Tencel vs Cotton Difference: Is Tencel Better Than Cotton?
Tencel is supposed to be the new king of fabrics dethroning cotton from its lofty perch. That is a hard chore to perform but Tencel seems to be up to the task. But cotton is not taking the challenge lying down. It has a few tricks up its sleeve still.
As you already know, cotton has been a go-to fabric for almost 8,000 years. Archaeological discoveries going back to 6000 BC have found cotton fabrics in use. Tencel is the new kid on the block which enjoys new techniques that help make it a better fabric but maybe not as good as cotton.
To learn which fabric is better, just continue to read our article. It provides a head to head comparison that should help you learn a thing or two about these fabrics. It is a close competition as Tencel has the help of modern manufacturing techniques, but then so does cotton.
Tencel vs Cotton 101
Differences Between Tencel and Cotton
When you are in a rush to get the kids off to school, you may not have time to read the whole article detailing the differences between these two fabrics. Here is a quick comparison chart that lets you see those differences fast and keeps you on schedule.
| Category | Cotton | Tencel |
| When first used | Approx. 6000 BC | Created in 1972 |
| Origin | The cotton plant | Eucalyptus trees & chemicals |
| Softness | Extremely high | Very high |
| Hypoallergenic | Very good | Very good |
| Application | Medical, clothing, and other industries | Mostly clothing, carpet, towels, etc. |
| Water use | Heavy | Extremely light |
| Breathability | Very good | Very good |
| Laundry care | Shrinks, wrinkles but easy to care for | Resists shrinking and wrinkles and easy to wash |
| Price | Very affordable | Can be very expensive |
| Biodegradable | Yes | Yes |
| Durability | Some cotton sheets are known to last 50 years | Very durable |
Keep in mind that Tencel is more like rayon or viscose in that it comes from wood chips and then chemicals are added to give those fibers their qualities. Cotton comes by its qualities naturally.
Is Tencel More Breathable Than Cotton?
Some people say that Tencel is more breathable than cotton. The reason for that statement is that new manufacturing techniques have found a way to make the shorter fibers more comfortable and more breathable.
Cotton is an excellent fabric for breathing and it is hard to beat it. But in sheets and clothing, people tend to say that Tencel has the upper hand here. This fabric also tends to wick away moisture as you sleep. That is good if you are a night sweater.
This doesn't mean that cotton does not breathe well or keep you cool at night. It is just that fiber manipulation, in some cases, makes Tencel above average and a little better than cotton in this comparison.
It is possible that Tencel also absorbs more moisture than cotton does but cotton’s 24 to 27 times its weight absorption rate is fairly hard to beat. But since cotton comes in so many different fabric types it is hard to get an accurate picture of the two materials.
Some cotton varieties, like Pima or Egyptian, tend to excel and trump Tencel in all categories, making it hard to get an accurate picture of quality and which fabric is actually better.
Is Tencel or Cotton Cooler?
There are a lot of people advocating for the superiority of Tencel over cotton. It could be that the company is hyping its product and inflating its abilities to make more sales. Or it is simply that they have found a way to make a better fabric than cotton.
Tencel is made with some natural materials which help it be as good as cotton. There is no question about that. In some people’s minds, Tencel is cooler than cotton and performs better against regular cotton fabrics. When it comes to the higher grades of cotton material Tencel doe snot seem to be able to compete as well.
Then cotton is able to manage body temperature quite well. It holds its own against Tencel here as that fabric helps make sure you do not overheat as you sleep. What we are saying here is that in the end, it will be up to you and your personal preferences as to which fabric is cooler.
They are that close in competition and you shouldn’t be disappointed when using either fabric on your bed or in your clothing. Try one set of each to make your own comparison and see which fabric works best for you.
Tencel vs Egyptian Cotton
The latter of the two fabrics is supposed o be the creme de la creme of cotton types. It is made in such a way that this material can last you up to 50 years and be soft and comfortable for every day of those 50 years. Tencel can be durable but most cotton fabrics improve over time whereas Tencel does not have that ability.
Plus, Egyptian cotton is very soft and reaches comfort levels that Tencel only hopes to reach. Both fabrics should breathe well and keep you cool but with its higher standards, Egyptian cotton seems to have the winning hand.
When made into bedsheets, both fabrics come in high thread counts so you are getting the best both fabrics have to offer. Where most people make their comparison is on the environmental impact of both materials.
The processing of Tencel seems to use a lot less water than cotton needs to be turned into fabric. Then the supporters of Tencel keep saying that eucalyptus trees are a renewable resource forgetting that the cotton plant is as well.
