Softening fabric and what happens in the process

Short answer: Fabric is softened mechanically by being washed and worked, or chemically with a softening agent. The first lasts, the second washes out again.

Mechanical softening

The fabric is washed, tumbled and worked during production so the fibres separate from each other. That is the softness that lasts, because it lies in the structure of the fabric rather than in a coating on top.

Chemical softening

Some manufacturers add a softening agent before shipping. That gives a pleasant feel in the shop, but the layer washes out after a few washes and the fabric feels different afterwards. See bamboo t-shirts for women.

How to tell the difference

Wash the garment once and feel it again. If it is still soft, the softness is genuine. If it has become noticeably rougher, it was a coating. See bamboo underwear for women and bamboo clothing for women.

Frequently asked questions

Can fabric be softened at home

Yes, with vinegar in the softener drawer, which removes limescale and soap. Fabric softener does the opposite over time.

Does bamboo viscose get softer over time

A little. It starts soft already and changes less than cotton.

Why is new clothing sometimes stiff

Because a manufacturing residue sits in the fabric. It goes after a couple of washes.