The iron left a shiny mark in the fabric

Short answer: Shiny marks are melted or flattened fibres. Steam and brushing soften the effect, but they rarely disappear entirely.

What happened

Bamboo viscose tolerates only low heat. At too high a temperature the fibre surface is pressed flat, and in the worst case the elastane in the blend melts. The surface starts reflecting light, which is why the area looks shiny.

First aid

Steam the area from two centimetres away and then brush it with a soft clothes brush. The fibres lift partly. Repeat a few times and let the garment dry flat. That makes the mark less visible but not invisible.

How to iron from now on

Set the iron to its lowest setting, iron while the fabric is slightly damp and always place a thin cotton cloth in between. Iron from the wrong side where you can. See bamboo shirts for men.

The alternative is steam

A clothes steamer never touches the fabric and therefore cannot create shiny marks. For bamboo fabric it is easier and faster than an iron. See bamboo shirts for women and bamboo t-shirts for women.

Frequently asked questions

Can a shiny mark be removed completely

Rarely. Once the fibre has melted the damage is permanent.

Why does it happen mostly on dark fabric

Because the contrast between matt and shiny is greatest there. It happens just as often on light.

Can you iron over a print

No. Prints melt at low heat and stick to the iron. Iron from the wrong side.