How drying affects the fibres
Short answer: When water leaves the fibre, it contracts. If that happens quickly and under heat, the contraction is harder, and the fabric ends up shorter and stiffer.
Water fills the fibre
A wet fibre is thicker and longer than a dry one, because water sits between the molecules. Drying is therefore always a contraction of the fibre, and it happens however you dry. Speed and shape are what you can influence, and they decide whether the garment feels soft or stiff afterwards.
Speed matters
Slow drying gives the fibres time to find a natural shape without being pulled crooked along the way. If it happens fast and hot, the fabric contracts in one jerk, and the contraction is harder. The result is a garment that has become a little shorter and stiffer. See bamboo nightgowns for women.
The shape is set while it dries
The shape a garment has as it dries is the shape it keeps. If it hangs crooked, lies in folds or is pulled to one side, it stays that way. It is worth spending half a minute straightening it before hanging it. See bamboo envelope sheets and bamboo pillowcases.
Heat makes the contraction harder
Warmth and fast drying make fibres contract more strongly than mild, still air does. You can feel it in a garment that has become slightly smaller or tighter once dry. To avoid it, choose low heat or air drying, and take the laundry out while it is still a touch damp.
Shake out and pull into shape
Shake the garment hard when it comes out of the machine, and pull it into shape with your hands. Smooth seams and cuffs and tug corners and edges so they sit as they should. That saves a lot of ironing, and the garment dries in the shape you want, not in a crumpled lump.
Shade or sun
For colours, shade is better. Sun fades, especially dark colours, and a light surface handles it better than a black one. If you dry outdoors, hang the laundry inside out or pick a shaded spot. That way you get the fresh air without the colours going dull.
Can something dry too much
Yes. Fully dried-out fabric becomes stiff and breaks more easily in the fibres. This applies most if it dries for long in heat, such as too long in a tumble dryer. Take pieces out when they are dry, and do not let them keep taking heat. Hang them up and let them rest at room temperature.
Thin and heavy pieces dry differently
Thin garments dry quickly and lose their shape if they hang crooked. Thick garments dry slowly and can become heavy and pull at the shoulders when hung. Give heavy pieces a flat resting place and thin ones a hanger. Then everything dries in the shape it should, and nothing gets stretched.
Drying in everyday life
Follow a fixed routine: shake out, shape, hang up and let dry away from direct heat. Hang pieces with air between them, and turn them once if it takes long. When the laundry is dry, fold it at once, so it does not lie and pick up new creases.
Frequently asked questions
Should I shape the garment before drying?
Yes. Shake it out and pull it into shape, and you save a lot of ironing. It takes only half a minute, and the garment dries in the shape you want.
Is drying in the shade better?
For colours, yes. Sun fades, especially dark colours. If you dry outdoors, choose shade or turn the piece inside out, so the right side is not hit directly by the light.
Can a garment dry too much?
Yes. Fully dried-out fabric becomes stiff and breaks more easily in the fibres. Take the laundry out when it is dry, and do not let it keep taking heat.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
