Bamboo bedding at 60 degrees and when it is necessary
Short answer: 60 degrees is for illness in the household and suspected dust mites. For everyday use 40 degrees is enough, and 60 degrees wears noticeably more on colour and fabric. Save the hot wash for the times when there is a specific reason for it.
During illness
After a stomach bug or flu in the household, a hot wash is justified. It is a hygiene measure and not an ordinary cleaning task. Wash the bedding of the person who was ill separately and strip the bed once they are well again. Afterwards you can return to 40 degrees. Read more in washing and care.
For dust mites
Mites thrive in the bed, where it is warm and humid. They die at around 60 degrees, which is why a hot wash is often advised when someone in the household is allergic to mites. A hot wash every other week can be part of that. Talk to your doctor about what else makes sense in your case.
What it costs
High temperatures make colours fade faster and the fabric stiffer over time. A set that is always washed hot lasts less long than one washed at 40 degrees. This applies especially to dark and strong colours, where the difference shows after a few months. See bamboo bedding.
Can bamboo viscose take it
Yes, the fabric can take 60 degrees. It is lifespan and colour that pay the price, not the strength of the fibre. Seams and elastic in fitted sheets feel the heat more than the fabric itself. Always check the care label before washing hot for the first time.
No softener in a hot wash
Fabric softener leaves a film on the fibres, and at high temperatures it sticks even harder. That makes the fabric stiff and cancels the moisture transport that makes bamboo pleasant to sleep in. Use a regular detergent at the lowest dose suited to your water instead, and add an extra rinse.
Drying after a hot wash
Fabric shrinks more easily straight after a hot wash. Dry it on low heat in the tumble dryer or hang the bedding up. Take it out while slightly damp and let it finish drying on a line. That keeps the measurements and stops the seams from pulling in and creating waves along the edge.
Only what is needed
You do not have to wash the whole set hot if only the pillowcase was affected. With a cold, it can be enough to wash the pillowcase hot and the rest at 40 degrees. Think about what was actually in contact with the person who was ill before turning up the temperature.
The everyday alternative
40 degrees with a good detergent is enough for everyday use. The bedding gets clean and the colours last longer. Change your bedding every other week, or every week if you sweat at night, so dirt never has time to settle. See also home and homewear in bamboo.
Two sets make it easier
With two sets of bedding you can change straight after an illness and wash the used set without hurry. That way you do not have to wash and dry on the same day. Each set also gets longer breaks between washes, which extends the life of both.
Frequently asked questions
Can bamboo bedding be washed at 60 degrees?
Yes. The fibre can take it, but it costs colour and lifespan. If you always wash hot, colours fade faster and the fabric becomes stiffer over time.
When should you wash at 60 degrees?
When someone in the household has been ill, for example with a stomach bug or flu, and if you suspect dust mites. With allergies, discuss the rest with your doctor.
Is 40 degrees enough for everyday use?
Yes. Bedding gets clean at 40 degrees with a regular detergent. It is gentler on colours and fabric, so the set lasts longer than if it is washed hot every time.
See our range of Nordic Weaving bedding.
