Cotton and Tencel are two examples of “cellulose” plant-based fibers. Cotton has been in existence for thousands of years and comes from the seedpod of the cotton plant. Tencel has been around for a few decades and is an example of a “regenerated cellulose” fabric made from fabric waste. This article looks at both in-depth detailing what they have in common and what distinguishes them apart. Introduction to Cotton and Tencel The cotton plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, Egypt, and India. Cotton is ubiquitous in the textile world, from t-shirts to homewares to art canvas to rope, and is best known for its comfort and breathability. More recently, organic cotton grown without the use of pesticides has become more popular in the fashion industry. Tencel begins its life as cellulose - wood pulp is dissolved in amine oxide solution. The viscous cellulose solution that results is then extruded into a dilute solution of amine oxide, which precipitates the cellulose as fiber. So, it has a natural origin because it’s made from wood, but the finished fiber is technically man-made so it doesn’t qualify as a natural fiber. That’s why the textiles industry refers to it as regenerated cellulose instead of “natural” or “synthetic.” Whilst being very different fabrics in terms of production methods, Cotton and Tencel share many similar properties such as softness and breathability, and for this reason often crossover in the same apparel categories. Similarities Between Cotton and Tencel
Cotton and Tencel are both plant-based biodegradable fibers.
Both are a really popular fabric option for t-shirts and home bedding.
Both are lightweight fabrics with great elasticity and softness.
Both have a huge range of applications from apparel to homewares.
Both fabrics dye well and hold that new color very well. They are easy to dye and both don’t lose their strength as they go through the dyeing process.
They can both be mixed with other fabrics to create a new fabric increasing beneficial properties such as durability. Often Tencel is mixed with Cotton to create an easier-to-care-for fabric.
Cotton and Tencel are both very breathable and manage moisture so they help with temperature regulation and odor control.
Being breathable means they are both very suitable for undergarments and close to skin inner layers.
Both Cotton and Tencel’s smooth fiber surface feels soft and supple against sensitive skin.
As neither requires the tending of or use of animals, both are vegan-friendly.
Both can be machine washed (although Tencel needs a gentle wash) and are quick drying.
Differences Between Cotton and Tencel
Conventional cotton is very damaging to the environment, whilst Lenzing Tencel has less impact due to its sophisticated processing methods and closed-loop system.
Cotton pills, shrinks, and wrinkles easily whilst Tencel is resistant to all.
Cotton is generally very cheap to buy unless it is organic or a specific type of cotton such as Pima or Egyptian. Tencel on the other hand is more expensive because of its higher cost production processes.
Both of these materials are easy to care for, but Tencel requires a more gentle approach, whereas cotton can be washed at high water temperatures. Cotton garments are also more durable to harsher detergents than Tencel.
Cotton vs Tencel: Environmental Impact
Both are biodegradable, even conventionally grown cotton, whereas synthetic fibers take hundreds of years to degrade.
However, conventional cotton farming uses the most pesticides of any crop in the world. Every time it rains or the plant decomposes, chemicals leak into the groundwater and surrounding waterways. Cotton takes a lot of land and water to grow and needs to be harvested using motorized farming equipment. So all in all, cotton demands significant land, water, and energy resources.
Sustainably grown cotton is a better option for those following a vegan lifestyle or worried about animal welfare.
Tencel is somewhat similar to rayon (i.e. viscose) because they’re what the industry refers to as “regenerated cellulose” fibers. The big difference is that rayon requires more energy and chemicals to produce, which is both wasteful and toxic for the workers who make it. Tencel, on the other hand, uses chemicals that are less toxic and get recycled in the process so there’s minimal waste. It also uses wood from trees in sustainably harvested forests.
Tencel uses much less water in its production than cotton, which is extremely water dependant.
Cotton vs Tencel: Applications Cotton fabric is one of the most widely used fabrics in the world. It is used in everything from bedding to socks, car upholstery, art canvas, and rope to coffee filters. Also, cotton fibers can be woven together to create a multitude of completely new fabrics. Tencel also has a wide range of applications as it can look and feel like anything from suede to silk to denim. It is however used mainly in apparel, recently, it is also becoming popular in home textiles such as bedding. Cotton vs Tencel: Conclusion We have compared the similarities and differences between these two fibers. They offer many similar properties. Tencel has the environmental edge since it requires fewer resources and doesn’t pollute our waterways (once it is Lenzing-based). If you want a comfortable breathable t-shirt or crisp fresh bed sheets, then 100% Cotton, 100% Tencel or a blend of both will work very well.