Working towards a sustainable, ethical and ecological lifestyle is important to the health of our planet and people now more than ever want to know about where their products are made, how they're made, and what goes into them. The bedding industry however hasn't reached the same level of sustainability as other industries. Cheap bedding is everywhere but unfortunately you often get what you pay for when it comes to quality. Don't you want to know whether or not the product you've purchased is a result of a responsible manufacturing process?
There are a lot of thoughts that come to mind when choosing new bedding. Is it affordable? Is it comfortable? Is it durable? What is the thread count? But do you ever think about how sustainable your bedding is?
Eucalyptus is becoming popular for bedding products due to its sustainable manufacturing process, beautifully soft feel, and breathability, among many other benefits. The production of eucalyptus lyocell is far superior to cotton and has shown to have a much lower environmental impact.
What is Eucalyptus Fabric?
Eucalyptus is a unique woody flowering tree or shrub with around 700 different species, mostly found in Australia and South East Asia but several varieties grow in Europe, America and Africa. It is a fast growing plant that is well known for producing an oil that can be used for cleaning and as a natural insecticide.
Eucalyptus as a material is known as Lyocell, made from the pulp of Eucalyptus trees using an advanced spinning process, and it is often referred to as TENCEL™, the brand name of the lyocell fabric developed by Austria-based company Lenzing. To make TENCEL™ Lyocell the eucalyptus wood is pulped and then reduced down into a cellulose viscous solution that is forced through spinnerets. The stringy cellulose that come out of the nozzle are spun into a soft, lightweight, and breathable vegan fibre called TENCEL™ Lyocell. There are many types of Lyocell in the world, but TENCEL™ fibre is considered by far the most innovative and sustainable.
Why is it so sustainable?
Eucalyptus trees are cut rather than uprooted, meaning that there is no need to continuously plant new trees. They also grow quickly, don’t need irrigation or pesticides, and can grow in relatively poor, dry, and rocky soil. TENCEL™ fiber is considered to be one of the most sustainable materials in the world, with Lenzing creating a closed-loop process where 99% of water and solvents are recycled and reused.
Eucalyptus fabric is 10x more sustainable than cotton. The water consumption to make Lyocell is about 10-20% lower than the cotton manufacturing process, and this unique process was awarded the Environmental Award in 2000 by the European Union and was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). TENCEL™ lyocell fibre is incredibly soft, so it’s most common in bedding, intimate apparel, and loungewear; you will be literally helping the environment while you sleep!
Why is Eucalyptus ideal for sleep?
Poor sleep can have a negative effect on your overall health, so it is important to ensure that your bedding is free of toxic chemicals that can affect both your sleep and health. TENCEL™ fibre is naturally hypoallergenic and 3x more breathable than cotton, which makes it great for people with allergies. Our vegan silk fabric is 2x softer than cotton and non-irritating, making it perfect for people with sensitive skin. Unlike scratchy cotton, Eucalyptus feels closer to silk in texture which is why it is often referred to as vegan silk.
Eucalyptus is also naturally antibacterial, helping to banish breakouts that can be caused by bacterial growth on your pillowcase. In comparison, cotton bedding that is left unwashed for a week has been found to harbour 17x more colonies of bacteria than samples taken from a toilet seat.
Eucalyptus lyocell provides a more sustainable, vegan and cruelty free alternative to traditional silk while still maintaining the same hair and skin-friendly benefits (anti-wrinkle and anti-aging). The fabric is also temperature regulating making it perfect for hot sleepers, meaning you’ll always get to sleep on the cool side of the pillow!
Our fabric is extremely durable and long-lasting if taken care of properly. The fabric wrinkles significantly less than cotton and is easy to take care of. Additionally, it is designed to get softer with use and washing, so it won’t break down or fall apart over time due to its high durability.
Why should I choose touché?
Our fabric is the whole package, it is eco-friendly, antibacterial, and yet offers durability and comfort. Although becoming increasingly common in the market, not all Lyocell is created equal. TENCEL™ fibre by Lenzing, is an authentically certified manufacturer of eucalyptus lyocell, Lenzing operates on high levels of ethics and sustainability, which is why we only use certified TENCEL™ Lyocell for our products.
Considerably more eco-friendly than both cotton and bamboo, TENCEL™ fibre also far surpasses the standards of comfort for fabric. When buying lyocell fabric, it is important to look for the TENCEL™ fibre certification as a badge of high quality. Other lyocell products that are not certified don’t have the same standards for sustainability and quality.
At touché we’re proud to provide our customers with the highest quality eucalyptus lyocell fabric available on the market. We’re so sure you’ll love sleeping on eucalyptus we even offer you a 30 Night Sleep Trial to test it out risk free!
