Tencel vs. Cotton

At Videris we strive to use the most sustainable materials possible and prioritise using natural fibres that consider the planet, and its people.  Fibres that still allow our products to be comfortable, durable, performative and beautiful. Creating our lingerie starts with choosing the right fabric.

This is why we love Tencel.  

After all, lingerie is what we wear directly against our skin - our largest organ and capable of absorbing whatever we put on it, and on the most intimate parts of our body. All our bras, knickers, and sleepwear are made from the latest generation in TENCEL™ Lyocell. This incredible all-natural fibre is not only favoured for how comfortable, soft and breathable it is, but also for its botanic origins and environmentally responsible production process.  

Facts about TENCEL™

Even though TENCEL™ is a natural fiber it is still easily machine washable. A great property of TENCEL™ is that it actually gets softer the more you wash it; it also does not pill as fast as cotton.

TENCEL™ is naturally hypoallergenic and is not bleached or dyed. In addition, it does not generate static charge; therefore, dust and other particles do not cling to the fiber giving it additional hypoallergenic qualities.

TENCEL™ is softer than silk and cooler than linen. It possesses perfect moisture management. The higher the moisture absorption the drier the sleeping environment. TENCEL™ absorbs 70% more moisture than cotton in a controlled manner and then quickly releases it to provide the perfect dry sleeping environment. This property of the fiber reduces bacterial growth without the addition of chemicals (it is nearly impossible for bacteria to grow on the fiber).

 

Key Benefits of TENCEL™ 

• Soft on the skin
• Breathability
• Sustainable and resource-efficient production
• Moisture Absorbent 
• Naturally Hypoallergenic
• Natural Origin
• Low environmental impact 

Tencel vs Cotton 

It’s still often assumed that Cotton is more sustainable than Tencel, which isn’t the case. Even with organic cotton, which often starts from an organic cotton field and goes through a production process tainted by chemicals. Cotton also uses huge quantities of water to grow the crops. Just one bra requires 333 litres of water.

 

From a sustainability perspective, see how they square up against one another below.

 

 

So, how is Tencel Made?

Tencel is a type of rayon, like viscose or modal. 

Made using sustainably-sourced wood pulp. These botanic fibres are created from renewable wood sourced from natural forests and sustainably managed plantations within Austria and neighbouring countries.  So, how does wood pulp become my lingerie? Made by an innovative Austrian company, Lenzing, the action to transform wood pulp into fiber starts by dissolving the pulp which is then pushed through small holes to form fibers that are spun into yarn, and then woven into cloth. Throughout the closed-loop production process, water is recycled and 99% of solvents are reused. The entire process is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning it is free from harmful chemicals.

About Lenzing 

Lenzing who received the European Eco-Label, which addresses compliance with high environmental standards for production and products and the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certificate. This certificate guarantees the fibers are free of harmful chemicals. Lenzing works with the Forest Stewardship Council®  (FSC®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) to ensure the wood is sustainably sourced.  All TENCEL™ lyocell fibers are available with FSC® (C041246) or PEFC™ certification upon request, and have been certified as Biobased under the BioPreferred® Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a governmental body.  

 

You can read more about our ethos here. We’re not perfect. But we’re trying our best and want to be as transparent as possible.

 

Thanks x