Washing bamboo clothing and what happens to the colours

Short answer: Colours fade because of three things: heat, sunlight and mechanical wear on the surface. Detergent matters less than those three, unless it contains bleach. Wash at 40 degrees, dry in the shade and turn clothes inside out, and the colours will last noticeably longer.

Heat loosens the dye

High temperatures in washing and drying are the biggest single cause of fading. Heat loosens dye from the fibre, and each hot wash removes a little more. 40 degrees is enough for normally worn bamboo clothing, and in the dryer you should choose the lowest heat. That way the colour lasts much longer. See washing and care.

Sunlight bleaches

Direct sun on wet clothes bleaches dark colours in particular. It happens faster than many expect, because wet fabric releases dye more easily than dry fabric. Black can take on a brownish cast, and navy can turn dull after a summer on the line. Dry dark clothing in the shade or indoors. That goes for socks too. See all bamboo socks for men.

Wear changes the surface

Black that turns grey is often not faded but worn. Friction in the washing machine has roughened the surface, and the tiny loose fibres scatter light, making the colour look lighter than it is. You can prevent this by turning clothes inside out before washing. Then the inside takes the wear, not the side people see.

Bleach in the detergent

Powder detergent for whites often contains bleach. That is fine for white sheets, but it strips colour from everything else, and the effect builds up wash after wash. Use a colour detergent for anything that is not white. Dark underwear benefits most, because small changes in colour show clearly. See bamboo underwear for men.

Wash similar colours together

New dark clothing releases loose dye onto light clothing in the same machine, especially in the first washes. Sort into lights and darks, and wash new strong colours separately until the water runs clear. That protects light clothes from a grey tint and dark clothes from stains. See bamboo underwear for women.

Load the machine properly

An overfilled machine creates more friction, because the clothes rub against each other instead of moving freely in the water. That roughens the surface and makes dark colours look dull sooner. A drum about three quarters full gives the clothes room to move and the water room to rinse through properly.

Shorter programmes are gentler

Many machines have a quick or delicate programme with less mechanical movement. For lightly worn clothes that is often enough. The shorter the clothes tumble, the less wear the surface takes and the longer the colour keeps its depth. Save the long programmes for towels and bedding that actually need them.

Light colours have their own rules

White and light clothing does not fade the same way, but it can turn grey or yellowish. That usually comes from dye from other clothes or detergent residue that was not rinsed out. Wash light colours separately, dose according to water hardness and avoid using too much detergent. That keeps light clothing bright for longer.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my clothes fade

From heat, sunlight and mechanical wear. Heat is the biggest single factor, so wash at 40 degrees and use the lowest setting if you tumble dry.

Why does black turn grey

Often because the surface has been worn rough, not because the colour is gone. The loose fibres scatter light. Wash inside out and avoid overfilling the machine.