What is Lyocell?
Lyocell is a fiber that, although manufactured industrially, is made from natural raw materials. It is therefore not a synthetic fiber, as is often mistakenly assumed. Rather, the fibers are derived from cellulose, which is in turn extracted from wood. The material is particularly well-suited for the production of high-quality bedding, as it is as durable as cotton but combines the visual and tactile qualities of silk with excellent moisture-wicking properties.
Lyocell pillows and Lyocell blankets are known as the perfect bedding for summer and can be cleaned both dry-cleaned and in a regular washing machine (follow the care label instructions). The material thus combines many properties of natural fibers in a single product, as it has cooling properties similar to linen, can provide warmth like wool, and wicks away moisture much more effectively than cotton. At the same time, it feels as pleasantly smooth as silk. No wonder this type of bedding is now clearly preferred by many people over alternatives made of synthetic fibers.
The subjectively more comfortable sleeping experience can also be explained objectively, because in addition to its pleasant temperature-regulating properties in the summer, moisture wicking is a major issue with conventional bedding. For instance, damp cotton dries very slowly, while silk and other materials are poor at absorbing moisture. Pillows and blankets made from such fibers feel significantly more comfortable in comparison; the unpleasant, clammy feeling of sweaty bedding is significantly reduced, especially on warm summer nights.
How are Lyocell fibers made?
The production of Lyocell textiles is based on the extraction of Lyocell fibers from cellulose, with the wood used primarily sourced from sustainably managed eucalyptus plantations. As a result, the production of these high-tech fibers is also beneficial for the environment, in contrast to the resource-intensive production of environmentally harmful synthetic fibers. The manufacturing process involves extracting cellulose from wood, which is then pulverized and mixed with a non-toxic solvent in water.
During the mixing process in the kettle, the water is removed by raising the temperature and creating a vacuum until the desired moisture content is reached. The cellulose then dissolves and is spun into filaments using specialized machinery, which are subsequently fed into the next stage of processing. The Lyocell regenerated fibers produced in this way are significantly less harmful to the environment than those made from viscose, as a non-toxic solvent is used and the material cycle is closed-loop. Compared to cotton, the fibers are significantly thinner and longer, which is reflected in the resulting fabric’s fineness.
This explains the smoother, silk-like feel that you notice immediately when you touch Lyocell fabrics. Although the material is significantly softer than comparable cotton products, its durability and resilience are hardly any less. Under a microscope, you can see why this is the case: Lyocell fibers have a smaller diameter and a rounder cross-section than cotton.
At the end of their useful life, these fibers are biodegradable and therefore do not burden the waste cycle as much as synthetic fibers.
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from CHF 155.00 Select a model This product is available in several versions. You can select your preferred option on the product page.
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from CHF 87.30 Select a model This product is available in several versions. You can select your preferred option on the product page.
Historical Background
Since when have Lyocell pillows been available for purchase? This relatively new industrial fiber was first produced on an experimental basis in the late 1980s. Various viscose manufacturers recognized the advantages of the fiber and optimized the manufacturing process. In particular, Lenzing and Courtaulds competed to produce the best Lyocell fibers.
The material was first produced on a large scale for commercial use in the United States in 1991 by Courtaulds under the brand name Tencel. The Austrian manufacturer Lenzing has also been in the business since 1997 and took over Courtauld’s Tencel production in 2004. There are now production facilities in the U.S. (Mobile, Alabama), the U.K. (Grimsby), and Austria (Heiligenkreuz and Lenzing). In addition, large-scale production is set to begin in Thailand in the coming years.
So, if you’re looking to buy Lyocell blankets, you’ll usually come across the brand names Tencel and Tencel x Refibra. These products are made from fibers that possess the properties described above. In the relatively short time that Lyocell products have been on the market, they have already secured a significant market share compared to cotton and synthetic microfibers and are enjoying growing popularity among consumers. In particular, people with sensitive skin who do not want to feel the scratchy sensation of other materials against their skin can benefit from Lyocell bedding and other products.
An overview of the key benefits of Lyocell products:
- Pleasant textures: A smooth texture and a soft, silky feel.
- Breathable: They are known for their breathability. In addition to bedding, the fabric is therefore increasingly being used for athletic wear
- Moisture absorption: Compared to cotton, they can absorb about 50% more water and release it into the surrounding air almost immediately, without requiring the laundry to air out for a long time.
- Improved skin comfort: Thanks to their excellent moisture-wicking properties, many Lyocell products are antibacterial and less prone to developing unpleasant odors.
- Durability: They are very durable and wear out only slowly. In addition, they do not tend to wrinkle or crease.
- Suitable for sensitive skin: The pleasantly smooth feel is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin. Here, too, the fabric’s excellent moisture-wicking and breathable properties really shine.
- Environmentally friendly: Lyocell fibers are biodegradable; no environmentally harmful byproducts are produced during manufacturing, and the production process requires neither a significant amount of time nor excessive amounts of energy or water. Cotton production consumes between ten and twenty times more water. Furthermore, extracting pulp from eucalyptus wood is particularly sustainable because this wood requires no artificial irrigation and grows quickly.
How does a Lyocell pillow affect my sleep?
The quality of sleep is greatly influenced by environmental conditions. Especially in the summer, it’s often difficult to strike a balance between feeling too cold and sweating. Compared to cotton, silk, or viscose, Lyocell bedding offers exceptional comfort with pleasantly cool surfaces that wick away moisture quickly and effectively.
When you buy a Lyocell pillow, you can avoid that uncomfortable, clammy feeling that comes with damp bedding. After all, we lose up to half a liter of sweat every night while we sleep (depending on body weight), which can quickly lead to the so-called “sauna effect” with conventional bedding. Lyocell bedding therefore plays a significant role in creating a better sleeping environment. In addition to effective temperature regulation, the soft and very comfortable feel against the skin enhances overall sleep quality. Overall, sleep interruptions caused by the unpleasant side effects of damp and clammy bedding are significantly fewer than with other materials. At the same time, you never feel cold, as Lyocell pillows and Lyocell blankets provide pleasant warmth when needed.
The fine structure of the fibers surpasses that of high-quality cotton and is particularly suitable for people with sensitive skin, problems regulating body temperature, and high hygiene standards. In addition, the high-quality appearance, which closely resembles silk, creates a luxurious atmosphere. Overall, sleep studies have consistently shown that sleep is particularly restful when temperatures remain constant. The dry sleeping environment provided by Lyocell pillows and blankets helps maintain a constant temperature level and thus offers ideal conditions for comfortable and restful sleep.
Features
- Faster moisture wicking combined with improved breathability and greater moisture-wicking capacity
- very sturdy and durable
- biodegradable
- smooth and pleasant texture
- low-maintenance
- cool-to-the-touch
- extremely soft
- silky sheen
- less likely to shrink in the dryer (if permitted by the care label)
- resists wrinkles and is less prone to wrinkling
Care instructions for our Lyocell products
When you purchase a Lyocell blanket, the specific care instructions are listed on the care label of the product in question, and you should always follow them. That said, the following guidelines generally apply to such products:
- Machine washable at 30°C
- Turn inside out before washing
- Select the wool, delicate, or gentle cycle
- If indicated on the label, it is also suitable for the dryer
- Iron inside out at low temperatures (high temperatures can damage the fibers)
