Care for it well and it lasts 200+ washes.
Bamboo is tough, but it appreciates a thoughtful wash. Follow this care and your Lilulila pieces will pass from one baby to the next without losing their feel.
The five symbols that matter.
- Wash at 30°C with a gentle detergent, ideally one made for baby clothes.
- Give it two washes before first use — it speeds up bamboo's softness.
- Close the zips and turn garments inside out to protect the print.
- Air dry. Lay the garment flat on a towel or hang it on a hanger.
- Separate bamboo pieces from others with zips, metal buttons or velcro (like jeans), which can snag the fabric.
- No fabric softener. It coats the fibre and cancels bamboo's absorbency.
- No bleach or optical brighteners — they damage the fibre and dull the colours.
- Don't wash too hot. Above 40°C the garment can shrink or lose shape.
- Don't dry in direct sun for long — it can fade the prints.
- Avoid the dryer. Direct heat shrinks and damages bamboo fibre — air dry instead.
Washing in four steps.
Prep
Close zips and buttons, turn the garment inside out and separate by colour the first time.
Wash at 30°C
Normal cycle, gentle detergent, medium spin. No softener or bleach.
Air dry
Lay the garment flat on a towel or hang it on a hanger. Avoid the dryer's direct heat.
Store
Just fold it: bamboo barely wrinkles. Iron only if you need to, on low heat.
The first-wash trick.
Bamboo pieces arrive soft, but reach their best feel from the second or third wash. If they feel a little thin out of the pack, don't worry: wash them a couple of times before first wear and you'll notice the difference. It's normal fibre behaviour.
Questions about care.
Why can't I use fabric softener?
Softener leaves a layer on the fibre that reduces bamboo's ability to absorb moisture — exactly what makes it special in muslins, bibs and pyjamas. Bamboo is already soft and gets softer with every wash, so it doesn't need it.
Does bamboo shrink?
If you wash at 40°C and air dry, barely. Shrinkage risk comes with very hot water or the dryer. Respect the temperature and air dry, and it keeps its shape wash after wash.
Can I tumble dry it?
Better not. The dryer's direct heat can shrink and damage bamboo fibre. Air dry it: laid flat on a towel or hung on a hanger.
Why does pilling appear and how do I avoid it?
To avoid it, minimise friction and heat when washing. Bamboo viscose is a soft fibre that, rubbed harshly, sheds microfibres that tangle into those little balls. Wash inside out, on a gentle cycle, no dryer and away from rough or zipped garments.
My pieces arrived a bit thin, is that normal?
Yes. Bamboo reaches its best feel by the second or third wash. Give it a couple of washes before first wear and you'll see it gain softness and body.
How many washes does it last?
Over 200 keeping its feel and colour, if you follow this care. That's why many families pass the pieces from one sibling to the next.