Should bamboo clothing be hung or folded
Short answer: Fold anything in soft knit and only hang shirts and dresses. Hangers pull the shoulders out of shape on heavy knitted garments over time, while woven fabric holds its shape well.
Gravity pulls at knits
A knitted garment hanging on a hanger slowly stretches at the shoulders over weeks and months. It first shows up as two pointed bumps right where the hanger ends sit. Knit fabric is more elastic than woven fabric and therefore gives way more easily under its own weight when it hangs freely without support. See bamboo t shirt for women.
Hang what is woven
Shirts and dresses in woven fabric hold their shape best on a hanger, because the weave gives the fabric more stability than knit does. This also applies to blazers and other tightly constructed pieces. Hang them so they avoid creases, and so you can quickly see what is in your closet. See bamboo shirts for women and bamboo dresses.
Fold instead of stacking high
Tall stacks flatten the pieces at the bottom and often leave permanent creases in the fabric. Fold clothes into two layers instead and place them side by side in the drawer or on the shelf. That way there is less weight on each individual piece, and you avoid digging to the bottom for what you need.
Know the difference between knit and woven
Knit is made of interlocking loops, which gives the fabric elasticity and a soft, moldable surface. Woven fabric, on the other hand, is made of threads crossing at right angles, which gives more stability and structure. This difference is exactly why one tolerates hanging while the other should generally be folded.
Wide hangers for heavier pieces
If you still choose to hang heavier knits, always use a wide hanger that spreads the weight over a larger area of the shoulder. Thin metal hangers concentrate all the weight on one small point and create bumps far faster. A wide wooden hanger or a padded model is a better choice for heavy garments.
Store off season clothes folded
Clothing that is not used for a while should always sit folded in a drawer or box rather than hanging unused for months. Even woven fabric can stretch if it hangs too long without being worn or touched. Fold it neatly so it is ready to use once the season comes back around.
Avoid moisture in the closet
Both hung and folded clothes benefit from having air around them, so moisture does not settle into the fabric over time. Do not pack the closet too tightly, whether you hang or fold, and leave enough room for air to circulate freely between the individual garments.
Fold correctly to save space
The best folding method is to bring the sleeves in toward the middle first, then fold the garment into two or three layers depending on size. This creates a tidy rectangle that is easy to stack and also minimizes the number of sharp creases that can turn into visible folds over time.
In short about storage
The rule is simple to remember: fold what stretches, and hang what holds its own shape. Follow that rule of thumb and both knit and woven fabric stay tidier for longer, saving you time fixing bumps and creases later on.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Should t-shirts be hung or folded?
Folded. Hangers create bumps at the shoulders over time on soft knit, since the fabric stretches under its own weight.
What about jersey dresses?
Fold them if they are heavy. Light jersey dresses can hang, but avoid thin hangers, which create bumps at the shoulder.
Do hangers ruin clothes?
Thin hangers usually do. Wide hangers spread the weight better across the shoulder and damage the fabric considerably less over time.
See our range of Copenhagen Bamboo.
