How to remove stains from bamboo clothing
Short answer: Treat the stain while it is fresh, use cold water first, and never wash hot until the stain is gone. Heat sets almost every stain permanently, so the order you do things in matters more than the product you use.
Speed matters
A fresh stain sits only on the surface of the fibres. The longer it is left to dry, the deeper it goes and the more firmly it bonds with the fabric. Rinse it as soon as you can, even if you cannot wash the garment straight away. A few minutes under the tap often makes the difference.
Cold water first
Rinse the stain from the inside with cold water. That pushes it out the way it came in, instead of forcing it through the fabric. Warm water makes protein and sugar bond with the fibres, which applies to blood, milk, egg and sweet food. See washing and care.
Dab, do not rub
Rubbing pushes the stain deeper and damages the surface of viscose fibres, so the fabric can turn dull or start to pill in that spot. Dab instead with a clean cloth or kitchen paper, working from the edge towards the centre so the stain does not spread. Switch to a clean area once the cloth picks up colour.
Oxygen-based stain remover
An oxygen-based stain remover works on most stains without breaking down the fibres. Apply it directly to the stain and leave it for about twenty minutes before washing. Avoid chlorine, which makes viscose brittle and can yellow the fabric. On strong colours, test the product on a hidden spot first.
Grease stains need washing up liquid
Grease does not dissolve in water alone. A drop of washing up liquid on a grease stain, massaged in gently and rinsed with lukewarm water, works better than most stain removers. The same goes for skin cream and oil, which can settle on pillowcases and duvet covers overnight. See bamboo bedding.
Check before drying
If the stain is still there after washing, the garment must not go in the tumble dryer. The heat will set it for good. Repeat the treatment and wash again instead. Look at the spot in daylight once the fabric is dry, because damp fabric can hide a faint ring. See bamboo underwear for men.
Sweat and deodorant
Yellow marks in the underarms are a mix of sweat and deodorant that has built up over time. Treat them like other stains: soak for about an hour in lukewarm water with an oxygen-based product before washing. A hot wash or the dryer before the stain is gone makes it permanent and very hard to remove.
What to avoid
Do not use acetone, turpentine or strong solvents on bamboo viscose. They can dissolve or discolour the fibres. Also keep the iron away from any stain that has not been removed, because the heat works just like the dryer. If you are unsure about an unusual stain, ask a dry cleaner rather than experiment.
In short
Act quickly, rinse with cold water from the inside, and dab rather than rub. Use an oxygen-based stain remover, and washing up liquid on grease. Keep heat away until the stain has completely gone, and repeat the treatment rather than drying too early. That way most stains come out of bamboo clothing.
Frequently asked questions
Should you use cold or warm water on stains?
Cold. Warm water makes protein and sugar bond with the fibres, so the stain sets. Rinse from the inside, so the stain is pushed out the same way it went in.
Can you rub a stain?
No. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper and damages the surface of the fabric. Dab with a clean cloth instead, working from the edge towards the centre so the stain does not spread.
What if the stain is still there after washing?
Skip the tumble dryer and repeat the treatment. Heat sets the stain permanently. Let the garment air dry and check it in daylight before deciding whether it needs another wash.
See our range of Copenhagen Bamboo.
