How to Wash Bamboo Clothing

Parents love bamboo clothing for its softness, stretch, and breathability. They know it's a great choice for them, but more importantly, for their baby or kiddo.

Like all delicate fabrics, however, bamboo needs special care to stay in top condition. Since Bam & Stitch specializes in bamboo clothing, we know the proper washing and drying steps. This guide breaks down how to wash, dry, and care for bamboo clothing to keep it looking and feeling great.

Quick Answer: How to Wash Bamboo Clothing

Wash bamboo clothing inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild, fragrance-free detergent. Wash it with other soft fabrics, skip bleach and fabric softener, and air dry whenever you can. If you need the dryer, use the lowest heat and pull pieces out while they are still slightly damp.

General Care Instructions for Bamboo Fabric

First, let's look at some quick tips to remember to keep your garments in great condition.

• Turn Inside Out

Turn clothing inside out before washing to prevent pilling and maintain softness. This tip works with bamboo, but it's also useful for most fabrics.

• Don't Overload the Washer

Avoid washing bamboo with heavy items like towels or jeans. Bamboo clothing should have enough room to move freely during the wash cycle. Overloading can create too much friction, leading to pilling or damage to the fabric.

• Wash with Similar Fabrics

If possible, wash bamboo clothing on its own or with other delicate fabrics. This helps prevent damage from rougher materials like denim or towels, which can cause excessive wear.

Step-by-Step Guide: Washing Bamboo Clothing

Bamboo clothing is easy to maintain when you follow the right steps. Here's how to get the best results.

Step 1: Use Cold Water

Bamboo fabric is sensitive to heat, so always wash it in cold or lukewarm water. Hot water can cause the fibers to shrink, reducing the size and softness of your garments. Cold water helps preserve the material's natural qualities and ensures it lasts longer.

Step 2: Use Mild Detergent

Choose a gentle, fragrance-free detergent. Bamboo fabric is often worn close to the skin, so it's important to use baby-safe or fragrance-free options that don't irritate. Harsh detergents can also weaken the bamboo fibers over time, causing the fabric to lose its softness and durability.

Step 3: Gentle Cycle Only

Select a gentle or delicate wash cycle to reduce friction and prevent damage to the fabric. Bamboo fabric is more fragile than cotton, so using a harsher cycle can damage the fibers and lead to premature wear and tear. The gentle cycle reduces friction and agitation, helping maintain the fabric's structure and integrity.

How to Dry Bamboo Clothing

Drying bamboo clothing is just as important as washing it properly. Improper drying methods can weaken the fabric or cause it to lose its softness.

Air-Drying Is Best

We highly recommend air-drying bamboo clothing. Hang or lay garments flat to help preserve their natural fibers. This ensures the prints remain soft and durable for longer.

Air-drying also prevents the fabric from shrinking, which is a risk when exposed to high heat.

Hang your bamboo outfits on a clothesline or drying rack in a well-ventilated space. Likewise, keep them away from direct sunlight to avoid color fading.

Use Low Heat If Necessary

If you're in a rush and need to use the dryer, opt for the lowest heat setting possible. High heat can damage bamboo fibers, causing them to shrink or lose their softness.

To minimize the impact of heat, use a low heat or "delicate" setting on your dryer and remove the clothing while it's still slightly damp. This ensures the fabric retains its shape and texture while preventing over-drying, which can make the bamboo material less breathable and more prone to wear and tear.

Avoid Over-Drying

One of the biggest risks when drying bamboo clothing is leaving it in the dryer for too long. Over-drying can cause the fibers to become brittle, reducing the fabric's longevity. Keep a close eye on your dryer, and make sure the clothing isn't exposed to extreme conditions like high humidity or harsh sunlight for extended periods. This can negatively impact the fabric's texture.

By following these steps, you'll help your bamboo clothing stay soft and comfortable as it continues to last year over year and through several washes.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the right washing and drying techniques, common mistakes can still harm bamboo clothing. Avoid these pitfalls to keep your garments looking and feeling their best.

Avoid Bleach

Bleach is far too harsh for bamboo fabric. It can break down the natural fibers, causing discoloration, weakening the material, and shortening the garment's lifespan.

If you need to remove stains, use a gentle, stain-removing solution designed for delicate fabrics. Stick to oxygen-based, non-chlorinated bleach alternatives, and always test on a small area to be safe.

No Fabric Softeners

Fabric softeners may seem like they keep bamboo clothes extra soft, but they can also coat the fibers and reduce the fabric's natural breathability. Over time, fabric softeners build up, making bamboo feel stiffer instead of softer.

Fortunately, bamboo is already naturally soft, so there's no need for fabric softeners. Stick to mild detergents, and your favorite prints will stay soft on their own!

Don't Use High Heat

Whether it's a hot water wash or a high-temperature dryer cycle, heat can cause significant shrinkage and weaken the bamboo fibers. When using a dryer, stick to the lowest heat setting possible. Otherwise, air dry whenever possible.

How to Prevent Pilling

Pilling happens when bamboo rubs against rough fabrics in the wash or during everyday wear. A few small habits keep the fabric smooth.

Keep Rough Items Out of the Load

Towels, denim, Velcro, and clothes with heavy zippers create a lot of friction. Wash bamboo pajamas and rompers with other soft, lightweight pieces and leave enough room in the drum for everything to move freely.

Use a Mesh Laundry Bag

For small or delicate pieces like hats, bows, and newborn rompers, a mesh laundry bag cuts down on twisting, snagging, and stretching during the cycle.

How to Remove Stains from Bamboo Clothing

Spit-up, food, and diaper blowouts are part of the deal. Treat stains as soon as you can, and go gentle: hot water and hard scrubbing can set stains deeper and wear down the fibers.

Blot, Don't Scrub

Rinse the spot with cold water, then blot it with a mild stain remover. A paste of baking soda and water works well too. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash on a cold, gentle cycle.

Spot-Test First

Diluted white vinegar can help with some stains and odors, but always test it on a hidden area first to make sure it won't affect the print. Skip chlorine bleach and harsh stain sprays.

Ironing and Storage Tips

Bamboo rarely needs ironing. Most wrinkles fall out once the garment is hung up or worn for a few minutes. If you want a crisp look for photos, use the lowest heat setting with the garment inside out, and keep the iron moving. Never use a steam-hot iron directly on a print.

For storage, fold bamboo pajamas instead of hanging them. The fabric has natural stretch, and long-term hanging can pull the shoulders out of shape. Keep them in a cool, dry drawer out of direct sunlight, and skip cedar blocks or scented sachets that can transfer oils onto the fabric.

Does Bamboo Clothing Shrink?

Bamboo can shrink if it is exposed to heat, which is why cold water and low or no dryer heat matter so much. Washed correctly, our NextHug™ Bamboo holds its size and softness wash after wash. If a piece feels snug after a hot cycle, a cool wash and a gentle stretch while damp usually brings most of the size back. For sizing between ages and weights, see our baby and toddler sizing guide.

Keep Every Piece Soft for Years

These steps work for every bamboo piece in your rotation, from our convertible rompers for newborns to two-piece kids pajama sets, swaddles, and kids blankets. Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent, and low or no heat: that is the whole routine. Browse all of our bamboo baby pajamas to add a new print to the rotation.