Can you wash bamboo together with jeans
Short answer: You can, but it is not ideal. Jeans are heavy, have metal buttons and zips and often release dye, so bamboo clothing stays in better condition when it is washed with other light items in similar colours.
Why jeans and bamboo do not mix well
Bamboo viscose is a soft, smooth fibre that becomes weaker when wet. Jeans are made from sturdy cotton twill and are very heavy when soaked. In the drum the heavy denim rubs against the fine knit, and over time this can cause lint, a rougher surface and small bobbles. The difference in weight also means the light clothing is thrown around and pressed harder than it should be during the wash and spin.
Buttons, rivets and zips
Most jeans have a metal button, rivets at the pockets and a zip. These metal parts can catch in fine stitches and pull threads loose. This happens most with thin underwear and T-shirts. Always close the zip, fasten the button and turn the jeans inside out if they have to go in the same load. That reduces the risk considerably. See bamboo T-shirts for men for the kind of light knit that needs that protection.
Dye that transfers
Dark denim is dyed with indigo, and new jeans in particular give off a lot of colour in their first washes. Light bamboo clothing can pick up a bluish or grey tint that is hard to remove again. Wash new jeans on their own a few times. Even older jeans can still bleed a little, so keep light colours completely separate from denim. A colour catcher sheet can help, but it is no guarantee.
How to sort your laundry
Divide clothes by colour and weight. Lights together, darks together, and heavy items such as jeans, towels and sweatshirts in a separate load. Viscose underwear and socks are best placed in a mesh laundry bag so they do not wrap themselves around other garments. Choose 30 or 40 degrees and a gentle programme. See bamboo underpants for men.
When there is only half a load
Many people do not have enough laundry to fill several machines. In that case it is better to wash bamboo clothing with other light items in similar colours, such as shirts or blouses, than to top up the drum with jeans. Wash a little less often, but sort sensibly. Fill the drum to about two thirds so the clothes can move freely and rinse properly.
Underwear needs a little more care
Underwear sits close to the skin all day and needs washing often. It is also the clothing that wears fastest when rough items share the drum. The elastic waistband does best at moderate temperatures without heavy fabrics tumbling around it. See bamboo underwear for men.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature suits both bamboo and jeans
Both are fine at 30 to 40 degrees, but the problem with mixing them is colour and weight, not temperature.
Should I turn bamboo clothing inside out
Yes, it helps. Inside out, the outer surface is protected from rubbing and you get less lint.
Can dye from jeans be removed again
Sometimes with another wash and a colour catcher, but light clothing often keeps a faint tint.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
