Tumble dryers and bamboo clothing
Short answer: Bamboo viscose can be tumble dried on low heat, but air drying or a rack is better. Heat is the fastest route to shrinkage and a worn surface. Choose a short cycle and low temperature, and take the garment out while it is still slightly damp.
What heat does to the fibres
High heat causes the fibres to contract and become hard. That is where shrinkage comes from, not from the water itself. The fibres lose some of their natural elasticity with repeated exposure to high heat. See bamboo t-shirts for men.
Low heat and short time
Choose a gentle programme and take the garment out while it is still slightly damp. That way the creases fall out on their own while the last bit of drying happens on a hanger. See bamboo clothing for men.
Lint in the filter is your clothing
The lint you empty out of the filter is fibres from the clothing. The more tumbling, the thinner the fabric gets over time, especially for thin, close fitting pieces. See bamboo socks for men.
Sort by thickness first
Thin t-shirts and thick sweatshirts dry at different speeds. Run them separately so you do not overexpose the thin pieces while waiting for the thick ones to finish. It takes a little longer but gives a more even result across the load.
Use dryer balls as an alternative
Dryer balls can shorten drying time slightly without raising the temperature. They separate the clothes from each other so air circulates better around each individual piece.
Clean the filter every time
A clogged filter forces the dryer to use more heat to reach the same result. Clean the filter before every cycle so the machine works efficiently at the lowest possible temperature.
Avoid overloading the dryer
Overfilling the dryer means clothes dry unevenly and may need an extra cycle. That exposes the fibres to more heat than is really necessary for the result. A half full drum almost always gives the better outcome.
Recognise signs of too much heat
Stiffness, a slightly rough surface and visible shrinkage are signs the garment has had too much heat. Turn it down next time, or switch entirely to air drying for that item.
Combine the methods wisely
You can easily start in the dryer on low heat and finish on the rack. That gives the speed of the dryer and the gentle finish of air drying at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Can bamboo clothing go in the tumble dryer?
Yes, on low heat and for a short time. Drying on a rack gives longer life, though, and better preserves the fabric's soft surface over many washes.
Does bamboo clothing shrink in the dryer?
At high heat, yes. Low heat and removing the garment while still slightly damp avoids most of the shrinkage entirely.
Why does bamboo clothing get hard after tumbling?
Heat tightens the fibres noticeably. A short cycle with low heat preserves softness better than a long cycle at high heat and extended drying time.
See our range of Copenhagen Bamboo.
