Thermal comfort qualities of hybrid woven fabrics with cotton/tencel fibers used in home textiles

Home textiles that combine comfort and aesthetics are becoming more popular among consumers. Bedding materials contribute to the thermal environment surrounding the body through their heat- and moisture-transfer characteristics. Material parameters such as fiber type, finishing processes, and fabric structure may therefore influence the thermal comfort conditions experienced during sleep. This study aimed to characterize key thermal comfort parameters of home textile products, including thermal resistance (expressed in Tog units), heat retention ability, water vapour resistance (determined using the sweat-guarded plate method), and air permeability. Fabrics manufactured in two different patterns using cotton and cotton/Tencel hybrid yarns were subjected to a raising process, and the different fabric compositions were examined for thermal comfort. Fabric thicknesses, the type of raw material used, the types of patterns, and the finishing processes applied were evaluated by comparison in adherence to ISO standards. Raising and various weaving structures affected heat resistance qualities, while raising lowered air permeability. The thermal resistance (Tog) values of the developed fabrics ranged from 0.11 to 0.43 Tog, with the highest value obtained for the raised twill fabric produced from 50% cotton/50% Tencel yarns. Thermal resistance increased by approximately 290%, demonstrating the combined influence of fabric weight, fiber composition, weave structure, and particularly the raising treatment on thermal insulation performance. In addition, heavier fabrics exhibited lower cooling rates and improved heat-retention ability, while the raising treatment significantly reduced both air and water vapour resistance. These findings demonstrate that structural design and surface modification play a key role in optimizing the thermal comfort performance of woven fabrics intended for home textile applications.