How bamboo fabric is dyed
Short answer: Bamboo viscose is dyed like other cellulose fibres, usually with reactive dyes that bond chemically to the fibre. That is why the colour holds better than a print applied on top of the fabric.
Colour in the fibre
Reactive dyes bond chemically to the cellulose in the fibre. The colour therefore sits inside the fibre rather than as a layer on the surface. It is the same type of dyeing used for cotton and other cellulose fibres, and it gives clear colours that withstand normal washing.
Why it fades slowly
Because the colour is part of the fibre, it does not disappear in normal washing. What fades it is mainly heat, sunlight and harsh detergents with bleaching agents. Clothes left in direct sun for hours, or washed hot again and again, lose their colour faster.
Excess dye
The first washes rinse out excess dye that has not bonded with the fibre. This is normal and usually stops after two or three washes. Wash new clothes separately or with similar colours the first few times, so light items do not pick up colour.
Dark colours
Black and navy contain the most dye and so release the most at first. They are also where you notice fastest if the colour turns dull. Wash them inside out at a low temperature. Read about basic colours in black and white basic tops.
White and light clothes
White and light clothes contain little or no dye, but they can pick up colour from other items in the wash. Wash them separately and avoid mixing them with new, dark clothes. Over time, white can turn greyish if washed with coloured clothes, so sort by colour.
How to keep the colour
Wash at 30 to 40 degrees inside out, use a detergent for coloureds, skip fabric softener and dry in the shade. Avoid the tumble dryer, because the heat wears on both colour and fibres. The rest of the routine is in the washing guide.
Prints
Prints sit on top of the fabric and are not part of the fibre. They therefore wear faster than dyed fabric, especially with hot washing or ironing directly on them. Turn printed clothes inside out before washing, and never iron directly on the print.
Yarn dyed and piece dyed
Fabric can be dyed before or after knitting. Yarn dyed fabric is used for stripes and patterns, while piece dyed fabric is dyed as a whole and gives an even colour. In both methods the colour sits in the fibre, and both are washed the same way.
Small differences between batches
Colour can vary slightly from batch to batch, because each batch is dyed separately. This is normal in textile production and does not mean anything is wrong with the garment. If you buy several identical items at once, they are usually from the same batch.
Read more
If you want to know more about how the colour behaves over time and what you can do to preserve it, the topic is covered in does bamboo fabric keep its colour. There you will also find more advice on washing dark and light colours.
Frequently asked questions
Why does new clothing bleed colour
It is excess dye that has not bonded with the fibre. It rinses out in the first washes, which is why it is a good idea to wash new clothes separately at first.
What fades colour the most
Heat, direct sunlight and detergents with bleaching agents fade colour the most. Wash at a low temperature, use a detergent for coloureds and dry clothes in the shade rather than the sun.
Does the colour last better than a print
Yes, because the colour sits in the fibre itself, while a print lies on top of the fabric. Prints therefore wear faster, especially with hot washing or ironing directly on them.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
