Fit before and after the first wash

Short answer: At thirty degrees a garment changes only a couple of percent. In a hot wash it can change by half a size.

What happens in the first wash

During manufacture the yarn is stretched, and that tension sits in the fabric. The first wash releases some of it and the garment contracts lengthwise. After that it is stable provided you wash the same way every time.

The numbers in practice

At thirty degrees we are talking about a couple of percent, meaning under a centimetre on a t-shirt. At sixty degrees or in a hot dryer it can reach three to five percent, which is clearly noticeable. See bamboo t-shirts for men.

Do not buy larger expecting shrinkage

With correct washing, bamboo viscose shrinks so little that sizing up is not justified. Choose your true size and wash cool. See bamboo clothing for men.

Wash it alone the first time

New coloured clothes release surplus dye in the first washes. Wash them alone or with the same colour, and you avoid transfer while the garment settles into shape. See bamboo clothing for women.

Frequently asked questions

Does the garment get softer after the first wash

Yes. Manufacturing residue rinses out and the fabric feels noticeably softer.

Should new clothes be washed before wearing

It is a good habit, both for softness and to remove residue from production.

Do all bamboo items shrink the same

No. Dense, heavy qualities shrink less than thin, loosely knitted ones.