The feel and quality of your sheets is a prominent factor in the success of a good night’s sleep. Material, thread count, and weave are often left out when considering which sheets to purchase.
While a bedsheet’s color and design serve as a great starting point, let’s take a deeper dive into two popular choices in sheet thread selections.
Traditional Cotton Bedsheets
Cotton has been the traditional fiber for most bedsheet makers due to it’s durable softness and continuous comfortability. Cotton sheets are made out of natural fibers derived from the seedpod of cotton plants and thus require a heavy water supply. Prices range more extensively than any other fiber due to its widespread availability throughout the United States making it the most popularized choice in bedsheet purchases. While cotton fibers are an excellent choice for starter bedsheet purchasers, they do come with several drawbacks that validate decisions to look elsewhere.
Drawbacks of Traditional Cotton
Being eco-conscious has become an important part of modern consumer behavior. Taking our part in responsible sourcing and production traces back to the bedroom and our fabric choices. Cotton is well known for not being the most eco-friendly as the plant requires a lot of water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides to grow. In contrast to cotton, TENCEL Lyocell is able to capture and recycle over 99% of the water used. Eco-conscious consumers may want to think twice about their cotton selections – especially when presented with higher quality, more sustainable options.
We know that cotton is among the most widespread fabrics available in the United States. This serves as a gift and curse being that consumers are saturated with hundreds if not thousands of bedsheets options. Quality is much harder to spot in these circumstances as most vendors often source from all the same locations. Difficulties in finding quality options may be another reason for which consumers seek bed comfort elsewhere.
What Is TENCEL™ Lyocell?
TENCEL™ is the brand name for lyocell fabric – a type of rayon. 
This means that the fabric is made from regenerated fibers derived from natural materials. The production process of turning these natural materials into fabric means that they are neither fully natural like cotton nor artificial fibers such as polyester and nylon. Instead, it’s non-toxic chemical production process places TENCEL™ fabric in the semi-synthetic category. A unique “closed loop” production process is used. This means that almost all of the solvents are reused in manufacturing and don’t pollute the environment. These solvents are used to break down the wood pulp which are ultimately reformed into fibers used to make< TENCEL™. TENCEL ™ Lyocell sheets are ultra soft and silky with a distinct sheen to them – making them perfect for luxury bedsheet lovers who are also eco-conscious.
The Difference is TENCEL™
TENCEL Lyocell sheets bring much more than just silky smooth comfort and a pride in eco-conscious consumption. Their birth from the eucalyptus tree pulp makes them naturally cooling and comfortable for hot sleepers. The strong regeneration production process also makes them extremely durable and long lasting. Normal cotton fibers trap moisture, sweat and bacteria while you sleep – causing breakouts & dust mites. Because TENCEL Lyocell wicks away moisture 70% better than cotton, they are naturally hypoallergenic. The smooth silky feel of TENCEL™ sheets serves as a perfect choice for people with sensitive skin and acne prone skin.
Lyocell Considerations
The step up in quality when choosing Lyocell sheets comes with a few additional considerations. The environmentally friendly production process behind the sheets typically is more expensive compared to the production process of cotton. A typical TENCEL Lyocell queen size sheet set may run around $100 to $250. While this slight spike in cost may pose sticker shock to some consumers, in addition to being eco-friendly, these sheets offer a wide range of comfort benefits to leave you sleeping blissfully all night long. These are benefits that cotton can’t compete with: temperature regulation, exceptional breathability and moisture-wicking are just a few. Additionally, TENCEL Lyocell fiber sheets don’t need to be washed as often. Their ability to wick moisture away & prevent bacterial growth reduces the washing frequency, however, these sheets do ask for more meticulous cleansing. Be sure to read the washing instructions for your Lyocell sheets. However, most sets are fine with a cold wash on a gentle cycle.
The Difference in Thread Count
Thread count plays a significant part in the smoothness and durability of your bedsheets. Thread count refers to the number of threads that are horizontally and vertically woven per square inch of the fabric. 
A common belief is that sheets made from a higher thread count are better. That is not always true. Sheets made from a higher thread count may pose the false promise of luxurious quality as manufacturers can artificially increase thread counts by incorporating multiple-ply yarn. Multiple-ply yarn can use inferior, course fibers, but they are still advertised as a high thread count and sold as a luxury product. For example, if you look at a cotton fiber under a microscope, it is actually a rough fiber with little prickly spikes coming off the fiber. In contrast, TENCEL Lyocell is perfectly smooth under a microscope. How does this affect the sheets? Well, if you use a rough fiber like cotton, you need to use a lot more fibers to have a final product that feels soft. When using a smooth fiber like TENCEL Lyocell, you get incredibly soft sheets with much fewer fibers. Thus, a 400 thread count TENCEL Lyocell sheet can feel like a cotton sheet with over 1000 thread count. Our 400 thread count BLISS Eucalyptus Sheet Set provides a silky smooth touch and luxurious sheen for the perfect blissful nights sleep.
Final Thoughts
While both cotton and TENCEL™ sheets are indisputably soft, there may be several reasons for why TENCEL™ Lyocell sheets are the better option for you. Having sensitive skin, an eco-conscious mindset, or classifying as a hot sleeper may qualify you as the ideal candidate for TENCEL™ Lyocell sheets. Despite their higher price point in comparison to traditional cotton, these sheets provide a higher grade of quality for your money. The final decision will ultimately come down to your personal priorities, budget, and preferences in colors/texture.
Our BLISS Eucalyptus Sheet Set is a great selection for those seeking the TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers. Sustainably made, these sheets deliver all of the amazing benefits Lyocell has to offer such as the ultra cooling effect, the silky smooth touch, and its hypoallergenic fibers. You can sleep at night enjoying a comfortable and soft rest, while knowing that your sheets are ultimately eco-friendly and safe to the skin.
