How bamboo fabric is dyed
Short answer: Bamboo viscose is dyed like other cellulose fibres, most often with reactive dyes that bond chemically to the fibre. That is why the colour holds better than a print laid on top.
Colour in the fibre
Reactive dyes bond to the cellulose. The colour sits in the fibre and not as a layer on top.
That is why it fades slowly
Because the colour is part of the fibre, it does not disappear in ordinary washing. What fades it is heat and sunlight.
Surplus dye
The first washes rinse out surplus dye. That is normal and stops after two or three washes.
Dark colours
Black and dark blue contain the most dye and therefore release the most at the start. See black and white basic tops.
How to keep the colour
Wash at 30 to 40 degrees inside out, skip the fabric softener and dry in the shade. See the washing guide.
Print on clothes sits on top of the fabric and therefore wears faster than dyed fabric.
See also
More on the subject in does bamboo fabric keep its colour.
Frequently asked questions
Why does new clothing bleed?
It is surplus dye being rinsed out in the first washes.
What fades the colour most?
Heat and direct sunlight, not the washing itself.
Does print hold as well as dyeing?
No. Print sits on top of the fabric and wears faster.
