Spin speed and what it does to the fabric
Short answer: Choose 600 to 800 revolutions for bamboo fabric. A higher speed presses creases into the fibres and wears more than the wash itself. Spinning lower gives fewer creases and a longer life, but wetter laundry and longer drying.
What spinning does
Spinning is the last step of the wash, when the drum turns fast to press the water out. For bamboo fabric you should choose 600 to 800 revolutions. A higher speed presses creases into the fibres and wears more than the wash itself, and many people do not think of that when they pick a programme.
What happens at high speed
At high speed the fabric is pressed hard against the wall of the drum and stays in sharp folds. The faster the drum turns, the harder the clothes are pressed and the deeper the folds set. That strains the fibres more than most people imagine when they watch the drum turn through the door.
Creases that will not come out
In wet viscose the folds set, and they are the creases you see afterwards that will not come out. Wet viscose fibres are weaker, so the folds stay even in dry fabric. It is better to avoid them from the start than to try to remove them later once they have appeared.
Why 600 to 800 revolutions
Choose 600 to 800 revolutions when you wash bamboo clothing. That is enough to get most of the water out, but low enough that the fabric is not pressed into sharp folds. If your machine only has fixed steps, take the nearest one below 800. Check the manual if you are unsure how to change the speed.
What you gain by turning it down
If you turn it down, you get fewer creases, less wear and a longer life. The fibres are not pressed as hard, and the fabric keeps its smooth surface and soft feel for longer. It is a simple change that you only need to make once, and you benefit from it every time you wash.
Longer drying time
In return the laundry is wetter when it comes out, and the drying time gets longer. Allow for that when you plan when the clothes should be dry. Hang them up straight away and give them room, so the air can move around the fabric. Then they dry evenly and do not sit damp in the drum.
Where it matters most
A low speed matters most for t-shirts, dresses and anything else that should look smooth. Here it is the creases you want to avoid, so turning down pays off. See bamboo dresses and bamboo clothing for women for pieces where a smooth look is a large part of the point.
Towels and bedding
For towels and bedding you can safely spin faster. Folds do not matter here, because nobody sees them and the laundry does not need to sit neatly on the body. A higher speed gets the water out and saves some drying time. See bamboo towels if you want to wash them separately and spin faster.
How to set the machine
Sort the wash so that clothes that should look smooth run together at low speed, while towels and bedding are washed separately at a higher step. If you can only choose one speed for a mixed load, choose the lowest. The clothes get a little wetter, but they wear less and crease less.
Frequently asked questions
How much longer does drying take
At 600 rather than 1200 revolutions typically a couple of hours more on the line. It depends on the fabric, the air and the space, but a low spin always means the laundry starts out wetter.
Can you spin an extra time
Yes, but do it at low speed if the fabric is delicate. That gets a little more water out without pressing the fibres together as hard as a high speed does.
Do the clothes get damp in the wardrobe
Only if you fold them before they are completely dry. Let the clothes dry fully on the line or the rack before they go in the wardrobe, and you avoid damp and odour.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
