What to do if the clothes scratch

Short answer: First find out where it itches. A stiff label can be cut off, a single seam may be down to the wrong fit, and if the whole surface itches, it is the material. Each cause has its own solution.

The label can be cut off

A stiff label at the neck or side is the most common cause of itching. Cut close to the seam, but not into the seam itself, so the fabric does not come apart. Leave a small edge if the label sits in a load-bearing seam. Keep the care instructions somewhere first. The same goes for small pieces like bamboo panties.

A single seam is often the fit

If a seam sits wrong, it rubs the same spot all day. It might be a shoulder seam sitting too far forward or a side seam that twists round. Often the size is not quite right, or the cut does not suit your body. Try another size before giving up on the piece. See the bamboo hoodie for women.

The whole surface is the material

A fabric that itches everywhere does not get softer in the wash. The fibres and the way the fabric is made decide how it feels against the skin. One wash may take off a little stiffness, but it does not change the material. If you dislike the feel after the first wash, it rarely gets much better.

Wear a layer underneath

If you like the piece but not the feel on your skin, wear it over another layer. A thin top or t-shirt between skin and fabric solves the problem completely. It works well for knits and wool that are otherwise too rough. That way you can keep wearing the piece without having to throw it out.

Check for detergent residue

Sometimes it is not the material but detergent residue that makes the fabric feel stiff. Too much detergent that is not rinsed out can itch against the skin. Try washing the piece again with less detergent and perhaps an extra rinse. If it feels softer afterwards, the residue was the cause.

Prints and appliqués

A print or appliqué on the inside can also itch. The edges of large prints in particular can be stiff and rub against the skin. Turn the piece inside out and feel where it sits. If you cannot change it, a layer underneath helps. For new purchases, consider pieces without prints where your skin is sensitive.

If your skin reacts

Itching and redness can have many causes, and not all of them are about clothing. If a rash appears, or it continues even after changing clothes and detergent, talk to your doctor. An assessment is better than guessing. Clothing can make a difference, but it is not a treatment.

Choose soft from the start

The easiest solution is a fabric that is soft from the beginning. Feel the fabric before buying, or read what others say about how it feels. Close-fitting pieces and clothes worn all day need a soft material the most. See the favourites among the most popular pieces from Copenhagen Bamboo.

Frequently asked questions

What should you do if clothes itch

Find out where it itches. A label can be cut off, a seam may be down to fit, and if the whole surface itches, the material is the cause.

Does an itchy fabric get softer with washing

Rarely. One wash may soften it slightly, but a fabric that itches across the whole surface will not become comfortable over time, however often it is washed.

What can you do if the material itches

Wear it over another layer. A layer between skin and fabric removes the problem entirely without having to throw the piece out, and it works for most clothes.