Clothing for baking at the weekend
Short answer: Baking at the weekend is a calm and fragrant activity, but also quite a floury one. Choose clothes that are soft, not too warm and able to cope with flour and dough, and wear an apron if you like.
Baking is cosiness and mess in one
Baking fills the kitchen with fragrance and warmth, but also with flour, sugar and sticky dough. You use your hands, lean over the table and walk between table and oven. That means your clothes must cope with movement, some heat and stains. Do not wear your best things when you knead. Choose something you will not mind if it gets a dusting of flour.
An apron as the first line of defence
An apron is the simplest way to protect your clothes. It covers the stomach and thighs, where most stains land, and it can be taken off when you are finished. Ideally have an apron with pockets for spoons and tea towels. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it pays to have two so you can change along the way. Under the apron your clothes are then free to be soft and comfortable without you worrying about what happens to them.
Shorts when the oven warms the kitchen
A lit oven can quickly make the kitchen warm, especially if you bake for several hours. A pair of shorts in a soft fabric can be very pleasant because they leave the legs free. See bamboo shorts for women if you want a pair that feels good when the kitchen is warm. Take care at the oven and always use oven gloves when you take out trays and tins.
A light top with sleeves that push up
When baking, short or pushed up sleeves are an advantage, because long sleeves can end up in the dough or near hot surfaces. A pajama shirt can be practical, because you can roll up the sleeves and unbutton it if you get warm. See women's Bamboo Pajama Shirt if you want a top that is soft and easy to adjust. Roll the sleeves up high so they stay clear of flour and heat.
The nightgown in the kitchen
Many people bake in a nightgown or dressing gown on a Saturday, and that is fine as long as it is safe. A long, wide nightgown can come close to a gas flame or a hot hob, so be attentive. See bamboo nightgowns for women if you want one for calm weekend mornings. Wear an apron and keep the hem away from hot surfaces.
Care for clothes after baking
Flour and dough are easiest to remove before they dry. Brush off loose flour and rinse stains in cold water. Warm water can set the dough in the fibres. Then wash viscose from bamboo at 30 to 40 degrees, preferably inside out, with a mild detergent and no fabric softener. Let the clothes dry flat or on a hanger and avoid a hot tumble dryer. Grease stains can be treated with a little washing up liquid before washing.
Frequently asked questions
Which clothing is best when I bake
Soft clothing with short or pushed up sleeves and an apron is best. Avoid wide sleeves that can end up in the dough or close to hot surfaces.
How do I get flour out of clothes
Brush off the loose flour and rinse in cold water before you wash. Warm water can set the dough.
Can I bake in a nightgown
Yes, but be careful around open flames and hot surfaces. Wear an apron and keep the hem of the nightgown away from gas flames.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
