Washing bamboo pillowcases

Rayon can be super sensitive like Acetate fibers to quite resistant like Lyocell fibers. Seems to depend a lot on what the primary cellulose fiber has been sourced of, what the manufacturing process was like and finally weather the wet pulp was died before extruding and spinning or if the finished fabric was died.
I`ve got a Lyocell (Rayon) cotton blend mattress cover that can be washed hot at 60 �C and tumble dried according to the care tag but it shrinks. No big deal as it can be carefully stretched to its original shape as long as it`s still slightly damp from the dyer.
On the contrary I also got a fitted sheet from the same material with the same care tag which I washed at a super hot 95 �C and it didn`d shrink or wrinkle at all, so it`s hard to predict what your bamboo pillow cases will turn out after a hot wash.
I`d suggest to try at least a warm wash if the care tag allows a low heat dryer. If it turns out good you could try hot wash and see where it gets you. If it shrinks you can still stretch it a bit while still damp but you have to be careful because wet Rayon can tear easily.
I read somewhere that Rayon fibers are more susceptible than cotton fibers to the enzyme cellulase so I`d be careful when using TOL detergents like Persil. I wouldn`t soak any Rayon fibers like bamboo excessively long in a cellulase containing detergent.


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Post# 1167646 12/27/2022 at 12:25 (483 days old) by suburbanmd (Maryland, USA)
Checkrate/Likes Any never-cold-washers here use bamboo linens? How hot a wash can you get away with?

Post# 1167650 , Reply# 1 12/27/2022 at 12:36 (483 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Shouldn't go more than cold (85f) or maybe warm (104f) in gentle or permanent press cycle. Like rayon though made from cellulose bamboo is not a hardy fiber and is prone to shrinking in hot water. If things are badly soiled or have marks try using a good detergent that works well in cold water like Persil or some versions of Tide.

Post# 1167680 , Reply# 2 12/27/2022 at 17:32 (483 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)
Checkrate/Likes Rayon can be super sensitive like Acetate fibers to quite resistant like Lyocell fibers. Seems to depend a lot on what the primary cellulose fiber has been sourced of, what the manufacturing process was like and finally weather the wet pulp was died before extruding and spinning or if the finished fabric was died. I`ve got a Lyocell (Rayon) cotton blend mattress cover that can be washed hot at 60 �C and tumble dried according to the care tag but it shrinks. No big deal as it can be carefully stretched to its original shape as long as it`s still slightly damp from the dyer. On the contrary I also got a fitted sheet from the same material with the same care tag which I washed at a super hot 95 �C and it didn`d shrink or wrinkle at all, so it`s hard to predict what your bamboo pillow cases will turn out after a hot wash. I`d suggest to try at least a warm wash if the care tag allows a low heat dryer. If it turns out good you could try hot wash and see where it gets you. If it shrinks you can still stretch it a bit while still damp but you have to be careful because wet Rayon can tear easily. I read somewhere that Rayon fibers are more susceptible than cotton fibers to the enzyme cellulase so I`d be careful when using TOL detergents like Persil. I wouldn`t soak any Rayon fibers like bamboo excessively long in a cellulase containing detergent.

Post# 1168016 , Reply# 3 12/31/2022 at 21:19 (479 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes I've never tried to rest my head on a bundle of bamboo. What's it like? LOL

Post# 1168028 , Reply# 4 1/1/2023 at 00:13 (479 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes *I�ve had a set of bamboo sheets and pillowcase covers* For almost 10 years, I�ve always wash them in 130� hot water, and use bleach hasn�t seem to affected them at all Overall, I�m not crazy about the feel of them. I prefer the look and feel of cotton, but they have held up well. John

Post# 1168757 , Reply# 5 1/8/2023 at 18:37 (471 days old) by suburbanmd (Maryland, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Tried cheap bamboo pillowcases from Amazon* Well, it seemed worth trying, so I bought a pair of inexpensive ones. Washed one at 60�C in my Little Giant, and dried at "not-sure", because my recent model Whirlpool dryer doesn't have Low-Medium-High markings, rather a range of choices for each load type. I don't think it runs very hot. The pillowcase I washed shrank a little bit, but still fits over a hefty Casper pillow. Haven't slept on it yet.