Keeping a bamboo viscose nightgown from shrinking
Short answer: A bamboo viscose nightgown rarely shrinks if you wash it on a gentle cycle at a low temperature and avoid the tumble dryer. It gets too small when heat and hard pulling draw the fibres together, so choose a mild programme, a low spin and let it dry flat.
Why viscose can pull together
Bamboo viscose is a regenerated fibre that soaks up a lot of water and turns weak while it is wet. Heat, a hard spin and the tumble dryer can draw the fibres together, so a bamboo viscose nightgown ends up shorter or narrower. See bamboo nightgowns for women.
Read the label and prepare the wash
The care label in the nightgown is your best guide, so read it before you put the gown in the machine. Turn the nightgown inside out, close zips and buttons, and put it in a wash bag so it is not dragged around the drum with other clothes.
Choosing the programme and temperature
Choose a gentle cycle at a low temperature, usually around thirty degrees, unless the label says otherwise. Use a mild liquid detergent without bleach and little or no fabric softener, which can make thin viscose slick and heavy.
Spinning and taking it out
Set the spin as low as you can and take the nightgown out as soon as the programme ends, so it does not lie wet and creased. Do not wring or twist it, because wet viscose is weak and can be pulled out of shape.
Drying without the tumble dryer
The tumble dryer is the most common reason a viscose nightgown comes out too small. Lay the nightgown flat on a clean towel and shape it with your fingers, or hang it on a wide hanger if it is not too heavy and long.
If the nightgown has already shrunk
Soak it in lukewarm water with a little mild shampoo for a quarter of an hour and ease it gently back into shape while it is wet. Press the water out in a towel and let it dry flat, and do not pull hard, so the fibres are not weakened. See also bamboo sleepwear for women.
Pressing and smoothing with care
If the nightgown has creases, you can hang it in a steamy bathroom or steam it from a distance. If you iron, use low heat on the inside and press down rather than pull, so edges and seams do not lose their shape.
Storage and rotation
Fold the nightgown or hang it on a soft hanger, and rotate between several so they are not washed too often. Keep it away from direct heat and sunlight, and think of a bamboo jogging suit for women as an alternative when you want more cover.
Frequently asked questions
Can a bamboo viscose nightgown shrink?
Yes, if it is exposed to heat, a hard spin or the tumble dryer, the fibres can draw together. Wash gently at a low temperature and let it dry flat, and you lower the risk.
Can the nightgown go in the tumble dryer?
It is not normally recommended, because heat and friction can pull the fabric together. Follow the label and let it dry flat or on a wide hanger.
Can I get a shrunken nightgown back into shape?
Sometimes. Soak it in lukewarm water with mild shampoo and ease it gently into shape while it is wet. Let it dry flat and do not pull hard at the fabric.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
