Bamboo fabric that creases and how to avoid it

Short answer: Most wrinkles form during the spin cycle and afterwards in the basket. Shake the garment out right away, hang it to dry in shape, and let steam from a shower handle the rest.

Where wrinkles form

Wrinkles form when damp fabric gets pressed together and dries fixed in that position. It happens in the drum right after spinning and in a tightly packed laundry basket. The longer it sits that way, the deeper the wrinkles set, and the more effort it takes to get them back out afterwards.

The two minutes that make the difference

Take the laundry out as soon as the cycle finishes, ideally within the first few minutes. Shake each garment out firmly, smooth edges and seams with your hand, and hang it straight away on a hanger or drying rack. That small effort removes most of the ironing later in the day.

Steam instead of an iron

Hang the garment in the bathroom while you shower or bathe. The steam relaxes the fibres, and most wrinkles drop out on their own within about twenty minutes without any further effort. A steamer works the same way and is often gentler on bamboo fabric than an ordinary hot iron pressed directly on it.

When you do need to iron

Iron on low heat, ideally while the fabric is still slightly damp, and place a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric for extra protection. Too much heat leaves shiny marks that do not disappear afterward, no matter how many times the garment gets washed or steamed later on.

The basket matters too

An overfilled laundry basket presses clothes together the same way the drum does, and wrinkles set in before the wash even starts. Empty the basket regularly, and avoid leaving clothes stuffed in a closed bag for several days if you want them to look neat next time you reach for them.

Difference between thin and heavier qualities

Thinly woven bamboo fabric wrinkles noticeably more than a heavier knit, since the thin fibres offer less resistance to being pressed flat. Shirts and blouses in thin fabric therefore need a bit more attention right after washing than, say, t-shirts and loungewear made from a heavier knit.

Line drying versus sitting in a basket

Drying on a line or rack lets fabric hang freely and straighten itself out along the way, while drying flat in a basket repeats the same problem as the machine. Hang the garment so it does not overlap itself, and let sleeves and hem hang free without getting squeezed.

See also

Choosing a quality that wrinkles less to begin with saves some of the ironing from the start. See bamboo shirt for men and bamboo shirts for women for styles that are easy to keep looking neat without much extra care.

One last thing to remember

Never overload the machine when washing bamboo fabric, since laundry that cannot move freely in the drum wrinkles more during the spin. See bamboo t-shirt for women for an example of a garment that holds up well with the right habits from the start.

Frequently asked questions

Does bamboo viscose wrinkle more than cotton

No, usually less. It settles more easily because the fibre is softer and less stiff, so wrinkles rarely set as deeply as they do in cotton.

Does hanging clothes on a hanger right away help

Yes, it is the simplest habit that works reliably. The weight of the garment pulls most wrinkles out entirely on its own while the fabric dries.

Is it fine to use wrinkle spray

Yes, but plain water in a spray bottle does much the same thing without leaving residue in the fabric, making it an equally good choice.

You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.