Cotton, Linen, Bamboo, Tencel, Modal and Microfibre Compared

These are general comparisons. Yarn, weave and finish move the result up or down inside each row. Availability and quality vary by mill and are confirmed per order.

Cotton is absorbent, breathable, and gets stronger when wet, which suits repeated washing. Fibre length is the main quality variable: longer fibres spin into finer, stronger, smoother yarn with less pilling and lint. That is what "long-staple" and "extra-long-staple" mean.

Organic cotton is the same fibre grown to organic rules. It changes the farming, not the staple length.

Blends of polyester and cotton, often called poly-cotton, resist creasing, dry faster and last more washes in aggressive laundering. They are less breathable and absorb less moisture, so they feel different against skin.

Hospitals and high-turnover operators often choose blends for that reason. Hotels that sell comfort often choose cotton percale. Match the fibre to your laundry and your guest.

Flax linen is crisp, textured and very durable, and it softens with washing. It wrinkles easily and costs more. It is a style choice for boutique and resort settings. In this guide "flax linen" means the fibre, to keep it apart from "linen" as a trade word for all bed and bath textiles.

Lyocell is a fibre made from wood pulp in a closed-loop process, which recovers most of the solvent. Tencel is the brand name of lyocell made by Lenzing. It is silky, cool, and absorbs well. It is stronger wet than viscose, but not as strong as cotton.

It suits premium sheets and robes where feel and temperature comfort lead. For towels, cotton remains the default.

Most bamboo cloth is viscose (rayon) made from bamboo pulp. It is soft and drapey, but weaker when wet and less durable under hard laundering than cotton. Labelling rules in some markets require the fibre to be named as rayon or viscose.

Eco claims depend on how the pulp was processed. Treat the fibre on its own merits, and ask how it is made.

Modal is another regenerated cellulose fibre, made from beech wood pulp. It is very soft and resists shrinking better than viscose. In blends with cotton it adds softness and drape. It is weaker than cotton when wet, so it suits lighter use.

Microfibre dries fast, is light to ship and stack, and holds a lot of water for its weight. It does not feel like cotton and can retain oils. High heat in the dryer damages it. It fits gyms, salons, travel and cleaning uses.