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Viscose fabric, commonly known as rayon, is halfway between silk and cotton. In fact, it is one of the variants of rayon, similar to modal and lyocell. As a clothing fabric, rayon is comfortable to wear in both the summer and winter. It is a soft and shiny clothing fabric that needs proper washing.
We have created this post as your ultimate guide to washing viscose. Before we jump to our main topic, let's understand viscose and how it compares to other fabrics.
Viscose is a semi-synthetic rayon, which is made from wood pulp. It has a drape and smooth feel, similar to silk. Specifically, viscose is a wood pulp solution that clothing manufacturers turn into a fabric.
Moreover, Edward John Bevan and Charles Frederik Cross first introduced viscose in 1883 in a partnership. The aforementioned English chemists introduced it as a cheaper and artificial substitute for silk.
Clothing manufacturers produce viscose from tree wood pulp, such as beech and pine. However, it is also possible to produce from bamboo. As viscose production involves many chemicals, the fabric is semi-synthetic. Viscose undergoes chemical treatments as follows for its production:
Viscose blends well with cotton, polyester, and spandex. It is an excellent fabric, which many blank apparel brands use as a blended fabric for clothes. Next Level and Sport-Tek, to mention a few. Apparel brands use it for clothing because of its lightweight, nice drape, and lustrous finish. What makes viscose a standout clothing fabric is its breathability and comfort.
Viscose offers excellent breathability as a clothing fabric. It allows wearers (users) wearing viscose clothes to stay cool in hot weather. In addition, it keeps them dry during physical activities or in humid conditions. Thanks to the absorbent nature of viscose as a fabric!
Based on the aforementioned characteristics of viscose, it is perfect for the summer and activewear, like customizable wholesale polo shirts. Viscose feels soft against the skin, so users feel comfortable throughout the day wearing it.
Further, you may have an interest in knowing about different types of polo shirts. Then, our blog post on Types of Wholesale Polo-Shirts You Can Wear and Take Advantage of is worth checking out.
Now, let’s compare viscose (rayon) with other fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and modal rayon.
Clothing manufacturers produce viscose from wood pulp and other regenerated cellulose. At this point, you are well aware of that. Contrarily, manufacturers produce cotton from natural materials and polyester from non-renewable petroleum. In addition, they produce modal rayon the same way as viscose but process it more.
Viscose has a soft and silky smooth texture. Cotton has a soft texture, too, and is more comfortable to wear. On the other hand, polyester has a smooth texture plus is durable and wrinkle-resistant. And modal rayon has a soft and smooth texture.
Viscose is less durable when wet. However, it is more durable than silk and less durable than cotton, polyester, and modal rayon.
Viscose fibers tend to wrinkle and crease. The same holds for modal rayon as a clothing fabric. Contrarily, polyester is highly resistant to wrinkles, unlike cotton which is less prone to wrinkling.
Owing to the excellent breathability of viscose, it is ideal for warm weather. Cotton is breathable, too, making it appropriate for garments that users wear close to the skin. Contrarily, polyester is less breathable, and modal rayon is more breathable than viscose.
Viscose absorbs moisture well but is less moisture-wicking compared to polyester and cotton. And modal rayon is both breathable and moisture-wicking.
Viscose is more likely to pill, unlike cotton which is less likely to pill. Contrarily, modal rayon is less likely to pill than viscose, and polyester resists pilling well.
Modal rayon is more eco-friendly than viscose as it uses less harmful waste for production. Conversely, cotton is biodegradable and eco-friendly, unlike polyester made from non-renewable sources.
Viscose blends well with synthetic and natural materials. The same holds for modal rayon fabric with a greater fiber strength. Cotton is versatile, too, as it blends well with other materials. Contrarily, polyester blends well with natural fibers for improved performance.
Moreover, you will often find wholesale t-shirts and athletic-apparel using the above fabrics as a blend, including viscose In fact, you can find some made of viscose as blends, also available at Veetrends.
Proper washing is essential for viscose fabric for a good reason. That is the delicate nature of the fabric. You should always check the care label when washing the fabric. Please remember viscose is often a blend of synthetic and natural material fibers. So, the properties of this fabric can vary based on its blends.
Moreover, you may find out your viscose garment is not machine washable. In that scenario, you can hand wash it in cold water. Luckily, most viscose clothes available today can go in the washing machine.
Here are simple tips you can follow to prepare for washing clothes made of viscose or viscose blends:
As viscose is delicate, you will need to choose the right detergent for washing the fabric. Mild detergent is, of course, the right choice for washing it. What about using fabric softeners on viscose? Find out next if it is a good idea to use it or not.
Frankly, you don’t need to use a fabric softener on viscose. The reason for this is that viscose is naturally soft. In order to maintain its texture, strength, and color, it is best to wash it in cold water.
