Can you tumble dry bamboo viscose

Short answer: Yes, but on low heat and only when needed. Tumble drying wears the fibres more than any other step in the wash, and air drying gives a longer lifespan.

Low heat if you use a dryer

High heat makes the fibres contract and shrink. This happens mostly in the first tumble, when a new garment can get noticeably smaller. Always choose the lowest heat setting, or a gentle programme if your dryer has one. That way clothes dry without the heat that does the most damage. See bamboo bra.

Lint in the filter is fabric that is gone

All that lint comes from the surface of your clothes. Garments move against the drum and each other, and every turn pulls small fibres loose. It collects in the filter as a grey mat. The more lint, the more fabric has worn away, and over time the surface gets thinner. See women's socks.

Air drying is always gentler

Without mechanical movement there is almost no wear. A rack, a line or a hanger is enough. Clothes hang still while the water evaporates, and the fibres keep their shape. That is why clothes that are air dried last considerably longer than clothes tumbled every time. See women's bamboo T-shirts.

Take clothes out while slightly damp

If you do use the dryer, stop it before everything is fully dry. The last minutes, when the fabric is already dry, cause the most wear and the biggest risk of shrinking. Take clothes out while slightly damp and let them finish on a rack. It also smooths out creases.

Elastic does not like heat

Bras, briefs and socks have elastic that loses its stretch with heat. Even on low heat, the dryer wears the elastic more than a rack does. Dry close fitting items in the air, so they keep their shape and fit well for longer.

Hang things properly

A garment that air dries should hang so that it keeps its shape. Give it a light shake first, and most creases smooth out. T-shirts hang well on a hanger, while knits and heavier items can lie flat on a rack so they are not pulled out of shape by their own weight.

Turn them inside out

If you turn clothes inside out before washing and drying, the inside takes most of the wear. The outside keeps its smooth surface and colour for longer. That applies both in the dryer and on the rack, where sunlight can otherwise fade dark colours if clothes hang outside for long.

Time and space for air drying

The main reason for using a dryer is often time and space. A folding rack that can stand out for a few hours solves most of it. Bamboo viscose clothing is thin and dries fairly quickly at room temperature, especially with a little air in the room.

Frequently asked questions

Can bamboo viscose be tumble dried

Yes, on low heat. High heat makes the fibres contract, and a garment can shrink noticeably in its first tumble, so a low setting matters.

Why does the dryer cause wear

Because clothes move mechanically against the drum and each other. The lint in the filter is fibres torn from the fabric, and the surface gets thinner.

What is the best alternative

Air drying. Without mechanical movement there is almost no wear, and clothes last considerably longer than those tumbled after every wash.