There are dozens of different types of fabrics. Along with more or less familiar varieties, “exotic” variants appear all the time. It’s time to deal with one of them.
What it is?
Tencel is nothing more than the trade name for lyocell matter. Its attractive feature is environmental safety. Despite the novelty, Tencel managed to become a full-fledged alternative to silk and cotton. This fabric was developed in the second half of the 1980s by English textile workers. In just 10 years, the product has gone from a completely new product to a world famous brand, and the technologists who created lyocell were even awarded for their contribution to the protection of nature.
Tensel brand textiles can be soft or silky, in the second case it also has a characteristic gloss. The chemical composition of the tissue can vary significantly. If, in addition to the tensel, there are no other fibers, the matter will be very expensive. But they combine it with other fabrics not only to reduce prices.
They often strive to make products more durable, and therefore add:
- viscose;
- woolen threads;
- cotton;
- bamboo.
Structure
In addition to 100% pure tensel fiber, there are its modifications, mixed:
- cotton;
- modal;
- elastane and other substances.
The addition of synthetic fiber is designed to increase the strength of manufactured products. But in everyday clothes, the most widespread is still a completely natural tensel. Its increased price is justified by long-term comfort in the most severe conditions.To be sure of the complete naturalness of the fabric, you must carefully check the labels, including the wrong side.
This is especially significant when choosing bed linen, since any synthetics are almost unacceptable there.
Manufacture
To make a tensel, one has to turn Australian eucalyptus growing in the cleanest areas of the continent into shavings. They are taken only from special farms, since in the wild there are no security guarantees.
Manufacturing steps:
- the wood is ground, then treated with an organic solvent;
- the resulting homogeneous mass is pressed through holes of a specific configuration;
- under the influence of such a broach and carefully selected reagents, threads are formed;
- the fiber is dried.
During processing, the pulp mass is practically unchanged chemically. The fiber acquires a valuable property - increased wear resistance.
This allows you to apply it:
- in car filters;
- as a fabric for various covers;
- in abrasive materials.
It should be noted that eucalyptus raw materials are not the only possible option in the production of tensel. It can also be obtained from other types of wood. But they are less practical. Fiber of similar composition is made at Russian plants.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tensel, as follows from the description of its scope, is practically universal. By changing the technological regime, it is possible to make thin matter and fabric with a three-dimensional texture out of it. At the same time, hazardous substances are not used in the production process. Subsequently, household items made from Tensel decompose in natural conditions without harming living organisms. Nice appearance and rich colors are created without the use of synthetic dyes.
An important advantage of a tensel is its comfort (both tactilely and due to unhindered air penetration). A fabric made of these fibers does not accumulate charges of static electricity, the appearance of microorganism colonies in it is also excluded. Tencel practically does not tear, because at the same time it is strong and elastic.
If clothes are made from this matter, then it saves heat in cold weather and will be comfortable even in extreme heat. Tensel is notable for its hygroscopicity, and bobbins are not formed on it. The attractive side of the fabric is the minimal risk of allergic reactions and long-term operation. However, one must remember the high prices for tencel and that it “shrinks” a little when used.
Where is it used?
Tencel can be used in a variety of areas.
From it it is equally easy to make:
- daily clothes;
- holiday outfit;
- Underwear.
But the possibilities of using tensel do not end there. It is readily taken by manufacturers of terry textiles, sleeping sets of the highest quality, sports equipment. Moreover, the tensel is widely in demand in the production of cables, various ropes. Excellent dressings are made from it. However, such an application of the Australian product is not the most widespread, it is much more common to make household textiles from it.
Tensel quilt seems completely weightless, at the same time provides its softness and tenderness. Under such a blanket people get enough sleep. Excluded the infection of matter by microscopic ticks. You can also use pillows with tensel filler - they guarantee comfort and health. Such products are equally well suited for both adults and children, it has excellent design properties.
Bed linens made from such a fabric are deservedly considered a wonderful gift. Even after many years, it retains its original qualities. As for clothes made from tensel, there is only one expert advice - it is best to use it in summer.
Matter is perfect for beautiful women's dresses, as it is beautifully draped. In this embodiment, you can reveal all the aesthetic advantages of products.
Comparison with other materials
It is useful to compare the tensel with other fabrics using bedding as an example. It is to him that the most stringent requirements are naturally presented. And therefore, if it is possible to apply fabric for this area, then it will be completely safe as part of clothes. First you need to understand that the question of which fabric is better - satin or tencel, does not make sense. After all, satin is not some specific fabric, but a method of processing it, or rather, a kind of interweaving of fibers.
By their characteristics, however, they are quite similar. The difference is mainly related to the price of such materials. Tencel is better than even first-class cotton, suitable for people with high skin sensitivity. Foci of bacterial infection appear much less frequently in it. That is why bedding made from Australian fabric is recommended to everyone who has cash.
Comparison with other tissues shows that the tensel:
- soft like silk;
- in terms of strength and durability, it is not inferior to flax;
- as pleasant as flax;
- effectively warms, like woolen fabrics.
Care Features
Important! All general recommendations should be applied only secondarily. Most relevant are the requirements that the manufacturer has issued on the label. However, the practice of using eucalyptus matter allows you to give some advice that is suitable in most cases. So, certain types of material allow extremely dry cleaning. Even if washing is possible, liquid cleaners are preferred over powders.
Water for washing should be warmed up to a maximum of 30 degrees. It is best to wash the tensel not in the car, but manually. If you do wash it in a typewriter, you need to use programs without spin. In any case, when a thing is washed, it must be properly dried. Otherwise, mold damage is likely.
Tensel ironing with even the best irons is not recommended. Here you will need to use steamers. If things are left for long-term storage, they must be placed in special bags or covers. Direct exposure to sunlight is unacceptable, this inevitably leads to fading.
Tensel reviews are generally favorable. As always, you need to carefully sort things by color before washing. It is strictly forbidden to wash the Australian fabric with polyester. Their fibers can adhere to each other. As a result, the tensel wrinkles (which should not be normal with it), loses softness.
Important! In order for the washing to be effective, but not to damage the fabric, you need to load the machine only halfway. If you have to iron Australian fiber products, you must first moisten them a little. This technique allows you to simplify ironing and do the job more accurately. It is usually recommended to iron from the inside out, setting the temperature to no higher than 150 degrees. Subject to all recommendations, a long service life is guaranteed.
Overview of Tensel bedding in the video below.
