Currently, filling for pillows and blankets made from fiber of a special type of bamboo grown in China has become very popular. When growing this plant, practically no chemicals or fertilizers are used, as it grows well in natural conditions. Such agricultural technology ensures the high environmental friendliness of the resulting raw materials, which makes it one of the most popular materials in the manufacture of bedding.
The main reason why consumers prefer pillows and blankets with bamboo filling is that they are absolutely hypoallergenic and are suitable even for very sensitive people who are allergic to other fillings, feathers, down or wool. In addition to all of the above, bamboo fiber is highly hygroscopic and, having a porous structure, provides excellent air circulation. It holds its shape perfectly and does not wrinkle or crumple when used.
If we talk about the advantages of a blanket with bamboo filling, it provides excellent heat transfer, it is very light, these two qualities make it very comfortable to use, it does not get very stuffy or cold under it.
But when purchasing bedding with bamboo fiber, you need to remember that caring for these things differs from caring for all previously familiar materials like cotton, wool, cotton wool and synthetic padding.Remember that when caring for them you need to follow some rules that will ensure the longest service life without loss of original qualities.
Caring for pillows and blankets can be done wet or dry. Drying involves airing the blanket, preferably in the fresh air, and removing accumulated dust from it using a vacuum cleaner or mechanical shaking.
One of the main types of care is washing. Can be washed by hand or in a washing machine.
Regardless of the method, there are several general requirements:
- Do not use any bleaches under any circumstances;
- It is not recommended to use dry cleaning;
- After washing, the products do not need to be ironed;
- When drying, try not to expose the products to direct sunlight.
Before washing, you need to carefully inspect the product, all seams, so as not to miss damage to the integrity of the cover. If you find torn areas, be sure to sew them up before washing to prevent loss of fibers.
Hand wash products with bamboo fiber filling
The water for washing should not be hotter than 30-40 degrees, otherwise the product may become deformed and lose its shape. If this happens, it will be almost impossible to return to its original shape.
It is preferable to use liquid detergent, suitable for delicate fabrics or wool.
Blankets can be washed more often than pillows because they are usually stitched, which prevents the fibers from bunching up. The frequency of washing is three to four times a year.
Products must be rinsed very thoroughly, otherwise the fibers inside will stick together and lose their shape.Therefore, when washing by hand, use as much water as possible, changing it at least three times. It is better not to use various conditioners and rinses.
The main stage is drying the washed product.
Do not wring too hard, and under no circumstances twist blankets and pillows, as when wet, the fibers are very fragile and strong mechanical stress will irreversibly damage them. It is better to squeeze it lightly with a towel. Drying should be done horizontally, not on a line. Since it is problematic to unfold the blanket to its full size, it is permissible to fold it two or three times. It is better to place a towel or cotton fabric folded several times under the drying product so that all the moisture from the product is immediately absorbed. If drying is carried out in a cool room where drying is difficult, then it is advisable to change the linen fabric every day.
The pillow needs to be beaten several times, otherwise the fibers will form a lump.
To speed up drying, you can use warm air flows, for example, a fan heater or heater. Just keep in mind that the air should not be too hot, which will again lead to deformation of the fibers.
Make sure that the products are thoroughly dry inside, otherwise sleeping under them will not be comfortable.
Machine washable
Machine washing is less preferable than hand washing, since in the drum of the automatic machine there is a strong impact on the structure of the fibers. Although some manufacturers promise that their products can withstand five hundred washes.
Put bamboo-filled items in the drum alone, or at least don't wash them with thick, rough fabrics.
You only need to wash it on “delicate cycles”, for example for linen, tulle or wool. If you use the wool mode, remember that this mode generates a lot of foam, so take care of high-quality and thorough rinsing, for example, using the “extra rinse” option. In order to be sure that the rinse was of the required quality, after washing, you can run the products several times only in the rinse mode, preferably in cold water.
Choose a washing temperature of 30 degrees. As with hand washing, use only liquid detergents that do not have a bleaching effect.
After washing, you can spin the items in the machine, but at a speed of no more than 500 revolutions; if your machine has a drying function, then use the most gentle one. It is better to dry it in a machine until it is slightly damp, and then dry it, as with hand washing, in a horizontal position. Before drying, it is better to remove the blanket from the drum and fold it several times or roll it into a tight roller.
A few more rules for using products with bamboo filling:
- Do not store blankets tightly tied, most likely the shape will deteriorate and will not be restored.
- Do not store products with bamboo filling in vacuum or plastic bags; without access to air, the fibers, which are still of plant origin, lose their properties.
- When storing blankets or pillows, make sure that they are completely dry, and the storage location should not be excessively humid and have access to fresh air, otherwise mold will appear on the products.
Nowadays, in addition to filling pillows and blankets, bamboo fibers are used to make bed linen.This linen is usually made with the addition of cotton, but the performance qualities are superior to cotton ones. The color of such bedding is usually white, gray or green, because only natural dyes are used for its coloring, which, as in the case of fillers, ensures high environmental friendliness.
