
The best option is gel-like detergent compositions, which promote a more gentle effect on the texture of textiles. For dyed products, select the options offered by the manufacturer directly for colored fabrics.
Optimal options:
- The concentrated popular gel from the Lion Thailand brand has a refined floral aroma, softens fabric well, and preserves the brightness of colors.
- The hypoallergenic Gallus gel preserves the integrity of delicate fibers and prevents discoloration of shades.
- For colored textiles, we recommend a gel from the Cotico line, which gives the products a pleasant softness.
- SonixBIO Sensitive gel washes perfectly, providing gentle care, additionally ensuring the preservation of rich shades.
- Provides gentle, safe washing of Persil Gel, after which there are no streaks left and the brightness of the colors is maintained.
Laundry detergents
Gel-like detergents dissolve quickly and without sediment and are easy to rinse, providing the necessary freshness to your laundry.
Photos of sets
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Ironing
Typically, tencel fabric, after drying when spread, retains a smooth, even surface.
However, if small creases or folds are noticed, then the products should be ironed slightly damp, without drying to the final result.
The temperature is set to 150 degrees. Iron things from the inside out, laying them out on a soft horizontal surface. If the bed linen is too dry, it is more convenient to use a steamer.
