Downsides of Bamboo Clothing – What You Need to Know
Short answer: The main drawbacks of bamboo are that bamboo viscose is made chemically, that the clothing needs gentle washing at a low temperature, and that it usually costs more than cotton. If you know the drawbacks, you can make full use of the advantages.
Drawback 1: Production requires chemistry
The bamboo plant grows quickly without irrigation, but the conversion into viscose happens with chemicals. The cellulose is dissolved and spun into new fibres, and how well the chemicals are handled depends on the factory.
What you can look for
You cannot see the factory yourself, but you can see whether the finished clothing has been tested. Look for OEKO-TEX certified products, which are tested for harmful substances in the finished product. The label says something about the clothing on your body, not about the whole production chain.
Drawback 2: It needs gentle care
Bamboo clothing wants to be washed at 30 to 40 degrees and preferably air dried. Hot washes and high temperatures wear the fibres and can cause shrinking. That does not make the clothing difficult in daily life, but it cannot go into the same tough wash as towels and bed linen without suffering over time.
The tumble dryer is the biggest trap
The most common cause of shrunken and fuzzy bamboo clothing is the tumble dryer. Heat and friction at the same time make the fibres contract, and the elastic in waistbands and leg openings loses its stretch. Hang the clothing up instead. Bamboo dries fairly quickly on a rack, so the dryer saves little time.
Delicate while wet
Viscose fibres are weaker when wet than when dry. So avoid wringing the clothing hard or pulling on it straight after washing. Give it a light shake, and lay it flat or hang it to dry in its natural shape. That keeps both the fit and the surface looking good for longer.
Drawback 3: The price
Quality bamboo clothing usually costs more than basic cotton in the same category. That can feel like a big difference when you are holding a pair of briefs. The sums look different, though, if the clothing is worn every day and keeps its shape, because you then need to buy new items less often.
Test before you buy more
The easiest way to judge the price is to try a single item first. Choose a pair of bamboo boxers for men or bamboo briefs for women and wear them for a week. If you notice the difference in comfort and freshness, you will know whether it is worth replacing the rest.
Not all bamboo clothing is the same
Bamboo viscose comes in many qualities, and clothing can be blended with other fibres such as elastane or cotton. Read the fabric label so you know what you are getting. A small share of elastane gives a better fit in underwear, while a higher share of bamboo gives more of the soft, breathable feel.
Weighing drawbacks against benefits
The drawbacks are mostly about production, care and price. The benefits are felt every day: softness, better moisture handling and less odour. If you can live with washing at a low temperature and hanging clothes up, the practical drawbacks are small. Price and chemistry are the points you should decide on yourself.
In short
Bamboo clothing has three clear drawbacks: chemical production, the need for gentle washing and a higher price than cotton. Choose certified products, wash at 30 to 40 degrees and avoid the tumble dryer. That way you get the most out of the material and can judge for yourself whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. See also the guide to bamboo viscose and the environment, washing guide and bamboo and your budget.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest drawback of bamboo clothing?
That bamboo viscose is made with chemicals. Growing the plant is gentle, but processing it into fibres requires chemistry, and the quality depends on the individual factory and its practices.
Can bamboo clothing go in the tumble dryer?
Preferably not. The dryer is the most common cause of shrinking and worn elastic. Air drying on a rack or hanger preserves fit and softness far better over time.
Is bamboo clothing worth the money?
It depends on how much you use it. Clothing that is worn daily and keeps its shape needs replacing less often, so the price per wear can end up lower than expected.
See our range of Copenhagen Bamboo.
