Bamboo fabric and the iron, how to avoid damage

Short answer: Bamboo fabric usually tolerates only low heat, so check the care label before you switch on the iron. Often you can avoid ironing altogether by hanging the clothes up damp and smoothing them by hand. If you do iron, choose a low temperature and iron the inside.

Why bamboo fabric is sensitive to heat

Bamboo in clothing is viscose from bamboo, a cellulose fibre that can be damaged by too much heat. An iron that is too hot can leave shiny patches and marks or weaken the fibres. That is why it is important to know the temperature on the care label and to start low before you go higher.

Check the label before you iron

The label in the clothes shows whether and how you may iron. One dot normally means low temperature, and a crossed out iron means you must not iron. For the range for men, check each item separately, because the labels can differ from item to item.

Avoid ironing where you can

Many bamboo items can be smoothed without an iron. Take the clothes out of the machine at once, shake them out and pull them smooth by hand before hanging them up. On a hanger most creases fall out by themselves if the item is still damp. That is gentler on the fabric, and it saves time.

How to iron if you may

If the label allows it, iron on the inside at a low temperature and without pressing hard. Use a thin piece of cotton cloth between the iron and the clothes if you like. Keep the iron moving so it does not stay in one place, and iron while the fabric is still slightly damp, so the creases give way more easily.

Steam instead of an iron

A steamer, or steam from an iron held a little away from the fabric, can release creases without direct pressure. Leave the clothes hanging and let the steam work for a few seconds. Check the label to make sure steam is allowed, and let the fabric dry fully before you put it on.

Socks and underwear should not be ironed

Bamboo socks and underwear should normally not be ironed. The knit can lose shape and stretch from the heat, and there is no reason for it. Hang them up after washing or lay them flat to dry, and the creases sort themselves out when you put them on.

Sweatpants and thicker knit

Thicker items such as bamboo sweatpants for men rarely need ironing. Creases fall out when you wear them, and it is easier to shake them out and hang them up after washing. If you still want to smooth them, use steam and a low temperature.

In short, protect the fabric from heat

Check the label, avoid ironing where you can and use a low temperature on the inside if you must. Steam is often gentler than pressure. Socks, underwear and sweat rarely need ironing. That way you avoid damage and get more from your clothes, which keep both shape and softness after many washes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I iron bamboo clothes?

Only if the label allows it, and then at a low temperature on the inside. Many items can be smoothed without an iron.

What should I do about shiny patches?

They are often caused by too much heat. Try steaming the fabric lightly and smoothing it by hand, but the patches do not always disappear.

How do I avoid creases without ironing?

Take the clothes out of the machine at once, shake them out and hang them on a hanger while still damp.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.