How to wash bamboo sleepwear so it stays soft
Short answer: Bamboo sleepwear stays soft if you wash it gently at the temperature on the label, turn it inside out, skip fabric softener and air dry it. Viscose from bamboo is weaker when wet, so gentle washing is the most important habit.
Start with the label
The care label in the sleepwear is your best guide, because it tells you which temperature and programme suit your fabric. Bamboo sleepwear is viscose from bamboo, often blended with other fibres, and the blend changes the care a little. Read the label before you put anything in the machine, especially with a new set.
Sort and turn inside out
Wash sleepwear with other soft clothes in similar colours and avoid heavy items such as jeans and towels, which rub against the fabric. Turn the sleepwear inside out so the surface wears less and pilling is less likely. Close zips and buttons so they do not catch on the soft knit.
Choose a gentle programme
A gentle programme with a low spin suits bamboo sleepwear best, because wet viscose can stretch. Do not fill the drum completely, so the clothes have room to move freely. Use a mild detergent without bleach and dose it as directed, since too much detergent can leave a stiff film.
Skip the fabric softener
Fabric softener can leave a film on the fibres so they feel less soft and less airy over time. It works the opposite way if you want to keep the smooth feel. If you want the sleepwear to smell fresh you can air it outside or use a light scent in the wardrobe. That way the fabric keeps its natural softness.
Dry it carefully
Take the sleepwear out of the machine straight away and press the water out by rolling it in a towel instead of wringing it. Let it dry flat or on a wide hanger away from direct sun and heat sources. A tumble dryer on high heat can shrink and roughen the fabric, so use low heat if you use one. Look at bamboo sleepwear for women.
How often to wash
Sleepwear should be washed after a few nights, or sooner if you have sweated. Frequent gentle washing does less harm than using the set for too long and then scrubbing hard. If you have several sets you can rotate between them so each gets a rest and lasts longer. Remember nightdresses and loose sets such as bamboo nightgowns for women too.
Storage
Fold the sleepwear in the drawer instead of hanging it so the knit does not stretch at the shoulders. Keep it dry and airy and avoid plastic, which holds moisture. A set that is completely dry when you put it away stays fresh and soft until you need it again.
If the sleepwear has gone hard
If the sleepwear has gone stiff a gentle wash without softener and air drying can often bring back some of the softness. It helps to shake and stretch the fabric lightly while it is damp. The same care suits loungewear such as the bamboo jogging suit for women, so the whole wardrobe lasts.
Frequently asked questions
How hot can I wash bamboo sleepwear
Follow the temperature on the label and choose a gentle programme. High heat can shrink and roughen viscose, so a lower temperature is usually the mildest for the fabric.
Can bamboo sleepwear go in the tumble dryer
It is best to avoid it, because heat and tumbling stress the viscose. Air drying is the mildest. If you use a dryer, choose low heat and take the sleepwear out while it is slightly damp.
Why should I not use fabric softener
It can leave a film on the fibres so the fabric feels less soft and less airy over time. Use a mild detergent and dose it as directed instead.
