Does Lyocell stretch? does Lyocell make your clothes stretchy? Do you have to be mindful of the shrinkage after washing like cotton or linen? Are all Lyocell produced sustainably and is eco-friendly?
Hold on! Before you get to your answer, it is important to know,
What Is Lyocell Fabric Made Of?
Part of the rayon family, it is made from a hardwood trees like eucalyptus, birch, or oak.
They are first broken down into tiny pieces and then mixed with non-toxic chemicals to form softwood pulp.
Then, rinse clean and are laid into sheets to dry, cut into smaller pieces, and submerged in amine oxide to form cellulose fibers.
Does this then make Lyocell a natural fabric?
Not really, unlike cotton or linen, Lyocell is a semi-synthetic fabric but it isn’t a 100% synthetic like polyester. It is made from a natural resource i.e wood but it requires chemicals like amine oxide to form fibers.
so, Does Lyocell Stretch?
Lyocell fabric is not very stretchy by itself because it’s made from wood pulp.
Sometimes, it is mixed with other materials like elastane to make clothes stretchy !
So, if you want your Lyocell T-shirt to have a bit of stretch, you should check if they have elastane or spandex in it!
Does Lyocell stretch In Jeans?
As mentioned before, not unless there’s elastane or spandex in your jeans!
How does Lyocell fabric feel on skin?
Lyocell is often described as “soft to the touch, smooth on the skin,” and “perfect for people suffering from skin irritation.”
However, as an eczema sufferer myself, I don’t find Lyocell as comfortable as cotton.
If you are also suffering from skin irritation and looking at Lyocell fabric, you might want to try it, or opt for cotton!
Does Lyocell Fabric Shrink?
It relatively easy to care for Lyocell as it is machine washable unlike silk, experiences minimal shrinkage in the first wash and varies according to fabric blends.
It is said that Lyocell is “shrink resistant” and generally has minimal shrinkage, but to maintain its shape, you should always follow the care instructions provided.
So, remember to wash in cold water and do not tumble dry.
Are Tencel (Lyocell) shirts wrinkle-free?
It is said that Lyocell is “wrinkle resistant” but I find my long sleeved Lyocell shirt does require some ironing.
It might be less wrinkly unlike linen or cotton shirts. So factors like how worn out your Lyocell shirt is, how you store them can significantly influence its wrinkle resistance.
A pro tip:Always follow your garment tag care instructions, immediately take out your shirts from the dryer, iron them to prepare your garment for the week or fold them neatly inside your wardrobe.
What is the difference between Lyocell And Tencel?
You might have heard about “tencel” —well it’s not a fabric but a brand name for Lyocell.
Lyocell Fabric Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Sustainable fabric,
- Soft on skin,
- Moisture-wicking,
- Relatively Breathable and lightweight,
- Is generally strong and durable.
Cons:
- Shrinkage with high exposure to high temperatures
- Limited Stretch
- Pilling
Since Lyocell is lightweight and breathable its best for summer and for tropical weather however since it can be prone to pilling and has minimal stretch so it is most suitable for formal wear and special occasions than a sports wear.
Is Lyocell Fabric Breathable?
Yes, it is highly breathable, silky smooth, drapes well, soft light weight, comfortable against the skin and moisture wicking.
A good fabric for a dresses, tunics and skirts.
Is Lyocell Good For Hot Weather?
Lyocell and cotton are the go to for summer!
This is because they are:
- Breathable
- Moisture Wicking
- Soft and Smooth
- Cooling on the skin
Is Lyocell a Great Fabric For Women with Sensitive Skin?
yes, eventhough Lyocell fabric is a semi synthetic fabric, it is still as good as cotton, linen, silk and wool if you have sensitive skin
Is Lyocell More Environmentally Friendly Than Cotton?
Cotton is dubbed to be consuming a lot of water during its production but there are sources which says that the usage of water could be better managed by production / manufacturing plants to use less water.
Depending on the manufacturing companies, Lyocell fabrics could be manufactured from unsustainable practices hence it all boils down to the manufacturer.
it’s also a lot more environmentally to be mindful of the wear you’ll get out of the garment you are making.
It is so much more environmentally friendly to buy 1 dress and use it for years to come than buying a ‘sustainable’ fabric every time there’s sale!
As For myself, I am a journey to use less and buy less, it’s important that i’ll make garments using fabrics i feel comfortable in.
So far nothing really beats the feeling of cotton on my skin!
hence i’ll be gravitating more towards cotton than maybe semi-synthetic fabric like Lyocell.
As we strive for sustainability, it’s crucial to be mindful not only of the materials we use but also of how we care for and consume clothing in the long run.
key takeaway:
- lyocell and Tencel are used interchangeable most commonly known as ‘Tencel’
- lyocell is a semi-synthetic fabric, a lot of energy is used to spun the wood pulp into fibres vs naturally occurring material like cotton and linen.
- Lyocell is not stretchy or wrinkle free. Other material like elastane or spandex to change its prperties.
