Lyocell Vs Cotton Sheets: Which is Better?

We will discuss the differences between lyocell vs cotton sheets, their benefits and drawbacks, and which one might be best for you.

It’s not as easy as picking the one that looks nice to choose a bedsheet. A lot of thought goes into it because there are various factors you must consider like its maintenance, durability, cooling effects, and more. And because they provide all this and more, lyocell and cotton sheets are popular options. Which type of sheet is better—lyocell or cotton?

Both cotton and lyocell are cool, cozy, and breathable materials; you just have to decide which is better for you based on how they feel and how much maintenance you’re willing to put into it. Here is a thorough comparison of Lyocell and cotton sheets to assist you in determining which is right for you.

Difference Between Lyocell Vs. Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber, whereas lyocell is environmentally friendly. Both offer you sumptuous silk sheets that are very comfortable. The differences between lyocell and cotton sheets will now be discussed in detail.

We have compared lyocell and other fabrics, such as Lyocell Vs Tencel, Cotton Vs Egyptian Cotton, Pima Cotton Vs Supima Cotton, Modal Fabric Vs Cotton, Polyester Fabric Vs Cotton, and Pima Cotton Vs Cotton.

Parameters	Lyocell	Cotton
Touch and feel	Feels much softer and smoother from the first day of use	Feels crisp initially, but gets softer with use and washing
Price	Usually more expensive than cotton	Even the most superior quality of cotton is less expensive than lyocell
Durability	Long-lasting and durable, but requires careful handling	Superior quality cotton when woven tight for durability, but requires more washes than lyocell
Resistance to pilling	Has better resistance to pilling than cotton	prone to pilling more frequently than lyocell. Inferior-quality cotton pills faster
Maintenance	Lyocell needs sensitive handling; sometimes it requires hand washing, while other times it may be machine washed on delicate cycle	Cotton is comparatively easy to handle and all varieties of cotton may be machine washed
Cooling?	Cool and breathable, and wicks away moisture	Cool and breathable, but cannot wick away moisture
Wrinkle-resistant?	Yes	No
Eco-friendly?	Yes	Has eco-friendly varieties

Which is Better, Lyocell Or Cotton?

Cotton is often still thought of as the gold standard of bedsheets, and with good reason. There aren’t many items that are as strong, comfortable, and durable for the price range. Perhaps the grass isn’t necessarily greener if you’re sleeping well on cotton. Cotton does have some drawbacks, though.

A more specialized fabric is lyocell. It’s a perfect choice for those with body temperature or sweating issues, or for those with sensitive skin aggravated by moisture.

What is Lyocell?

A substance made from wood cellulose is called lyocell, also known as rayon or Tencel. Most frequently, eucalyptus trees, which grow quickly, provide the cellulose fibers. Regeneration refers to the process by which pulp is chemically broken down and then reformed into fibers that are easier to weave.

TENCEL™

You will probably come across TENCEL™ if you take the time to look for lyocell sheets. The brand of lyocell known as TENCEL&trade was created by Courtaulds Fibres in the UK. Eucalyptus wood from sustainably managed forests is used to make TENCEL&trade, which is then spun into fibers using a closed-loop process, which prevents waste by reusing the chemicals used to make the threads.

Lyocell Materials

While other trees, like oak and birch, can also be used to make lyocell, eucalyptus wood is used most frequently. Additionally, there is bamboo lyocell, which uses the pulp of this tough, quick-growing grass to spin fibers that are then woven into bamboo sheets.

One way that TENCEL™ differs from other lyocell fabrics is that other lyocell may or may not come from sustainable forests, so it’s a good idea to do some research before making a purchase. Here is another type of lyocell fabric: Bamboo Lyocell Fabric.

Here is a complete guide to the Pros and Cons of Lyocell Fabric.

Benefits of Lyocell

A more specialized and cutting-edge fabric is lyocell. It excels at wicking sweat from the body and is especially cool and smooth. The environment also benefits greatly from lyocell.

• Hygiene. Lyocell fibers are hydrophilic, which means water-loving. This implies that bed sheets move water vapor away from the body. The likelihood of them mildewing and smelling bad is therefore greatly reduced. Lyocell sheets probably require less frequent washing than cotton ones.
• Cooling. Due to the fact that Lyocell is made of hydrophilic fibers, much less sweat will condense between the body and the bedsheets, making it the perfect material for hot sleepers or people who live in humid climates.
• Durability. Lyocell sheets last a long time before needing to be replaced. They wash well and do not age thin, flimsy, or misshapen.
• Sustainability. Eucalyptus trees, a sustainable source of wood pulp, are used to make the wood pulp used to make Lyocell sheets. They are manufactured using what’s called a “closed loop process” – meaning almost 100% of the solvents used in its construction are recovered and don’t leak into the environment.
• Surface Comfort. Sateen weave is typically used in the construction of lyocell sheets. This means the surface fibers of the sheet are longer, and thus the sheets feel very smooth and luxurious to the touch.

Drawbacks of Lyocell

There could be some drawbacks to Lyocell. It has a distinctive appearance that may not appeal to everyone, plus it can be more expensive than other bedsheet options.

