What is TENCEL™ Lyocell? The Beginner's Guide to Singapore's Favourite Cooling Fabric
You've probably seen the word TENCEL™ on bedding labels and wondered what it actually means. This guide answers the most common questions — what TENCEL™ Lyocell is, where it comes from, how it feels, and whether it's worth switching to.
What is TENCEL™ Lyocell?
TENCEL™ is a branded fibre created by Lenzing AG, an Austrian textile company. It belongs to the lyocell family — a type of fibre made from plant cellulose — but TENCEL™ Lyocell is Lenzing's certified version, held to significantly higher environmental and quality standards than generic lyocell.
The raw material is eucalyptus wood, sourced from sustainably managed forests. The eucalyptus is dissolved into a solution and then extruded through tiny openings to form smooth, continuous fibres. What makes this process special is its closed-loop system — over 99% of the water and solvents used are captured, cleaned, and recycled back into the process. Very little waste leaves the factory.
Is TENCEL™ the Same as Lyocell?
Not exactly. Lyocell is the generic fibre category — like how cotton describes a broad range of fabrics. TENCEL™ is the brand name for Lenzing's lyocell, made to their specific standards. When you buy TENCEL™, you are buying a certified, traceable fibre — not an unverified generic version.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are produced with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption than generic lyocell or modal. The TENCEL™ trademark on a label is a quality guarantee.
How Does TENCEL™ Lyocell Feel?
The most common description from first-time users is silky but not slippery. It has the smooth, cool-to-the-touch sensation of silk without the high maintenance or high price. Unlike cotton, which can feel slightly rough or stiff when new, TENCEL™ Lyocell is smooth from the first night — and gets softer with every wash.
Key Benefits of TENCEL™ Lyocell Bedding
Naturally cooling and moisture-wicking
TENCEL™ fibres have a unique nanofibril structure that moves moisture away from your skin and releases it into the air — rather than absorbing it and holding it like cotton does. This is why TENCEL™ bed sheets feel dry and comfortable even on warm nights.
Hypoallergenic and skin-safe
The smooth surface of TENCEL™ fibres minimises friction against skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers. All Prozily TENCEL™ bedding is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified — meaning it has been tested and confirmed free from harmful chemicals.
Sustainable by design
Eucalyptus grows quickly and requires no irrigation or pesticides. The closed-loop production process uses 95% less water than conventional cotton manufacturing. TENCEL™ Lyocell is also biodegradable.
Durable and easy to care for
TENCEL™ Lyocell holds its shape and colour well through repeated washes. It resists pilling better than cotton and does not thin over time. The more you wash it, the softer it becomes.
How to Wash TENCEL™ Lyocell Bed Sheets
- Flip inside out before washing
- Machine wash on gentle cycle, cold water at or below 30°C
- Use mild detergent — no bleach, no fabric softener
- Air dry in shade — avoid tumble dryer and direct sunlight
- Iron on low heat from the reverse side if needed
What Makes Prozily's TENCEL™ Bedding Different
Most TENCEL™ bedding brands sell plain, solid-colour sheets. Prozily is Singapore's only brand that offers Jacquard-woven TENCEL™ Lyocell — meaning the floral patterns on our bedding are woven directly into the fabric structure, not printed on top. The result is a pattern that never fades, feels textured under your hand, and catches the light with a gentle shimmer.
All Prozily bedding is made from 100% Austrian TENCEL™ Lyocell from Lenzing — no blends, no synthetics — and is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.
Ready to experience it? Browse Prozily's full TENCEL™ Lyocell Jacquard collection — free shipping on all Singapore orders.
Want to go deeper? Read our full guide: TENCEL™ vs Cotton — Why Singapore Sleepers Are Switching.