Washing pajamas so they stay soft
Short answer: Bamboo pajamas stay soft longest if you wash them gently, at low heat with a mild detergent, and dry them without hard heat. Always follow the label, turn them inside out and avoid too much detergent, which can settle in the fabric.
Start with the label
The care label on the pajamas says how hot and how hard you may wash, and it beats any rule of thumb. Brands can have different instructions, so read it every time you get new pajamas, and keep it, so that you can find it again when you stand at the machine.
Turn them inside out
When you turn the pajamas inside out, you protect the surface from rubbing in the drum, and you get less pilling. Close buttons and ties, and put them in a laundry bag if they are very thin, so that they do not snag on other things in the machine.
Gentle programme and low heat
Choose a gentle programme and a low temperature that the label allows. You can look at bamboo sleepwear for women, which is viscose from bamboo, and remember that the fabric can be more fragile when wet, so a gentle wash is the safest choice.
A mild detergent in the right amount
Use a mild detergent in the amount printed on the pack, because too much can settle in the fibres and make the fabric less soft. If you want to use fabric softener, do so sparingly and only if the label does not advise against it, otherwise you can leave it out completely.
Do not wash with heavy clothes
Wash the pajamas with similar, light items in the same colour, and avoid heavy clothes such as jeans and towels that rub against the fabric. An overfilled drum means more wear and more creasing, so leave room, so that water and soap can reach all the way round.
Drying without hard heat
Hang the pajamas to dry if you can, since it is the gentlest way and helps them keep their shape. If they may go in the dryer, choose low heat and take them out while they are still slightly damp, so that they are not dried completely hard.
Storage and everyday use
Fold the pajamas flat and store them dry and airy, so that they do not pick up a heavy smell. If you have several sets, you can alternate between them so that each wears evenly, and you can look at bamboo night pants for women and combine as you like.
When they lose softness anyway
If the pajamas become a little stiff or get pills, it can be due to too much detergent or too hard a wash, so try an extra rinse without detergent and a gentler routine. You can also look at bamboo loungewear for women and use the same gentle wash for it, so that the whole wardrobe lasts longer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep pajamas soft?
Wash them gently by the label, at low heat with a mild detergent, turn them inside out and dry them without hard heat, so that they keep their softness as long as possible.
Do I need fabric softener?
Rarely, and too much can settle in the fibres and make the fabric less soft, so use it only sparingly and only if the label allows it.
Why do my pajamas get pills?
Pills often come from rubbing, so wash gently, turn them inside out, avoid heavy clothes in the machine and do not use more detergent than necessary.
