What temperature bamboo viscose tolerates

Short answer: Bamboo viscose handles 40 degrees without any problem and 60 degrees with a risk of shrinking and colour loss. 30 degrees is enough if the garment was only worn briefly. Here is what temperature does to the fabric and when each setting makes sense.

40 degrees is the standard

At 40 degrees, sweat and bacteria are removed from normally worn clothes, and the fabric takes no harm. It is the temperature most care labels for bamboo viscose point to, and it suits underwear, tops and sweatshirts alike. It is also the recommendation for everything in our most popular styles, unless the care label says otherwise.

Why 40 degrees is enough

Many people think clothes only get clean at high temperatures. But it is largely the detergent that removes dirt and oils, and modern detergents are made to work at low temperatures. Clothes worn for a day are rarely so dirty that they need more. That makes 40 degrees a good balance between clean and gentle.

60 degrees costs lifespan

High heat makes the fibres contract and turns the elastane thread brittle. You can see it in the fit after a few washes, when the garment gets shorter or tighter and the waistband loses its spring. The fabric does not fall apart, but it ages faster. See the care advice for bamboo underwear for men, where the elastic is most exposed.

Elastic and heat

Elastane is the part of a garment that copes worst with heat. Both hot washes and the dryer wear the thread, and the damage only shows after a few washes. Once a waistband has gone slack, it cannot be made firm again. So keep underwear and socks at 40 degrees or lower, and let them air dry.

30 degrees for light wear

If a garment was worn for an evening without sweating, or only tried on, 30 degrees is enough. The low temperature is gentle on fibres and colours and uses less energy. Remember a full dose of detergent so the clothes come out properly clean. See the bamboo sweatshirts for women, often worn only as an outer layer.

Colours and temperature

Dark and strong colours fade faster at high temperatures. So wash black, navy and other dark colours at 30 or 40 degrees, and turn them inside out. Wash new dark pieces separately the first few times if you are unsure whether the dye will run. Light colours can go in with other light colours.

Drying is temperature too

The temperature in a tumble dryer is often higher than in the washing machine, and the fabric is also in motion. That is why it is often the drying, not the washing, that shrinks clothes. Air drying is the safest choice for bamboo viscose. Hang garments up or lay them flat, but not directly on a hot radiator.

Read the care label

The care label shows the highest temperature the fabric is meant for. The number in the tub is a ceiling, not a suggestion to always wash that hot. Feel free to wash lower than stated when clothes are not very dirty. If a garment mixes several materials, the most delicate one always sets the limit.

Frequently asked questions

Do clothes get clean enough at 30 degrees

For light wear, yes, if you use a full dose of detergent. For clothes worn against the skin for a whole day, 40 degrees is the better choice.

When does 60 degrees make sense

Rarely. If someone in the household is ill, it can be an option, but it costs lifespan and wears out the elastic faster. Always check the care label first.

Does the fabric shrink at 40 degrees

Very little, and mostly the first time if the fabric is not pre-shrunk. Air drying and a gentle spin keep shrinkage to a minimum.