How to read the fibre content on a care label

Short answer: The fibre content on a care label always appears in percent, with the largest share listed first. Viscose from bamboo usually appears as viscose or bamboo viscose, often combined with a smaller share of elastane for stretch and a better fit in everyday wear.

The order tells you the most

The fibre listed first on the label always makes up the largest share of the fabric. If viscose comes first at, say, ninety five percent, the rest is usually elastane. The order is not random, it directly follows the amount of each fibre in the blend.

Why viscose appears so often

Regenerated fibres made from plant mass are labelled viscose regardless of which plant the mass comes from. Some producers add the raw material voluntarily, so bamboo viscose appears on the label, while others stick to the required word viscose without further explanation.

Blends with cotton

Some items blend bamboo viscose with cotton in the same fabric. That makes the textile sturdier at the cost of some of the softness pure viscose is known for. See bamboo t shirt for women for an example of a pure blend.

Elastane provides stretch

Nearly all knitted underwear contains a few percent elastane, because it gives the fabric the ability to stretch and return to its shape. See bamboo underwear for women to see how large that share typically is on an everyday item.

What the percentage actually means

A figure like ninety five percent viscose and five percent elastane describes the weight of each fibre in the finished fabric, not the number of threads. That makes it a reliable figure to compare between items, regardless of which brand they come from.

Symbols say something else

Besides fibre content, the care label also shows symbols for temperature, drying and ironing. The two kinds of information are connected, since a high viscose share usually tolerates lower temperatures than an item with more cotton or synthetic fibre in the blend.

How to use the information in practice

Knowing the fibre content lets you choose the wash temperature and programme that suit that particular item best. An item with a high viscose share lasts longest with gentle handling, while a sturdy cotton blend tolerates a bit more in everyday washing.

Our range

Across our whole range of bamboo clothing for women, the full fibre mix is listed on every single item description, so you always know exactly what you are buying before it lands in the closet at home.

Frequently asked questions

What does viscose mean on a care label?

That the fibre is made from plant mass that has been dissolved and pushed into threads. If the raw material is bamboo, the fibre is often called bamboo viscose instead of just viscose.

Why does almost all underwear contain elastane?

Because elastane gives the fabric stretch, so it holds its shape throughout the day, even after being put on and off many times and washed repeatedly.