Ah, menopause. The time in your life when it’s hot one minute and cold the next. It’s enough to make you need a complete wardrobe makeover just to keep up with the mood swings. But why stop there? Other key areas in your home may also benefit from an upgrade, like your bed linen!
Tencel or cotton? This age-old dilemma can be a difficult decision, especially when choosing the best bed linen for menopause relief. Sure, both Tencel and cotton are soft and lightweight—but what about temperature regulation for hot sleepers? Antibacterial property for itchy night sweats?
In this article, we’ll look at how these two fabrics stack up in terms of durability, absorbency, breathability, and more so you can find out which one is right for you. So grab your favourite cuppa (or whatever beverage helps you get through those dreaded hot flushes), and let’s dive into the world of tencel vs. cotton bed linens.
What is Tencel Bed Linen?
Tencel bed linen is made from 100% natural cellulose fibre derived from sustainable eucalyptus trees. This fabric has a luxurious, premium quality feel and is highly absorbent – ideal for menopausal women experiencing sleeplessness and insomnia due to hormonal imbalance.
Benefits of Tencel Bedding
- Incredibly durable, silky smooth, and stays cool-to-the-touch throughout the night.
- Allows air to circulate, reducing moisture build-up during menopausal hot flushes.
- Absorbs moisture quickly, making it the perfect choice for menopausal night sweats.
- Antimicrobial properties make it resistant to dust mites and other irritants.
- Eco-friendly, sustainable production process utilises less energy and water. Making it a great choice not just for you but also for our planet.
Drawbacks of Tencel Lyocell
- It can be more expensive than other fabrics.
- Though it is easy to care for, cold-washing on a gentle cycle is recommended.
What is Cotton Bed Linen?
Cotton bed linen is made from natural cotton fibres woven into fabric. This bedding material is durable, breathable and soft to the touch – making it a good choice for menopausal women looking for affordable, comfortable bedding that’s easy to care for and comes in range of designs and patterns.
Benefits of Cotton Bedding
- Strong fabric that withstands regular wear and tears.
- Absorbent and soft against the skin, making it comfortable to sleep in.
- Widely available and accessible for most budgets than other fabric materials.
- Offers a variety of design options, from bold patterns to subtle colours.
- Easier to clean the bed sheets in the washing machine with hot water.
Drawbacks of Cotton Fabric
- Prone to wrinkling, shrinking and pilling if not cared for properly.
- High environmental impact due to fertiliser use and a large amount of water during production.
The Difference Between Tencel vs. Cotton Bed Linen
Though both bed sheet fabrics are made from natural fibres and are highly breathable and soft, some key differences make the other a better fit for women suffering from menopausal symptoms.
For menopausal women who tend to wake up in the middle of the night feeling hot and sweaty, Tencel bed sheets may be a better choice than cotton blends.
Thermoregulation
With its unparalleled temperature and moisture management, Tencel fibres are designed to absorb and release sweat efficiently. This allows air to flow freely through the fabric for better breathability—50% more than cotton!
Best of all, these lyocell cellulose fibres have a higher vapour uptake than other fabrics. This means that Tencel bed linen can keep you cool during summer nights and warm in winter for a more restful sleep.
Moisture Management
The purpose of moisture-wicking fabrics is to move moisture away from the skin and to the top of the fabric, where it can evaporate. These fabrics generally have a special treatment or weave that encourages the spread of moisture over a bigger surface area, promoting faster evaporation. This process helps to keep the wearer cool and dry, making moisture-wicking fabrics ideal for people who tend to sweat a lot during sleep.
Instead of drawing moisture away from the skin, moisture-absorbing fabrics are made to collect and hold it. The high absorbency rate of these fabrics allows them to retain a lot of moisture without feeling damp or uncomfortable. By trapping heat close to the body and acting as insulation, moisture-absorbing fabrics can help regulate body temperature, making them the perfect choice for people who frequently experience cold spells while sleeping.
In summary, moisture-wicking fabrics pull moisture away from the skin and promote evaporation, while moisture-absorbing fabrics absorb and retain moisture to provide insulation and regulate body temperature.
Cotton bed sheets can quickly become damp due to sweat and body moisture, making you feel clammy and unhygienic.
