Washing before handing things in
Short answer: Everything must be washed and completely dry before it is handed in. Unwashed clothes get sorted out, and damp clothes ruin the rest of the bag, because the moisture causes mould that spreads to everything lying next to it.
Why washing matters
Whoever receives the clothes has neither the time nor the means to wash them. Unwashed clothes are therefore sorted out, however good they otherwise are, and then all your work gathering them was for nothing. Clean clothes are the main condition for them being usable again at all.
Why it must be dry
Moisture in a closed bag causes mould within a few days, and the mould spreads to everything lying next to it. A single damp garment can ruin a whole bag of otherwise good clothes. Take sweatwear as an example, which is often thicker and takes longer to dry.
How long to let it dry
Clothes must be dry all the way through, including seams, waistbands and pockets. Press your fingers on the thickest places before you put them in the bag. It is better to wait an extra day than to risk mould. See also women's long-sleeved bamboo t-shirts and bamboo sheets, where the seams take longest.
Follow the care label
Wash according to the instructions inside the garment, so you do not ruin what you want to pass on. Choose a normal, gentle temperature and do not overfill the machine, so everything gets clean all the way through. Clean and whole matters more than washing everything at once.
Fabric softener is not needed
Clean and dry is the only requirement, so you do not need fabric softener. It can instead leave a film on the fabric and make it less pleasant for the next owner. If you use it anyway, use very little, and let the garment dry fully before packing.
Check for stains after washing
Hold each garment up to the light once it is dry. Stains that can still be seen must either be treated again or put in the pile of worn clothes. Do not dry stains in with heat, because they get harder to remove. It is better to wash once more than to hand in a stained piece.
And if something smells
If clothes smell after washing, wash them again without fabric softener and with a little vinegar in the rinse water. Let them dry outside or by an open window if possible. If they still smell afterwards, they do not belong with the usable clothes, and you should check your local council rules.
Should damaged items be washed too
Yes. Clothes with holes and wear must be washed as well, because people will handle them whatever they end up as. Wash them together with other worn clothes, apart from the good ones. That way you avoid traces of stains rubbing off on good pieces.
Pack only when it is all dry
Put the clothes in a clean, dry bag or box once everything is completely dry. Do not use a plastic bag if the clothes were recently damp, because it holds the moisture in. Write on the bag what it contains and hand it in quickly, so nothing takes up moisture from the air again.
Frequently asked questions
Should damaged items be washed too?
Yes. People handle them whatever they become, and it is far more pleasant for the receiver when everything is clean and dry the moment the bag is opened.
Is fabric softener necessary?
No. Clean and dry is the only requirement. Fabric softener can leave a film on the fabric, so you can safely skip it when you prepare clothes to be passed on.
What if something smells after washing?
Wash again without fabric softener and with a little vinegar in the rinse water, and let it dry fully. If it still smells, keep it apart from the usable clothes in the bag.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
