How to wash loungewear that is worn every day
Short answer: Homewear is worn for many hours at a time and should be washed after two to three days. Wash at 40 degrees inside out and let it air dry, so the colour and surface last longest.
Many hours at a time
A set of homewear is typically worn six to ten hours a day. That is more than most other items in the wardrobe, so it also gets more use between washes. It is a good reason to think about how you wash it.
Two to three days
After two to three days the fabric has absorbed enough moisture and skin cells that it should be washed. If you sweat or exercise in the set, wash it more often. Air the set between days, and it stays fresh for longer.
Inside out
Sweat fabric pills on the outside, because the surface rubs against other clothes in the drum. Washed inside out, the surface wears less and the set looks neater for longer. Read more about pilling on clothes.
40 degrees is enough
A wash at 40 degrees removes sweat and odour from everyday wear. A higher temperature is not needed and wears both colour and elastic. Use a mild dose of detergent and skip fabric softener, because it coats the fibres and makes the fabric less breathable.
No tumble dryer
Heat wears the elastic in the waistband and makes the fabric stiff over time. Hang the set to dry, ideally spread out on a drying rack, so it keeps its shape. See sweatwear if you want an extra set to switch with.
Two sets in rotation
With two sets, each is washed half as often, and both last longer. It also makes it easier to wash on the right days, because you always have a clean set ready. See bamboo loungewear for women.
Wash the set together
If the top and bottoms are always washed together, they fade evenly and keep looking like a set. If one part is washed more often, a clear difference in colour between the top and the trousers can appear over time.
Do not overfill the machine
An overfilled drum causes more friction between garments and therefore more pilling. The clothes are also rinsed less well, leaving detergent behind. Leave room for a hand at the top of the drum, so the clothes are washed and rinsed properly.
Everyday stains
Homewear often picks up small stains from food and coffee. Treat them with a little liquid detergent before the set goes in the machine, rather than washing at a higher temperature. That way most stains come out without wearing the fabric.
Read more
Homewear follows the same basic rules as the rest of your bamboo clothing. The remaining rules on temperature, detergent and drying are collected in the washing guide, if you want to know more.
Frequently asked questions
How often should homewear be washed?
After two to three days of wear, because it is worn for many hours at a time. If you sweat or exercise in the set, it should be washed more often.
Why inside out?
Because the surface wears and pills less when it does not rub directly against other clothes in the drum. The set therefore looks neater for longer.
Should the set be washed together?
Yes. If the top and bottoms are always washed together, they fade evenly and keep looking like a set, even after many washes.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