However, Tencel lyocell has superior moisture-wicking properties that keep your bedding dry all night long. This is because the microscopic fibrils in lyocell absorb 100% excess body moisture in 20 seconds and release it into the air efficiently, keeping you sweat-free and reducing hot flushes.
On the other hand, cotton only absorbs 16% to 19% of sweat in 3 minutes, which may leave you feeling hot in bed, sticky and uncomfortable.
Sleep Quality
While cotton bed linen is soft and durable, it may not provide the same level of comfort for menopausal women. According to a sleep study, Tencel bed linen demonstrates a significantly higher autonomic sleep quality index than cotton and polyester.
This indicates that Tencel lyocell helps you fall asleep faster, stay in deep sleep for longer and increase overall slumber quality. Furthermore, its softness and cooling properties make it ideal for women suffering from insomnia and those who wake up at 4 am (or even earlier) and can’t go back to sleep due to night sweats and hot flushes.
Anti-Bacterial Property
If you hate the smell of sweat and cleaning your bed linen every week, Tencel sheets are a great option. Its natural antibacterial properties greatly reduce the presence of microbes on the fabric (the bacterial growth is up to 10 times lower than cotton), preventing infections and skin irritations.
Cotton does not have these same anti-bacterial qualities, so you may be at risk of bacterial growth, which can lead to unpleasant odours and fabric discolouration. However, both fabrics are hypoallergenic and suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Durability
Throwing the duvet off and on when you want to feel cool and dry can cause wear and tear! Tencel bed linen is highly durable compared to cotton as it resists wrinkling, colour fading, and thinning.
In comparison, cotton is tough but tends to be more prone to pilling and shrinkage. Plus, the colour of cotton bedding may fade with time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Both fabrics can become softer with age, but Tencel’s strong fibres will stay intact for much longer if maintained properly.
Maintenance
Cotton bed sheets can withstand hot washing and high-speed spin cycles in the washing machine and dryer, making them easier to clean. However, with Tencel bed linen, you need to be gentle and wash them in lower temperature (30 degrees) to keep them looking their best.
But since Tencel requires less frequent washings than cotton due to its antibacterial capabilities, it might help you save on water bills in the long run!
Environmental Impact
Tencel lyocell is one of the most sustainable fabrics. Tencel production can be up to 10 times more ecological than cotton due to its biodegradable properties, low water and bio-energy usage during production, and closed-loop process that recycles 99% of solvents.
Furthermore, Tencel manufacturing facilities have been granted the esteemed European Ecolabel for textile products—a badge of honour awarded to only those with an unwavering commitment to environmental protection.
While cotton products are also made from natural fibres, their cultivation and manufacturing require fertiliser and a ton of water. This can cause soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and pollution in surrounding areas. In fact, cotton accounts for 11% and 24% of global pesticides and insecticides.
Price
If you’re on a budget and want bed sheets that are functional, look good and feel soft, cotton is the way to go. Tencel duvet covers, fitted sheets, and pillowcases are more expensive than their cotton counterparts due to the cost of processing the fibres and making them into bed linen items.
However, if you’re looking for relief from menopausal symptoms and want comfort that lasts all night long, then Tencel might be the better option. It is silky soft, very durable, has high moisture-wicking and absorbing properties, and is much better at thermo-regulating body temperature than cotton. Plus, its superior breathability will make you feel more comfortable and easier to get a hot-flush-free sleep.
Conclusion
Tencel vs. cotton bed linen is a battle that has been raging for a while now, with no clear winner in sight. But when it comes to the special needs of women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause symptoms, there’s no doubt that Tencel lyocell is the best choice.
Menopausal women need comfort, moisture management and breathability for a deep, long, restful sleep. While both fabrics can provide this, Tencel has certain advantages, such as thermoregulation and moisture-wicking abilities, making it a better choice for those with hot flushes and night sweats.
Choose Tencel bed linen if
- You experience hot flushes and night sweats.
- You want superior thermoregulation.
- Moisture wicking and antibacterial properties are a priority for you.
- You don’t mind the extra maintenance that comes with the fabric.
- You care about the environment.
Choose Cotton bed linen if
- You’re looking for a more affordable option.
- You prefer a strong fabric that can withstand high-temperature washings.
- You don’t mind sacrificing the thermoregulation and moisture-wicking benefits of Tencel lyocell.
Struggling to enjoy a peaceful slumber during menopause? We have the perfect solution – check out our sleep products and start getting better rest!