Shiny elbows and knees on bamboo fabric

Short answer: Shiny patches are fibres flattened by rubbing. They cannot be rolled back, but brushing and steam make them less visible.

What the shine is

Fabric looks matt because the fibre surface scatters light. When elbows and knees rub against desk, chair and seat, the fibre ends are pressed flat and the surface starts reflecting light instead. That is why the area looks shiny before there is any hole.

How to make it less visible

Steam the area and then brush it gently with a dry clothes brush in one direction. The fibres partly lift again. A clothes steamer held a few centimetres away works best, while a hot iron placed directly on the fabric makes it worse.

Where the wear starts

Shiny patches start where you rest daily, meaning elbows on a desk and knees on a sofa. Wearing the same two garments all week makes it happen fast. Rotate between several so the wear is spread out. See bamboo sweatshirts for men.

When it is too late

If the fabric has gone thin and pale in the patch, the fibres are worn through and will not come back. The garment still works at home but cannot be restored. See bamboo sweatshirts for women and sweat clothing.

Frequently asked questions

Can the shine be washed out

No. Washing does nothing for flattened fibres. Steam and brushing do more.

Does it happen faster on dark fabric

It is more visible on dark, but it forms just as quickly on light.

Does fabric softener help

No. It makes the fabric smoother and therefore shinier.