October 11, 2016
Japanese Tencel
TENCEL® is the lyocell fiber from the house of Lenzing. It is of botanic origin, since it is extracted from the raw material wood. Fiber production itself is extremely ecofriendly, due to the closed loop system.
Tencel is essentially wood pulp that is naturally processed to form cellulose fibers. The wood pulp used to create Tencel comes from sustainably grown trees in areas unsuitable for crop growth and grazing.
The wood material dissolves, and once a certain consistency is reached, it is strained to create long, pure white cellulose fibers. The entire process is known as a “closed loop process. No waste involved.
Tencel is more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen. Easy to care for, it wrinkles less than cotton yet is softer and stronger. it uses 70% less land and 5% less water than cotton production.
It is indeed machine washable, but be sure to set your machine to a gentle setting, using cool water and a mild detergent. Because it is a natural product, it responds best to light and natural cleaning products.
Oxygen and chlorine bleaches won't hurt Tencel fibers, but these products could harm the dye or other finishes applied to the fabric. Some Tencel fabrics can be damaged if you rub them with stain remover while they are wet.
High heat hurts Tencel. Tencel cloth should be hung or laid out flat to dry. Tencel is fundamentally wrinkle- and shrink- resistant, but if you find the need to iron it, be sure to avoid scorching temperatures. Use a warm iron while your Tencel product is still a bit damp, and you will get the best results.