It is fairly easy to care for your bamboo sheets. You should wash your bamboo bedding in cold water to help retain its shape as hot water may cause shrinkage. In fact, it takes less time to wash your bamboo sheets on the cold setting rather than the hot setting. Plus, using cold water is more energy-efficient!
Washing
It's important to remember that once your washing machine has finished its cycle, your bamboo bed sheets may come out feeling rough or stiff at first. Don't panic - this is completely normal! When the bamboo fabric dries, its super lush and soft feeling will return.
Drying
Speaking of drying, one of the best ways to dry bamboo beddings is by air-drying them. You can hang them outside on a clothesline for an even softer outcome. In the case of inclement weather, you can dry your bamboo bedding in the dryer on low heat and on the tumble-dry setting.
Stain Removal
As for stain removal, it really comes down to the type of stain, how saturated the stain is, and how long the stain has sat in your bamboo sheets. Nearly any oxygenated laundry detergent or stain remover products will do the trick of removing stains from within the bamboo fibres.
Storage
When it comes to storing your sheets, avoid storing them in plastic bags/containers – it might lead to the yellowing of sheets as a plastic bag traps moisture. Also, another thing to avoid is cardboard – it may cause acids to go into the fabric which could lead to unrepeatable damage to your sheets. Keep your bamboo sheets in a cool, dry area that is away from direct sunlight.
Four Simple Steps to Launder Bamboo Bed Sheets
Soaking is a key factor in whitening your sheets. Washing your bedding isn’t a complex process, simply follow these simple care instructions accordingly to whiten your bedding:
- In a large basin filled with warm water, add in any oxygenated detergent with your bamboo bed sheets.
- Let the bedding pre-soak for one to two hours; the longer it soaks, the whiter your bamboo sheets will become.
- Once you're satisfied with your bedding's soak time, place your sheets in the washing machine on the gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent (avoid fabric softeners). Make sure to either wash your sheets alone or with like colours to prevent colour bleeding.
- Once the wash cycle is finished, check to make sure any stains are gone (repeat the process if they're still noticeable). If your bamboo sheets are crisp and clean, hang them either on a clothesline outside to air dry or in your dryer on the low-heat setting and tumble-dry.
Note: Avoid using cleaning products like chlorine bleach, enzyme cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, fabric softener, and even dryer sheets or dryer balls. Chlorine bleach, enzyme cleaners, and hydrogen peroxide will leave your sheets feeling crunchy and itchy; fabric softener and dryer sheets may leave residue on the sheets, rendering them less breathable and moisture-wicking. Not to mention that these products are filled with toxic chemicals that can be harmful to you, your family, and the environment.
Tips for Removing Stains on Your Bamboo Sheets
Some are easy to get out, others not so much. Either way, they can be a pain and will require different removal or wash methods in order to remove them.
Seeing a yellow-brown hue on your sheets is a very normal occurrence. This kind of stain is typically caused by sweat and other bodily fluids interacting with the bacteria trapped in the bamboo fibres.
Sweat Stains
Many people notice these on their pillowcases and where their backs, chest, and shoulders meet the bedding. This is why washing your bamboo bedding at least once per week (no longer than two weeks) can help to protect your sheets' longevity while keeping them healthy and clean.
If you don't wish to use a detergent, want an eco-friendly stain remover, or you're looking for a DIY alternative, you can mix one-part baking soda with two-parts warm water to create a bit of a watery paste. Massage this mixture into the stains you want to remove and then follow the remaining laundering steps above.
Blood Stains
With care, flush your sheet in cold water – this prevents the stain from further setting, making it easier to get out. Next, simply soak your bamboo sheets in an enzyme cleaner and cool water for 15 minutes (the older the stain, the longer you should soak it).
Remember, do not use any hot water or chemicals like bleach products. If the stain isn’t fading, try rubbing the stained sheet in on itself. Be patient as this could take a long time (up to several hours) depending on the age of the stain. To hurry things up a little, try to moisten the stain with a few drops of ammonia and three percent hydrogen peroxide. After a couple of minutes, check for the stain – if it has gone, go ahead and put your bed linen in the wash, if not, rinse it with cold water and repeat the process as needed.