In this article, we will be talking about lyocell vs. polyester, and help answer questions like which material is better and what are the main differences between them.
So let’s see how these two fabrics compare in terms of comfort, durability, price, breathability, warmth, allergies and more. We’ll also find out which material is more suitable for sheets, pillows, comforters, clothes, etc.
Table of Contents
Lyocell vs Polyester: Quick Comparison
LYOCELL
- Very breathable
- Made from wood cellulose
- Low stretchability
- Suitable for a cold wash
- High moisture absorption
- Non-synthetic
- More expensive than polyester
POLYESTER
- Not as breathable
- Made from polymers
- Medium stretchability
- Cold, warm, or hot temperature wash
- Low moisture absorption
- Synthetic
- Cheaper than most other fabrics
Difference between Lyocell and Polyester
What is Lyocell?
Lyocell fabric is a great eco-friendly fabric that represents a fantastic innovation in the development of environmentally sustainable textiles.
Made from wood cellulose, lyocell textiles are created through the use of nanotechnology that recovers or decomposes all solvents and emissions.
It is 100% biodegradable. One of the most significant benefits is the variety and exceptional comfort you can experience with lyocell clothing.
What is Polyester?
Polyester is usually derived from petroleum and recycled plastics. It is one of the world’s most popular textiles, and it is used in thousands of different consumer and industrial applications.
Between lyocell and polyester, there a couple of differences from the texture of both fabrics, durability, price, feel etc.
We would be highlighting the differences between the two materials based on these factors to offer more insight and help you to decide what is better for you and what you intend to do with the fabrics.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, lyocell is very comfortable because it’s soft, almost like cotton, it is lightweight, very smooth, and breathable. So your clothes, sheets, pillows, and other stuff made from lyocell won’t feel uncomfortable against your body.
Polyester, on the other hand, is not as comfortable because it’s a synthetic material. Wearing a polyester shirt in summer, for example, could leave you sweating more than you usually would.
Price
The technology used in the processing of lyocell fabric makes it more expensive for consumers. This is because it costs more to produce this material compared to other textiles like polyester, and the cost is ultimately transferred to buyers.
The synthetic nature of polyester makes it a less expensive option. The process of manufacturing polyester fabric is quite cheap and it is very common to find polyester fabric in products like sportswear, and they are usually quite inexpensive.
Breathability
One main issue with synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, is that they don’t breathe. When wearing a polyester made outfit, you could find yourself feeling sweaty, or feeling more humid than usual, which can be uncomfortable.
This is because the polyester fabric has deficient moisture absorption, but mixed with other material, it could perform better than it typically would.
Lyocell has natural breathability and greater moisture absorption than polyester. This makes lyocell an ideal choice for the winter and summer seasons.
Uses
Lyocell is used for making dress shirts, towels, bedding, and also underwear. The strength of the lyocell and also its high absorbency profile is making it become a favorite choice for medical dressings.
In manufacturing also, lyocell has substituted for cotton in the fabric parts of conveyor belts because they are resistant to wear and tear.
Polyester fabric is used widely in the clothing industry because it is easy to maintain; it lasts longer and is also inexpensive.
It’s used in manufacturing shirts, hoodies, pants, dresses, underwear, jackets, bedsheets, pillows, comforters, socks, blankets, hats, sheets, upholstery, and rope.
It is very common to look at the label of some of our clothes and find that it has some level of polyester, or it is entirely made of the fabric.
It is often used because of its high tenacity and durability. It can withstand repetitive and robust movements, making it ideal for sports gear.
Durability
Polyester is very durable and can withstand a significant level of wear and tear. Polyester fabric has a very tough strength. When heat pressed, it maintains its creases for a long time, unlike fabrics such as cotton.
On its own, it can be more durable and more reliable compared to when it is blended with other less durable material. Lyocell also has strength and durability. It can handle the stress of use when both wet and dry. Lyocell is also resistant to wrinkles.
Warmth
Lyocell has excellent heat retention abilities. So in freezing weather, blankets, bedsheets, clothes or beddings made from lyocell can help keep you warmer than other fabrics might. Polyester also keeps you warm.
It does not wick the precipitation or moisture, and the tight weave nature of the fabric keeps the heat trapped on the inside. This is why most clothing and outdoor products are made from a bit or entirely of polyester.
Washing and drying
Hand washing is the best method for washing lyocell. It is also safer than a machine wash. It’s recommended that cold water should be used instead of hot water to maintain the integrity of the fabric. Lyocell is also suitable for a machine dry set medium, or it could be hanged to dry.
Washing polyester is very easy as stains don’t stick easily to the fabric, and they can come off easily. You could use either hot, warm, or cold water in the process. It also dries up very quickly because of its texture. So you could air dry or tumble dry at medium temperature.
Allergies
Lyocell fabrics are naturally hypoallergenic. This means that they’re less likely to trigger or cause an allergic reaction, and it makes lyocell an excellent choice for bedding due to the time the average person spends in bed. Lyocell is considered hypoallergenic due to its moisture-wicking properties.
It prevents surface moisture, which is an ideal condition for the growth of highly potent allergens. In some people, however, coming in contact with synthesized material like polyester fabrics can cause instant skin dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis.
Characteristics of lyocell and polyester blend
A perfect blend of both lyocell and polyester for products like pillows, beddings, clothes, etc. offers the best of both worlds. This blend combines the characteristics of the two materials like softness, stretchability, warmth, etc.
Depending on the ratio of the fibers present, bedding with more percentage of lyocell, for example, would be softer or have more traits of lyocell, than linen made of more polyester.
Lyocell vs polyester bed sheets, comforters, pillows: which one is better?
You wouldn’t want to be in bed sweating on polyester, would you?
Our beds or bed spaces are our comfort zones. You would want to come back from a tough day at work and rest your head on soft fabric like lyocell rather than polyester.
Having said that, there are some decent polyester microfiber sheets, comforters, and pillowcases available. They’re more breathable and feel better on the skin than traditional polyester and are much cheaper.
So, if you’re on a tight budget, you might want to try them out.
Lyocell or polyester clothes?
For example, polyester is widely used in sportswear because it causes you to sweat without absorbing moisture, and it’s strong enough for all of the body movement that takes place during exercises.
It’s also common to find suits and other clothing items. They don’t wrinkle easily. Polyester shirts too are not hard to find, but they are not ideal for all seasons.
In the summer heat, polyester won’t be the most comfortable choice fabric for a shirt, because you could find yourself sweating more than you’d like.
However, there tend to be more design options when it comes to polyester and some high-quality polyester microfiber clothes are more breathable while still being quite cheap.
Lyocell is suitable for everyday clothes. It’s a good substitute for cotton, and it’s more breathable. Its texture makes it feel good on the skin, and the fabric doesn’t wrinkle easily.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Lyocell vs. polyester, broken down to several factors that should help you decide on which is suitable for your projects or purchase.
If you’re looking for cheap fabric that is long-lasting, stretchable, great for sports activities, polyester should be your choice.
Lyocell is the right choice for your beddings, pillows, bedsheets, comforters, and everyday clothing. It’s also going to meet your needs if you’re looking for a replacement for your cotton fabric, if your skin is sensitive to allergies or if you desire comfort.
Let us know in the comments if you know of any other differences between these two fabrics or if you have any questions.
