"The materials we choose for our bedding are important not just for our comfort, but for our planet's health too. By choosing sustainable and eco-friendly options, we can make a positive impact on the environment and our own well-being."
As pandas have been trying to tell us for generations, bamboo is pretty great. As a versatile and sustainable material, it has been used in recent years to make a wide variety of different things more sustainably, including furniture, flooring, kitchenware (bamboo spoons are often used now in coffee shops), clothing and even musical instruments (like flutes).
Bamboo is a renewable resource. Some species grow up to a metre per day, and it needs less water to grow than other crops without pesticides or fertilisers. It is also strong and durable and can withstand heavy use over a long period of time, while being resistant to scratches, dents, and other light damage.
However, while bamboo is well-known as a sustainable material, Tencel is still relatively new to the market and not something that is as widely known for its sustainable properties. Tencel is a natural material made from the wood and cellulose of sustainably harvested Eucalyptus trees, a tree which also grows quickly without the need of irrigation, pesticides or fertilisers.
When it comes to bedding, which material is really the best option for both you and the planet? While both bamboo and Tencel seem to be a solid and sustainable options on the surface, there are some differences between them which we think are important to bear in mind when you’re shopping for your new set of sheets.
We’ve compared Tencel and bamboo to help you find out a bit more about the underdog of bedding materials, and why bamboo might not always be the best choice for you or the planet.
Manufacturing Process
Tencel: Tencel is a type of fabric made from wood pulp cellulose, specifically from eucalyptus trees. The production process for Tencel is a closed-loop system, meaning that the solvents used to break down the wood pulp into fibre are recycled and reused, rather than released into the environment. This closed-loop process (where waste from one stage of the manufacturing process is used as a resource in another stage of the same process) really reduces the amount of waste that’s generated and the amount of chemicals that are released into the environment. Tencel also needs less water and energy to produce compared to cotton or other synthetic fibres.
Bamboo: One of the main issues with bamboo is that the crops are often grown using intensive farming methods that rely on fertilisers and pesticides, which can have negative environmental impacts as well as on the workers doing the processing. The process of turning bamboo into fabric or other materials often involves the use of harsh chemicals, which can also be harmful to the environment. They need to be strictly controlled so they do not pollute the local environment. Unfortunately with Bamboo these controls are often absent.
As well as the use of harsh chemicals in the manufacturing process, the production of bamboo fabric may require a large amount of water and energy, contributing to its overall more negative environmental impact.
Using the land
Bamboo: As bamboo has become more popular as a sustainable alternative to other materials, the demand for it has really increased. This has led to increased deforestation in some areas as farmers clear land to grow more bamboo. Along with that, the transportation of bamboo products from regions where it is grown to regions where it is processed or sold can have a negative impact on the environment due to the carbon emissions associated with shipping.
Tencel: At the moment, there is lower demand for Tencel as it is less commonly used than bamboo. The production of Tencel involves the use of eucalyptus trees, which are grown on land. However, Tencel is considered a sustainable fabric because the eucalyptus trees that are used are grown on sustainably managed farms, meaning that the land is used in a responsible and environmentally friendly way.
Softness
Tencel: Tencel is known for its softness and durability, and its fibres are often compared to silk or cotton. Tencel is often considered softer than bamboo because of its unique manufacturing process. Tencel fibres are produced using a closed-loop manufacturing process, which involves dissolving wood pulp in a non-toxic solvent and then extruding the solution through fine holes to create fibres. This process creates very fine and smooth fibres, which are then woven into a soft and silky fabric.
Bamboo: Bamboo, on the other hand, undergoes a different manufacturing process which involves breaking down the bamboo plant using harsh chemicals, and then spinning the resulting pulp into fibres. This process can sometimes result in a coarser texture than Tencel.
Durability
Fabric pilling is the formation of small, fuzzy balls of fibre on the surface of fabric. It occurs when loose fibres from the fabric surface become entangled and form into small balls or knots, often due to friction or abrasion during wear or washing. It can make clothing look worn and old before its time and can also reduce the fabric's softness and comfort.
Tencel: Some fabrics, such as Tencel, are less prone to pilling due to their smooth surface and high tensile strength. Tensile strength is a measure of a material's ability to withstand a stretching or pulling force without breaking or tearing. In fabric, it refers to the amount of force that a fabric can withstand before it ruptures or breaks. A higher tensile strength means that the fabric is stronger and more durable, and less likely to experience wear & tear over time.
Bamboo: While bamboo is also soft, it can be prone to pilling and may not be as durable as Tencel. When bamboo fibers rub against each other, they can break and pill, especially if the fabric is not of high quality or if it is subjected to a lot of wear & tear. The process of turning bamboo into fabric can also affect its durability and contribute to pilling.
The texture and softness of any fabric can also depend on other factors such as the weave, thread count, and finishing techniques.
Moisture-wicking properties
Moisture wicking refers to the ability of a material or fabric to draw moisture away from the skin and transfer it to the surface of the material, where it can evaporate quickly. This helps keep the skin dry and cool, as it prevents sweat from becoming trapped against the skin. Moisture wicking fabrics are often used in athletic wear and bedding, as they help to regulate body temperature and prevent any discomfort caused by sweat building up.
Tencel: Tencel is highly absorbent and has excellent moisture-wicking properties, making it a great choice for bedding and clothing.
Bamboo: Bamboo is also moisture-wicking, but it may not be as effective as Tencel due to the manufacturing process it goes through.
What’s the verdict?
Overall, Tencel is considered to be a more sustainable and eco-friendly material than bamboo, thanks to its closed-loop manufacturing process, lower environmental impact, and superior softness, durability, and moisture-wicking properties.
While bamboo does have some sustainable qualities, when you consider the entire supply chain and production process, its overall sustainability credentials may not be as solid as they first appear.
Here at Kuroa we make all of our bedding out of Tencel using the most sustainable circular process we possibly can. When we initially tested it against bamboo, we found that it was soft, breathable, and amazingly moisture-wicking, keeping us cool and dry throughout the night. It’s also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, making it more comfortable even for people with allergies.
See if you’re ready to make the switch to sustainable bedding by having a look through all our Tencel-made bedding here.
