Before I became a mom, I didn’t pay much attention to what my clothes were made of. If it looked nice, it was good enough for me.
But when I became a mum and my son would get itchy with some clothes, I knew something wasn’t right. So I started to research into the different types of fabrics and it opened up a whole world I never expected. The more I looked into this topic, the more confused I was.
Eventually one fabric stood out: TENCEL™.
If you're a parent trying to make better choices for your child’s skin (and the planet), here are 5 things I wish I had known earlier.
1. It's made from wood.. but feels like silk
TENCEL™ is made from FSC®-certified wood pulp, usually eucalyptus or beech. Sounds rough, right? But it’s actually one of the softest and smoothest fabrics I’ve ever touched.
It’s so breathable and light, you’ll be wondering why they aren’t more widely available.
2. It’s certified safe — from production to finish
What stood out to me about TENCEL™ besides its softness, is that it's certified safe for both the skin and the environment.
TENCEL™ is made in a highly controlled and transparent process. Every step, from sustainably sourced wood to final fibre, follows strict safety and environmental standards. Best of all, no toxic chemicals are involved at any stage of TENCEL™'s production process.
In fact, TENCEL™ is one of the few fabrics that consistently meets these high standards. It has earned the EU Ecolabel, a respected certification awarded to products that are safe, sustainable, and environmentally responsible across their entire lifecycle.
3. It’s not the same as bamboo, and that’s a good thing
Bamboo fabrics are often marketed as eco-friendly, but what many people don’t realise is that most bamboo clothing is made using harsh toxic chemicals. The bamboo plant is natural and requires little resources to grow, the process of turning it into fabric involves chemicals that are harmful to your child's skin, workers and the environment.
Further, the vast majority of bamboo fabrics are not regulated or certified for safety or sustainability, making it hard to know what you’re really getting.
TENCEL™ is different. Its production process is low-impact, non-toxic, and carefully regulated from start to finish.
4. It lasts longer than cotton or bamboo blends
Many soft airy clothes I've gotten have a common problem. They don't last; shrinking, stretching out, developing holes, sometimes within the first month.
TENCEL™ surprised me. It's soft, strong, durable, and holds up beautifully in the wash. It resists pilling, keeps its shape, and doesn’t wear thin easily like some cotton or bamboo materials.
That means fewer replacements, less waste, and more value over time, which, as a parent, I really appreciate.
5. It helps kids stay cool in hot and humid weather
The hot months in Singapore are really no joke. I needed something that wouldn’t trap heat and prevent my kids from heat rash. That's why I love that TENCEL™ is naturally breathable and thermo-regulating. It helps release heat and wicks moisture efficiently so my kids skin stays dry and cool, keeping them comfortable through all their activities.
It’s one of the main reasons parents tell us their kids don’t want to take off our pyjamas!
Key Takeaway: What This Means for You?
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by fabric terms or unsure how to read clothing labels, I get it. I started Mama Pyjama for this exact reason; to give parents a simple, transparent way to choose clothing that’s safe, soft, and suited for our climate.
That’s why every Mama Pyjama design is made with premium TENCEL™ — ridiculously soft, seriously durable, and thoughtfully made for your little one’s everyday comfort.