The 7 Best Eucalyptus Sheets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Olive + Crate Natural Eucalyptus Sheet Set because it was among the softest and most cooling of those we tested, and is priced very reasonably for a eucalyptus sheet set. Plus, it’s one of only three sets on our list that is certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, meaning it’s been tested and proven safe from harmful substances.For a budget option, the Brielle Home Tencel Lyocell Sateen Sheet Set retained its cooling sensation for the duration of our testing and held up well to laundering. It also has a thicker, higher-quality feel, and deep pockets to fit most mattresses.

Our Testing Process

We tested 19 different eucalyptus sheets in our Lab over several days and then in our homes for up to six months. For our Lab testing, we first visually inspected each sheet set to assess its quality, looking for any loose or uneven threads, imperfections in the dye or pattern, or other flaws. We also measured each sheet and compared its dimensions to those provided by the manufacturer.

Next, we used the sheets to make the bed in our Lab—including the fitted sheet, flat sheet (when applicable), and pillowcases—evaluating how secure they felt to the bed and how easy they were to slide over the mattress or pillows. During this portion of the testing, we took the opportunity to evaluate the texture of the sheets, including whether they felt smooth, silky, crisp (like the Sweave Bedding Eucalyptus Tencel Sheet Set did in our testing), or scratchy.

Once the bed was made, we laid on the sheets for five minutes to assess their breathability, wearing short-sleeved shirts so they could experience the feel of the sheets on bare skin. Upon first lying on the bed, we took note of any cooling sensation. After five minutes, we recorded whether the sheets felt warmer or maintained their cooling sensation. And considering that breathability can be impacted by the density of the material, we held each top sheet up to a light to evaluate whether you can see the light passing through and to what degree. In our testing, the Olive + Crate Natural Eucalyptus Sheet Set had the most impressive cooling abilities, retaining its cooling sensation for the entire five minutes.

Finally, each set of eucalyptus sheets was washed and dried according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After laundering, we remade the beds. To score the durability of the sheets, we took note of whether there was any damage or shrinkage post-wash.

Once Lab testing was complete, we learned the price of the bed sheets and scored their overall value based on their price and performance. We brought the top performers home with us to test on a daily basis for up to six months, evaluating how well they held up to regular use. We are still in the process of long term testing and will continue to update this piece as we gain new insights.

How to Shop for Eucalyptus Sheets Like a Pro

Fiber

Most eucalyptus bed sheets—including all those on our list—are made from eucalyptus lyocell. Lyocell is a fiber made from wood pulp, most commonly eucalyptus, beech, birch, and spruce. It’s made by dissolving wood in a chemical solvent and pushing it through an extruder to form fibers. Tencel, a branded form of lyocell, is well-trusted for its sustainable production process, in which the water is recycled and the solvent is reused at a rate of over 99 percent.

Pocket

Any time you’re shopping for bed sheets you’ll want to consider the pocket depth of the fitted sheet. Pocket depth indicates the maximum mattress height a sheet can accommodate. While a 12-inch pocket depth can technically fit a 12-inch mattress, you’ll usually want to look for a pocket depth that’s at least two inches taller than your mattress, in order to give yourself a little wiggle room. If you use a mattress topper, be sure to count that in your measurements, too.

Thread Count

Don’t let thread count fool you: Because lyocell fibers are so soft, a higher thread count isn’t necessary. Beware of brands with thread counts of 1,000 or higher—some companies try to boost their thread count by using thinner fibers to cram in as many threads as possible. For eucalyptus lyocell, look for a thread count between 300 and 600.

Product Certifications

Independent third-party tests ensure that textiles, such as bed sheets, meet the certain standards for product safety. Because eucalyptus sheets are treated with a chemical solvent during the production process, there can be a residual of these harmful substances on the textile. The Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification ensures that products have been tested and proven safe from harmful substances.

There are two products on our list that received this certification: the Olive + Crate Natural Eucalyptus Sheet Set, our best overall pick, and the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set, our pick for the most breathable sheets. The Made In Green by Oeko-Tex label indicates that the product is both safe from harmful substances and made in environmentally friendly facilities with safe and socially responsible work practices. All Made In Green-certified products are also Standard 100-certified. The only product on our list with the Made In Green certification is the Sweave Bedding Eucalyptus Tencel Sheet Set.

Return Policy

Even when you’ve considered all the factors above, you won’t know if a sheet set is right for you until you sleep on it yourself. This is why most companies offer a sleep trial period in which you can return your sheets for a full refund, ranging anywhere from 30 to 100 days.

Price

Because of the involved and (mostly) sustainable production process, eucalyptus sheets tend to be more expensive than other types of cooling bed sheets. The median price of all the eucalyptus sheets we tested is $150. However, you can find a complete set of eucalyptus sheets for less than $100 for a queen size bed (like the Brielle Home Tencel Lyocell Sateen Sheet Set, our best budget pick). Keep an eye out for department store “white sales” in January and July, the best times to buy home textiles.

More Eucalyptus Sheets to Consider

Nest Bedding Eucalyptus Tencel Luxury Sheet Set: This sheet set used to be our top pick for breathability. We like its softer finish that feels more like a cotton sheet, as well as its cooling ability. However, it falls short of our standard because the fitted sheet ripped after six months of use.

West Elm Silky Tencel Sheet Set: If you prefer the luxe feel of a silkier sheet, these are a great pick for the price. However, they did come out of the wash fairly wrinkled relative to the other sheets we tested.

Molecule Sateen Performance Sheets: Like the Sweave Bedding Eucalyptus Tencel Sheet Set, these sheets are made with a blend of long-staple cotton and Tencel lyocell. This explains their crisp feel, an unusual trait for eucalyptus sheets, but one that is potentially desirable to those who gravitate toward cotton but want the moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties of eucalyptus. However, we prefer the Sweave bedding because it’s available in more color options and comes with the Made In Green by Oeko-Tex label.

Questions You Might Ask

What are eucalyptus sheets?

According to Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association, most eucalyptus is lyocell, a generic term referring to fiber made from wood pulp—most commonly eucalyptus, beech, birch, and spruce. Eucalyptus-derived sheets have a silky, satin-like texture that’s soft, breathable, and naturally hypoallergenic. You might also see the term Tencel associated with eucalyptus sheets—this is a branded form of lyocell that’s trusted for its sustainable production process.

Are eucalyptus sheets eco-friendly?

“Many are, some aren’t,” says Kambak. “There are quite a few chemicals that are used in manufacturing eucalyptus sheets.” Tencel lyocell is trusted for its environmentally responsible closed loop process, which recycles the water and reuses the solvent at a rate of 99 percent.

How do you wash eucalyptus sheets?

For best results, it’s important to be as gentle on your eucalyptus sheets as possible. Eucalyptus-derived Tencel should be washed in cold water with a mild detergent, separate from other laundry to prevent snags or piling. Either line dry or tumble dry on low or no heat, and remove immediately after to reduce wrinkles. Avoid bleach or fabric softener, because the former will cause the sheets to deteriorate while the latter is not necessary, given that eucalyptus sheets grow softer with each wash. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your sheets.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Melanie Fincher, associate commerce editor for Real Simple with three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. To compile this list, we tested 19 eucalyptus sheets in our Lab and in our homes, evaluating them on quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value. For expert tips on how to buy eucalyptus sheets, we tapped Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

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