TENCEL™ and bamboo bed linen: which is better?

For our bed linen we use a material that is similar to bamboo, namely TENCEL™. But what is TENCEL™ and why is it superior to bamboo? In this article we have summarized the most important differences between the two materials for you.

1. Materials

Both bamboo and TENCEL™ belong to the family of "viscose" fibers. Wood pulp (cellulose) is broken down, processed into fibers and spun into a fine yarn. Bamboo is made from the "stalks" (stems) of bamboo, while TENCEL™ is made from a range of different trees such as eucalyptus, beech, spruce and birch, which come from sustainably managed forests.

2. Sustainability

As a fast-growing plant, bamboo is often associated with sustainability. However, the manufacturing process from plant to textile is problematic. Most fabrics labeled "bamboo" are not made from the original bamboo fibers.
Instead, they are processed into viscose in a "toxic chemical soup" ( B The Change ), including carbon disulfide, which is harmful to both the environment and textile workers (see "Fake Silk" by Paul Blanc, 2016).

The bottom line is that bamboo is not as sustainable as you might think. Fashion brands like Patagonia and Eileen Fisher have stopped using bamboo fabrics altogether.

3. Comfort

Bamboo and TENCEL™ perform very well in the comfort test (see here ). Both feel super soft, are breathable and temperature-regulating, so you can feel comfortable at night.

4. Transparency

One of the greatest benefits of TENCEL™ is the transparency provided by using the brand seal. When producing our bed linen, we go through a certification process with Lenzing, the owner of the TENCEL™ brand, to verify that we use authentic TENCEL™ fibers. This guarantee means that a set of strict guidelines have been followed throughout the supply chain.

There is no central body that carries out this certification for bamboo. In other words, you cannot be sure where the bamboo comes from or under what working conditions it was harvested and processed. In addition, the product can be mixed with polyester or other fibers without this being able to be determined.

Sustainability reports from Lenzing, the owner of the TENCEL™ brand, can be found here .

Further references:

Bamboo fabric is less sustainable than you think

How Viscose Rayon Masquerades as Bamboo

A Scientific Review of Viscose and Lyocell from Bamboo

What is Bamboo Fabric, and is it Sustainable?