A quality test after three washes
Short answer: Short answer: New clothes always look good. The real test is how they look after three washes, and there are four things to look for.
Why test after three washes
New clothes look good because they have not been worn or washed yet. Only after a few washes does the fabric show what it can take. The four things to look for are shrinkage, pilling, colour and the shape of the neckline. Together they give a good picture of how the garment copes over time.
Does it shrink
Measure the garment flat across the chest before the first wash and again after the third. Two to three centimetres is normal. More than that means the fabric was not pre-shrunk, and the garment keeps changing size. Write the measurements down, so you do not have to remember them when you compare later. See bamboo t-shirts for men.
Does it pill
Look at the inside of the sleeves and along the sides, where the fabric rubs against the arms and body. Small pills after three washes are early. That points to short fibre or loosely spun yarn, which lets go of threads when the fabric rubs. Pills are not dangerous, but they show what the fabric will look like in a year.
Does the colour hold
See whether the colour has gone dull or still looks fresh. Compare with an unused part of the garment, such as the inside of a seam, where the colour has not been exposed to washing. A dark colour that turns grey and flat after just three washes is not a good sign.
Does the neckline hold its shape
See whether the neckline still springs back when you pull it. These two things, colour and neckline, say the most about how the garment will look in a year. A neckline that waves and hangs after three washes does not get better with time. See bamboo underwear for men and bamboo clothing for women.
How to wash during the test
Wash the garment by the care label and use the same temperature and programme each time. That way you can compare fairly. Avoid the tumble dryer if the label advises against it, otherwise you test both the fabric and your drying method at once. Note the date, so you know when the three washes are done.
Why exactly three washes
Three washes are enough for most of the shrinkage and the first pills to show. After that the fabric changes more slowly, and you can say more calmly how the garment will wear in the long run. Fewer washes give too little information, and many more demand patience you do not need.
Can you make a complaint after three washes
Yes, if the fault comes from production and not from wrong washing. That is why it matters that you washed by the label and can show what you did. Take a photo of the fault and keep the label. Then you have something concrete to show when you contact the shop.
In short
Wash new clothes once before use, and then run the test: measure shrinkage, look for pills, check the colour and test the neckline. Two to three centimetres of shrinkage is normal, and more than that is a warning sign. The test takes a few minutes and says a lot about how the garment will wear.
Frequently asked questions
Why exactly three washes
Because most of the shrinkage and the first pills show up within the three washes. After that the fabric changes more slowly, so three is enough for a first assessment.
Can you make a complaint after three washes
Yes, if the fault comes from production and not from wrong washing. Wash by the care label and take a photo of the fault, so you have something to show.
Should you wash new clothes before use
Yes, once. It removes residue from production, and you get measurements and shape to compare with when you start your own test of the garment afterwards.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
