How to dry bamboo clothing

Sep 12, 2026

Short answer: Hang clothes up straight away, pull them into shape and let them dry at room temperature out of direct sun. Heavy items like sweatshirts and hoodies are laid flat, so their weight does not stretch them.

Hang them up straight away

Wet clothes left in the machine get creases that set, and they can start to smell within a few hours. Take them out as soon as the programme ends and hang them up at once. That matters most for thin items like bamboo tops for women, which crease easily.

Shake first

After spinning, the fabric is pressed together. Shake each item a few times before hanging it up. That loosens the fibres, removes many creases and helps the clothes dry more evenly. They also feel softer once dry, because the fibres have not dried in a compressed bundle.

Shape clothes while wet

Pull out the length and smooth the shoulders, edges and sleeves while the fabric is wet. Wet fabric is supple and easy to shape, while dry fabric keeps its shape. That way it dries correctly, also most popular for men, where a T-shirt can otherwise dry crooked.

Lay heavy items flat

A wet hoodie or sweatshirt is heavy, and on a hanger its own weight stretches it. The shoulders can get bumps, and the length can change. Lay it flat on a drying rack instead and turn it once. That applies to the rest of the bamboo sweatshirts for men too.

Room temperature is best

Bamboo viscose dries well at normal room temperature. A drying rack in a room with some air flow is enough. Strong heat from a radiator makes the fibres stiff and can harden the fabric. Opening a window speeds up drying and stops moisture building up in the room.

Avoid direct sun

Direct sun dries quickly, but its rays fade colour over time. It shows most on dark clothes, which can get lighter streaks where they hung in the sun. Dry clothes in the shade or indoors. If they must dry in the sun, turn them inside out to protect the outside.

Give clothes room

Do not hang clothes too close together on the rack. When items touch, they dry more slowly and can develop a stale smell. A little air between each item gives even drying. Use pegs on the edges rather than the middle of the fabric, so no marks appear.

The dryer can be skipped

The tumble dryer speeds up shrinkage, slack elastic and pilling. Air drying avoids all three and is the gentlest choice for bamboo clothing. Thin items are often dry within a few hours, so the dryer rarely saves much time. Use it only on low heat and remove clothes while slightly damp.