Is flax linen better than Tencel for hot flushes, night sweats and hot sleepers?
Published: 3 April 2023
Menopause is when your body is on a roller coaster, taking you on wild rides of hot flushes, night sweats, and insomnia. You feel like a teenager again, but not in a good way. And to top it off, you can’t seem to stay cool at night and get a good night’s sleep no matter what you do!
Enter Tencel and flax bed linen, the superheroes of the bedding world, here to save the day (or night, rather). But which one is the true champion in managing menopause symptoms? Join us as we explore each fabric’s pros and cons to help you choose the best bedding for your menopausal woes.
How is Tencel Bed Linen Made?
Tencel lyocell is like the unicorn of bed linens. Made from the wood pulp of eucalyptus trees, this fabric is soft and silky but also strong and breathable, making it perfect for menopausal women who wake up in the middle of the night feeling hot and sweaty.
Oeko Tex-certified Tencel manufacturers process the wood pulp into liquid form using a closed-loop system that recycles almost all the water and solvents. The fibres are then spun into yarn and woven into the fabric, resulting in a luxurious, premium-quality bedding ideal for managing hot flush intensity and sleeplessness.
Benefits of Tencel Bedding
- Highly breathable to help regulate your body temperature.
- Excellent moisture absorption and moisture wicking to keep warm when you feel cold and to keep you cool and dry when you feel hot.
- Silky-soft and gentle on sensitive skin, providing maximum comfort.
- Antibacterial and hypoallergenic, making it less likely to trigger sensitivities.
- Durable and long-lasting, so you won’t have to replace it as often as other fabrics.
- Made from renewable resources and biodegradable, an eco-friendly choice for environmentally conscious people.
Drawbacks of Tencel Lyocell
- It may not be as affordable as other bedding materials.
- Correct care is requires to retain its durability (it’s machine washable but at low temperature).
How is Flax Bed Linen Made?
Flax is a natural fibre from the stalks of the flax plant. This type of bedding is made by spinning flax fibres into yarn and weaving them into a durable, breathable fabric.
Like Tencel bed linen, flax is a sustainable crop that requires less water and pesticides than cotton, making it a great option for eco-conscious sleepers. Plus, flax fibres have antibacterial properties, so your bedding will stay fresher for longer.
Benefits of Flax Bedding
- Breathable to make hot sleepers feel cool (but not dry).
- Starts off feeling a bit rough but gets softer after each wash.
- Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to help keep your bedding fresher for longer.
- Incredibly durable, which means your bedding will last for years to come.
- Easy to care for, can be machine-washed and dried.
Drawbacks of Flax Fabric
- It can be quite stiff and rough when it’s new.
- Prone to wrinkling.
- Better at keeping you cool than warm.
- Doesn’t retain cool-to-the-touch feeling
Comparing Tencel vs. Flax Bed Linen for Managing Menopause Symptoms
Moisture-Wicking vs. Moisture-Absorbing
Hot flushes and night sweats can cause a lot of moisture to build up, leading to discomfort and disrupted sleep. Tencel and flax bed linen offer moisture management properties but to a different degree.
Tencel lyocell fibres is exceptional at moisture-wicking, pulling sweat away from your body and helping it evaporate quickly and it also absorb 50% more moisture than cotton and 20% more moisture than flax linen, making Tencel bed linen an excellent choice for perimenopause and postmenopause women who want to feel cool and dry all night.
On the other hand, flax bed linen is moisture-absorbing, meaning it soaks up and retains sweat. This can make you feel clammy and prevent you from getting a deep, long, restful sleep.
Breathability and Thermoregulation
Tencel bed linen features microscopic fibrils of lyocell cellulosic fibres that are structured to allow air to circulate freely (making it 3 times more breathable than cotton). Combining its breathability with superb moisture-wicking properties, this fabric is a great choice for menopausal women who experience fluctuations in body temperature due to hormonal imbalance and who want to feel cool, comfortable and dry when they sleep.
Flax fibres also allow airflow to circulate easily, helping regulate body temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the night. It can help you to feel cool but probably not as cool and dry as Tencel lyocell.
Anti-Bacterial and Hypoallergenic Ability
As we age, our skin can become more sensitive and prone to allergies, making it difficult to find bedding that doesn’t irritate us. Luckily, Tencel lyocell and flax bed linen have impressive anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic abilities.
Both fabrics help prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, mildew, and fungi that can cause skin irritations and allergic reactions. And because Tencel fibres have a higher vapour uptake than cotton, expect up to 200 times fewer bacteria on these bed sheets than on synthetic bedding—which means no more embarrassing odours!
Coolness and Gentleness on the Skin
Studies show that bed linen made from 100% Tencel feels cooler on the skin under humid conditions than cotton. As humidity increases, it becomes even more effective at wicking moisture away from the body.
Tencel definitely wins when it comes to feeling cool-to-the-touch and silky smooth against your skin. This magical material makes you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud made of unicorn hair. Because when it comes to menopause, every little bit of comfort counts! But flax linen also has a certain charm to it, with its slightly rough texture that can be cosy for some people.
Durability and Maintenance
Tencel bedding is known for its strength and durability, which means it can withstand more wear and tear than your average bed linen. But it can be high maintenance because you should avoid washing it with hot water, or it might start pilling and lose its silky smoothness.
Meanwhile, flax is a sturdy fabric that can withstand repeated washings and still look great. And when it comes to maintenance, you can wash it in high heat without worrying about losing its shape or texture. But hey, if you want your bed sheets to last longer than a Kardashian marriage, you have got to take care of them!
Sustainability
Tence bed linen is made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus trees, so it’s super eco-friendly (helping Mother Nature to take of our planet). It uses renewable energy but the real advantage of the manufacturing process is its closed-loop manufacturing method, meaning that almost all the water and solvents used in the production are recycled and reused. Also, this super fabric is free of herbicides and pesticides, and the trees used to make it are fast-growing without the need for irrigation.
On the other hand, flax bed linen is made from a renewable resource that requires few pesticides. Flax also has a low carbon footprint, as the plant absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it produces during cultivation.
Conclusion
Tencel and flax bed linen are worthy contenders for tackling menopause symptoms. Whether you’re a hot flush sufferer or simply looking for a more comfortable night’s sleep, there’s something for everyone. With Tencel’s moisture-wicking technology and flax’s natural breathability, you can kiss those sleepless nights goodbye.
Choose Tencel bed linen if:
- You tend to overheat or sweat at night due to menopause and want a material that will keep you cool and dry.
- You have sensitive skin or allergies and need soft and gentle sheets.
- You’re environmentally conscious and want to support sustainable production practices.
- You’re looking for a durable material that will stand the test of time.
- You don’t mind putting in extra effort to keep your sheets silky smooth.
Choose Flax bed linen if:
- You get hot while sleeping and need a breathable material to keep you cool.
- You like the natural, slightly textured look and feel of linen.
- You need naturally hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial sheets.
- You’re looking for a material that will last years and become softer with each wash.
- You’re a low-maintenance kind of person who loves washing beddings with hot water.
Don’t miss out on the chance to feel like a queen in your own bed. If you are looking for the best cooling bed linen for menopausal hot flushes and night sweats (or you are a chronic hot sleeper) try Cassvensi’s 100% Tencel pillowcases, duvet covers, or fitted sheets and sleep like royalty tonight. You might just find yourself saying, “Goodbye night sweats, hello sweet dreams!”