Manufacturing has gotten so good, you may find it hard to tell which of these two fabrics is better.
Tencel vs Cotton Clothing
The makers of Tencel material is trying very hard to make their product superior to cotton and make it the fabric of the future. They are using all that modern technology can provide upgrading the fabric as best as they can. This effort can be seen in the durability of the material as well as the breathability, strength, and even comfort.
But cotton manufacturers are not letting that technology go by without applying it to their product. In other words, we are seeing a fabric war and which one comes out on top will be the result of sales more than anything else. The two fabrics are that close.
Some will prefer cotton clothing while others will prefer their clothing made from Tencel. Which clothing items are best will be decided on personal preference and versatility of use. Cotton has more uses and can be made into some very fine formal clothing.
It can also be made into some very comfortable casual clothing that only gets better with time. While Tencel resists shrinking, wrinkling, pilling, and is as easy to care for as cotton is, cotton still has the edge because of its multiple applications.
What it boils down to is your pocketbook and if you can afford Tencel materials to make your great, creative clothing items.
Tencel vs Cotton Towels
This is a category where Tencel should come out on top. The fabric is made to be very absorbent while maintaining its softness. Towels made from this material are very soft next to your skin and they will dry faster than cotton towels will.
Then this material will be able to withstand the rigors of repeated washing and drying in your machines. Sometimes cotton will wear thin when put through too many washes and it can get rougher if not washed properly.
While cotton does improve with time, Tencel fabrics seem to hold on to its top characteristics better than cotton will. With its resistance to shrinking, pilling, and wrinkling, you may enjoy having Tencel towels in your laundry as your workload gets a little lighter.
Where cotton will trump Tencel in this category is in the price of both. Cotton remains cheaper to produce so its retail cost will be cheaper. If you are on a tight budget, cotton is always there to help you stay within those financial boundaries.
Tencel vs Cotton Sheets
Tencel will probably beat regular cotton sheets in breathability, comfort, softness as well as durability but that is the nature of manufacturing not the result of natural processes. When you compare Tencel to Pima or Egyptian cotton then it is hard for the former fabric to beat out those high-class cotton types.
Both fabrics will protect you from bacteria as they both absorb moisture well and let your body breathe easily. When it comes to durability, do not expect Tencel sheets to last you as long as Pima or Egyptian cotton sheets.
It is difficult to beat out the strength that can last up to 5 decades. But like all comparisons, it will be up to your personal preferences and how much you want to spend. Tencel will be more expensive than regular cotton but about equal when it comes to purchasing those higher-end cotton varieties that last a long time.
Tencel vs Cotton Yarn
Both fabrics dye well and hold that new color very well. They are easy to dye and both should not lose their strength as they go through the dyeing process. As for durability and other properties, Tencel may have the edge here.
Being made into yarn does not mean that Tencel or cotton lose what is good about both fabrics. What may make you reconsider using Tencel over cotton is how the two materials are made. Cotton is a purely natural fiber while Tencel is said to be a regenerated fiber.
That process includes using solvents to make the fibers and get Tencel to the levels it owns. That inclusion of solvents may have you thinking twice about the quality of Tencel yarn. Cotton yarn is also much cheaper than the Tencel version.
The cost is always a factor when looking at using different yarns than you have in the past. Also, how user-friendly that yarn is will influence your decision in which one to use in your next project. Both are good yarns to work with and use.
Is Tencel Better Than Cotton?
In some people’s minds, Tencel is better than cotton. Then in other people’s minds cotton is better. That opinion may be due to familiarity with cotton than anything else. They have grown up with cotton as have their parents and grandparents thus nothing beats that material.
There is nothing wrong with that attitude as cotton is a very good fabric that has been king for more generations than anyone can count. Tencel is a good competitor and its semi-natural origin helps provide it with properties that are on par with cotton.
To find out which is better, you should spend the money and buy a set of towels, sheets and some clothing made from both materials and see for yourself. We just do not like the fact that chemicals are used in the processing of Tencel.
The fewer chemicals the happier we are. Whether those chemicals and solvents are toxic or not remains to be seen. The fewer chemicals next to your body the healthier you should be. That is our opinion on which is better.
Both are good fabrics which can last as well as keep you comfortable.
Some Final Words
There is no doubt that Tencel is a very good fabric and its recent existence does not bring a mark against it. Technology is always seeking to improve on existing products and they may have a winner with Tencel.
Yet, cotton is not knocked off its top perch as it is made into some very fine fabrics that bring a new meaning to the term excellence. In other words, what we are saying is that you have to try both for yourself and make your own decision as to which fabric is king.
