Zips and hook and loop fastenings that ruin bamboo fabric in the wash

Short answer: Open zips and hook and loop tape tear at thin fibres for the whole cycle. Close them before washing, or put fine items in a mesh bag.

What happens in the drum

During a wash cycle the laundry moves constantly. An open hook and loop strip grabs every loop it meets, and an open zip acts like a row of small hooks. The result is pulled threads and small holes in the thinnest fabric.

The two minutes before the wash

Close all zips, press hook and loop tape shut and do up buttons. Turn jackets and trousers inside out. It takes two minutes and noticeably extends the life of the thin items in the same load.

A mesh bag for delicates

A fine mesh bag protects underwear, bras and thin t-shirts. Do not fill the bag to the brim, because the laundry still needs to move to get clean. See bamboo underwear for women.

Sort by how harsh things are

Wash jackets, workwear and anything with hard details separately. Keep underwear, nightwear and t-shirts in their own load. See bamboo nightwear for women and bamboo t-shirts for women.

Frequently asked questions

Does a mesh bag protect against everything

No, not against heat and not against dye transfer. It only protects against mechanical damage.

Can bras be machine washed

Yes, in a bag on a delicate cycle with the hooks fastened.

What about zips in bedding

Always close them. An open zip in a duvet cover can pull threads in everything else.