Lyocell fabric is one of the best alternatives if you are looking for sustainable and respectful fashion . It is never too late to become aware and investigate what material your favorite clothes are made of. That is why in this article, we will cover everything you need to know about one of the most sustainable fabrics. Keep reading!

What is Lyocell?

It is known as a semi-synthetic fabric that is often used to replace organic cotton or silk. It is similar to rayon and is made up of cellulose from wood, such as oak, birch or eucalyptus.

It was developed by American Enka in 1972 and became popular in the last decades of the 20th century, however it remains well known today. It is characterized by being made of completely organic ingredients and by being the best substitute for synthetic fibers such as polyester.

Lyocell fabric is super resistant and so soft that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between this fabric and cotton.

Is it sustainable?

It is considered one of the most sustainable fabrics, since, for example, cotton needs a lot of water to grow, while the trees needed to produce lyocell require less water . Factor that makes lyocell fabric a more environmentally friendly option.

For its manufacture, a circular system is used that recovers contaminated water so that it can be used. Even TENCEL is completely biodegradable and compostable, which means that over time its components return to nature and do not create pollution.

If you want to know more about sustainability, I invite you to read types of sustainability

What is it made of?

It is made of harvested wood. Frequently, eucalyptus trees are used , however, lyocell fabric can also be produced from oak, birch and bamboo. The wood goes through a decomposition process, becoming small pieces that are combined with a solvent (amine oxide), finally generating wood pulp.

It is important to note that the solvent does not change its composition , it is only a component that is used to change its shape and turn the pulp into a liquid mixture that goes through a filtering and spinning process. Method used to produce the fibers that are woven.

Lyocell Benefits

It is 100% compostable and biodegradable

Since it is made from wood with non-toxic solvents, lyocell will take a few months to fully biodegrade. While polyester and other plastic fibers can take up to a century to start biodegrading.

Regulates temperature and removes moisture

It absorbs moisture with the help of its hydrophilic fibers. It will help you stay dry and cool in humid conditions and excessive sweating. In fact, don't be surprised when lyocell is much more popular in gym clothes and sheets.

On the other hand, the properties that allow it to absorb moisture also make this fabric ideal for diapers and bath towels, since it is breathable and does not cause skin irritation.

Stains easily

Thanks to its absorbency capacity, it facilitates the dyeing work. Therefore, it is not necessary to resort to the use of harmful chemical products, so that the fabric is more optimal and absorbs much more color. In fact, it can be dyed just as easily as cotton, so the use of toxic chemicals and cancer-causing azo dyes is completely ruled out.

It is antibacterial

Thanks to its possibility of perspiration, it makes it a fabric with bacterial control and ideal for sensitive skin, avoiding itchy skin .

Can be mixed with other fibers

Another of its benefits is that it can be mixed with synthetic and natural fibers to create other qualities in a fabric. By combining the fabric with silk or wool, a fabric is generated that is much softer, more elastic, durable, and easier to care for.

It is much more hygienic

Due to the breathability it contains, it is less likely to accumulate bacteria, so it will not produce bad odors or mold. That is why lyocell fabric is so popular for bath towels.

In fact, thanks to this important factor, it will not be necessary to wash your lyocell garments frequently.

Wrinkle?

Guess! The lyocell fabric does not wrinkle so easily , thanks to its lightness and its elasticity. This is another of the advantages that this incredible fabric offers you. However, we recommend that you look at the label of the garments or sheets that you purchase and in this way make sure that you comply with the necessary care.

How to care for Tencel Lyocell?

There is no doubt that lyocell fabric is durable and difficult to wrinkle, however, it is necessary to care for the fabric correctly, since its useful life depends on good care.

Pay attention to each of your care:

Washed

It is recommended to wash the fabric by hand, but if you prefer to use a washing machine, you should choose the gentlest cycle and it is best to use an ecological detergent . You should also avoid folding the fabric when it is wet.

Stains

If you accidentally stain the fabric, you should opt for oxygen bleach, since using chlorine bleach will weaken the fibers.

Drying

You should dry the fabric in the open air, but if you use the dryer you should choose the drying cycle with the lowest temperature.

Ironing

Use an iron with a very low temperature. Although you can use a cloth between the fabric and the iron to avoid excess heat.

Lyocell vs. Organic Cotton

Lyocell is a fabric made from materials of plant origin, however, organic cotton is a completely natural fiber itself, a factor that considerably increases the price of lyocell. While cotton is a much cheaper option.

If you want to buy vegan and accessible clothes made of organic cotton , I recommend the following garments

 

Now, the entire process to produce lyocell is more expensive than the production of cotton , but exactly its entire production method is what makes the fabric so efficient. It does not require large amounts of water or pesticides and consumes fewer resources from the environment.

Regarding durability, lyocell is much more durable and resistant than cotton. In addition, it is the easiest fabric to maintain, since it does not need so much washing and ironing.

Lyocell vs Polyester

Lyocell is a completely sustainable alternative to polyester, a synthetic fiber that is not considered ecological. In fact, polyester is one of the most popular and affordable fibers today.

Polyester is made up of polymers such as petroleum derivatives and recycled plastics, components that are not biodegradable, such as the wood cell, the raw material with which lyocell is produced.

Does Lyocell shrink?

It is possible that after several washes the lyocell fabric shrinks slightly by 3% . For this reason, it is not advisable to wash the fabric at high temperatures, but rather with cold water, by hand and preferably leave it to dry in the open air. Try not to use the dryer or iron frequently, as this can cause it to shrink and cause unwanted defects in the fabric.

Garments made with Lyocell

If you want to obtain respectful garments, we recommend you visit the new collection of sustainable clothing for women RESPECT from our sustainable brand Clotsy Brand and take a look at all our limited edition spring-summer collection made with respect for our environment.

Also, if after all the information we provide you, you want to try a garment made of lyocell, we recommend you get our ocean pants and shirt. The best combination to keep you fresh and radiant all day. cheer up!

Conclusion

Lyocell is one of the best fabrics that currently exist , and thanks to its great utility, it is available in shirts, pants, bath towels, sheets, among others. Wonderful!

What are you waiting for to incorporate lyocell into your life? Contribute to the protection of the planet by using responsible fabric garments, we assure you that your comfort is the main objective of this fabric, so the word discomfort will not be present in your vocabulary.