Which programme to choose on the machine
Short answer: Choose the delicate or gentle programme at 40 degrees with a low spin speed. That is the right choice for almost all bamboo clothing. It puts less strain on the fibres, and that matters most for viscose when it is wet.
What a programme controls
A wash programme controls three things: the temperature, how vigorously the drum moves and how fast it spins. When you pick a programme, you pick a combination of the three. That combination decides how hard the laundry is treated, so the choice of programme matters more than many people think.
Gentle programme and delicates
Choose the gentle or delicates programme at 40 degrees with a low spin speed. That is the right choice for almost all bamboo clothing. The gentle programme turns down all three at once, meaning temperature, drum movement and spin, and it uses more water, so the laundry is rinsed well and handled softly.
Why it suits bamboo viscose
Viscose fibres are weaker when wet. Bamboo fabric is made from viscose, so the fibres are put under most strain during the wash itself. Gentle movement in the drum is therefore more than a detail. It is the simplest way to protect the fabric, and all you need to do is pick the right programme.
Fewer creases and less pilling
Gentle movement and a low spin mean fewer kinks in the fibres and therefore less pilling. Pills form when small fibres tangle on the surface, and rough treatment in the wash produces more of them. With a gentle programme the fabric keeps its smooth surface longer, and the clothes look better even after many washes.
What you accept in return
A low spin means the laundry comes out wetter, and you should plan for that when drying. It is a small price for less wear. Hang things up straight away and give them room, so that they dry evenly on the rack or the line and do not stay damp for too long.
When you can use another programme
Not everything in bamboo needs the gentle programme. Towels and bedding cope with an ordinary coloureds programme at 40 degrees. Underwear and t-shirts gain most from the gentle programme, because they sit close to the body and should keep their shape and softness. Choose by what you are washing rather than using one programme for everything.
Towels and bedding
Towels and bedding are larger and heavier and cope with more. See bamboo towels and bamboo bedding if you want to wash them separately. If you wash them together with underwear and t-shirts, choose the gentle programme, so the finer pieces do not suffer from what is really meant for sturdier textiles.
When the machine only has standard programmes
If your machine only has standard programmes, choose coloureds at 40 degrees and turn the spin speed down manually. Many machines let you set this. Look in the manual if you cannot find it. That gives you most of what a gentle programme would give you, without the fibres being pressed hard.
How to go about it in practice
Check the care label in the garment and follow it if it says something other than 40 degrees. Do not fill the drum completely, so the laundry has room to move gently, and use a mild detergent. See bamboo clothing for women for pieces that suit the gentle programme well.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a difference between delicates and wool
Yes. The wool programme barely moves and is too gentle for ordinary dirt. Delicates and the gentle programme move the laundry more and so clean better, yet stay soft enough for bamboo fabric.
What if the machine only has standard programmes
Choose coloureds at 40 degrees and turn the spin speed down manually, so the laundry is not pressed hard against the drum. Look in the manual if you cannot find the setting.
Will the clothes get clean enough
Yes. The detergent does the work, not the speed of the drum. A gentle programme with a good detergent cleans well when you do not overfill the machine and use the right amount.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
