What you can read from a composition label

Short answer: The declaration shows the fibres as percentages, sorted by amount. It tells you whether there is stretch, whether synthetic material is mixed in, and how the piece should be cared for afterwards.

The percentages are sorted by amount

The fibre with the largest share always appears first on the list. If there is ninety percent viscose and ten percent elastane, it is the viscose that determines the fabric's basic character, while the elastane only contributes the small stretch portion bamboo underwear for men.

Elastane means stretch

If elastane is part of the blend, the fabric springs back into shape after being stretched. Without elastane, the fabric stays in the shape it was pulled into, which is especially noticeable in close-fitting clothing such as underwear and socks bamboo underwear for women.

Polyester changes the care

If polyester is mixed in, the piece typically tolerates more heat during washing and drying, but it can in turn smell sooner after physical activity. It is a trade-off between heat resistance and the ability to carry moisture and odour away facts about bamboo.

Bamboo appears as viscose

The raw material itself is often mentioned in the product name and on the website, but in the legally required declaration, the fibre is listed as viscose. That is because the bamboo stalk is first chemically dissolved and spun into fibre, and it is the finished fibre that gets named, not the raw material how bamboo viscose is made.

The care symbols sit alongside

The symbols next to the fibre percentages show the highest permitted wash temperature and whether the piece can go in the dryer. The two sets of information, fibre content and care symbols, are related but not the same, and both should be read before washing a new garment washing and care.

Why sorting by amount makes sense

By requiring fibres to be listed sorted by amount, the declaration becomes comparable across brands and products. You can easily see whether two pieces share the same main fibre, even if they come from different shops or manufacturers.

Small percentages can still matter a lot

A low elastane share, often only three to five percent, can still make a big difference to how the fabric feels and behaves. It is not just the amount but also the function of the fibre that determines its importance for the finished fabric.

Blends with several fibres

Some garments have three or more fibres listed in the declaration, for example viscose, polyester, and elastane together. The same rule applies here: the fibre listed first makes up the largest share and shapes the fabric's basic character the most.

How to use the declaration in practice

Look at the main fibre first, and use it to judge the fabric's general properties. Then use the smaller shares and the care symbols to understand details such as stretch, heat resistance, and how the piece should be treated when washed.