• High Cost: Lyocell sheets can be expensive due to their eco-friendliness. Between $100 and $300 can be spent on a queen-size lyocell sheet.
• Special Care: Lyocell sheets need to be handled carefully. Always read the care label before washing the lyocell sheets because some lyocell sheets should only be hand washed. Make sure to use the delicate cycle when washing anything, even in a washing machine, if the care instructions allow it.

Learn more about lyocell care:

• How to Iron Lyocell Fabric? Tips
• Does Lyocell Shrink When Washed?
• Is Lyocell Stretchy? Can You Stretch Lyocell?
• Is Lyocell Breathable? is It Good for Summer?

What is Cotton?

The most typical and widely used fabric for bedsheets is cotton. It’s made from the fluffy fibers of the cotton plant, which have been used to create fabric for around 7000 years. Longer fibers feel softer and more opulent. Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton predominates in these fibers. Other 100% cotton products are probably of lower quality.

Below are some guides to Pima cotton:

• Does Pima Cotton Shrink in Wash?
• How to Wash Pima Cotton Properly?
• Are Pima Cotton Sheets Cool? Are They Good for Night Sweats?
• Does Pima Cotton Pill?
• What is Pima Cotton Vs Cotton?

Cotton Types

Let’s examine the various cotton varieties that exist today.

• Long-Staple Cotton: The sheets are silky and soft thanks to long-staple cotton, which is a very popular material. Silky, incredibly long fibers are produced during the weaving and spinning process. In addition, they are renowned for their strength and consistency.
• Short-Staple Cotton: After a few months, short-staple cotton can feel rough and start to pill. In addition to being less expensive, they are not as strong as long-staple cotton.

Benefits of Cotton

The material for bed sheets is very popular right now: cotton. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that it is durable, breathable, easy to maintain, and generally offers good value for the money.

• Durability. Cotton is well known for lasting a long time; in fact, some people believe that cotton improves with age. When cotton is first unwrapped, it often feels very crisp; however, after a few items of washing, it softens and becomes less rigid.
• Washing. Cotton sheets are much simpler to maintain when it comes to deep cleaning than Lyocell because Lyocell cannot be breached. Due to the possibility of bleaching, white cotton sheets will probably continue to look newer for longer.
• Ease Of Care. With little to no chance of shrinking or thinning, cotton can be washed at high temperatures and dried.
• Price. Cotton might be a better option if your budget is limited. There are more price ranges available, so you might be able to get more for your money in terms of quality.

Drawbacks of Cotton

Despite its widespread use, cotton has drawbacks. Given the variety, it can be challenging to determine if you’re getting a good deal, and some people find the feel of brand-new cotton to be quite disagreeable.

• Initial Feel. A fresh set of cotton sheets can feel quite starchy, stiff, and unforgiving. They aren’t initially very smooth or soft, though some people do enjoy this crispness. But cotton has a tendency to soften with time.
• Inconsistency. Cotton bedsheets come in a huge range of quality. It’s possible that a luxurious set of Egyptian cotton sheets and a cheap cotton-poly blend have little in common. Doing your own specific research is crucial because it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re getting in terms of cotton sheets.
• Creasing. Cotton sheets are notoriously prone to creasing, especially when they are just out of the dryer. The best way to mitigate this is through ironing or by allowing the sheets to hang to dry naturally.

Choosing the Right Sheets

After selecting the materials for your bed sheet, you might want to consider other elements like thread count, weave, and color.

Thread Count

The term “thread count” describes how many threads there are per square inch, both horizontally and vertically. Anywhere between 300 and 600 is regarded as the ideal thread count for high-quality bed sheets.

The general notion is a higher thread count means a more luxurious bed sheet, because more yarns fitting into a square inch space make the sheet more smooth, dense, and durable. But this may not always be the case—especially be wary when the thread count is higher than 600.

Don’t go blindly by a high thread count, because bed sheet manufacturers have found ways to artificially inflate the thread count by using multiple-ply yarn. Individual, subpar threads are twisted around one another to accomplish this.

The thread’s quality is of utmost significance. Although thread count is a consideration when selecting your bed sheet, it is not the only one. When purchasing your next bed sheet, keep the typical range of thread counts in mind.

Weave

You can add to the texture of your bed sheets by choosing from a variety of weaves, including percale, sateen, and twill. Typically, lyocell sheets all feature a sateen weave that gives them a silky-soft feel. The percale weave is typically the best for cotton bed sheets because it increases their durability.

Color

Color is a very subjective matter. Depending on the time of year or the event, you can choose one. Rich, earthy colors may be appropriate for the chilly winter months, whereas light, pastel colors are ideal for summer.

Conclusion: Lyocell Vs Cotton

For some lyocell can be better than cotton. It all depends on you. The benefits and drawbacks of lyocell and cotton are similar to what was already stated. Lyocell is an environmentally friendly alternative, though.

The best option for cotton and Lyocell frequently just comes down to personal preference in terms of touch, appearance, robustness, ease of care, and cost. Read more: Best Cotton Comforter Sets.

FAQs