In any case, let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of using fabric softener on viscose.
Here are the pros of using fabric softener on viscose:
Here are the cons of using fabric softener on viscose:
Eco-conscious individuals prefer eco-friendly options for washing clothes. The same holds for clothing made of viscose or viscose blends. You may also prefer washing the clothes the same way. Luckily, there are ways to do that, as mentioned below:
You can hand wash viscose clothing with a mild and biodegradable detergent. Not to mention, it is the most sustainable method for washing the fabric.
Neither should you wring or twist the fabric. Otherwise, you will increase the risk of microplastic shedding and damaging the fabric. This is specifically true about viscose clothes blended with synthetic fabrics.
Opt for eco-friendly detergents for washing viscose clothes. That is to say, choose phosphate-free, biodegradable, and synthetic fragrance-free detergents.
You don’t need to wash viscose clothing often. So, you should wash the fabric less often, which uses less water and an energy source.
Moreover, lay the clothes flat for air drying after washing the fabric. It won’t only prevent the clothes from shrinking but also save energy.
In addition, you may prefer wearing affordable and eco-friendly options for clothes as an eco-conscious individual. Then, we recommend you consider brands like Gildan, Hanes, Port Authority, and Jerzees.
Not to mention, blank apparel from Jerzees often remains a pick for sports teams, for basketball team uniforms, for example. Also, Veetrends is your one-stop shop to shop for high-quality blank apparel online from top brands, like the ones mentioned already. So, look no further than Veetrends for the best blank apparel at the best price.
The easiest and the recommended method for washing clothing made of viscose is hand washing. However, you may have a concern in mind about how to wash the fabric step-by-step. We have shared steps below to help you out in this respect:
This is how you can hand wash clothing made of viscose or viscose blends. Also, let’s share with you a pro tip here on hand washing viscose clothes.
Squeeze the excess water gently out of viscose clothes when hand washing the garment. Make sure you don’t squeeze too hard as the viscose dries quickly. It will ensure you hand wash your garments to perfection.
It is important to understand the impact of temperature when you are washing viscose clothes. Please remember viscose can shrink if you expose it to hot water above 20 degrees Celsius. So, you should not exceed the temperature above 20°C to prevent your viscose clothes from shrinking.
Also, note that viscose can shrink in the following scenarios:
So, please avoid doing the things above to prevent your viscose clothing from shrinking.
If the care label of viscose garments indicates clothes are suitable for machine washing, follow the best tips. That is to say, follow the tips given below for the best results with matching washing:
Don’t wash viscose clothes with heavy material fabrics, like heavyweight wholesale sweatshirts & hoodies, also available at Veetrends. Otherwise, you can cause friction and snagging to your delicate fabric garments. Washing viscose clothes with heavier fabrics can even cause them to tear.
Also, don’t forget to check out our blog post on Lightweight Vs Heavyweight Fabric: What's the Difference?
Use a mesh laundry bag to wash your viscose clothes. It will prevent your clothes from the chaos of the wash cycle, keeping them contained and protected.
Heat can cause viscose clothes to shrink, distort, and lose their shape. And you certainly won’t like this happening to your clothes. So, use cold water for washing viscose fabric instead of hot water.
When washing viscose clothes, a delicate or gentle wash cycle is recommended. Why? A gentle wash cycle uses lower spins and minimal agitation with slow settings. Most importantly, it feels gentler on the fabric preserving its integrity.
Ideally, enzyme-based laundry detergent pods work well for washing viscose. They not only get rid of stains and odors from the fabric but also aren’t harsh on it. So, you should stick to an enzyme-based laundry detergent pod for washing viscose.
Moreover, we have said that before in this post and emphasize that again. That is you lay flat your viscose clothes to air dry following washing. It won’t only protect the shape of the fabric but also keep its softness intact.
Viscose fabric demands careful washing to preserve its quality as a delicate fabric. Fortunately, there are washing tips you can follow for washing it, which we have shared below, too:
When you are washing viscose clothes, you should always refer to the care label or viscose care instructions first. It will ensure you prevent your clothes from tearing, color bleeding, or ruining.
Use cold water and a delicate detergent for washing the fabric. Gently agitate the fabric without wringing or twisting to preserve it.
When you are machine washing viscose, use a gentle wash cycle. Also, use a mild detergent and cold water for machine washing.
When washing viscose clothes, you should choose biodegradable detergents over conventional laundry detergents. Please note that conventional laundry detergents with synthetic surfactants are harsh on viscose clothing and the environment. So, you should avoid them.
Dry cleaning is a safer option for washing viscose garments. Why? It ensures your garments preserve their color, luster, and drape.
Instead of putting viscose clothes in the dryer, you should air dry them flat. Or you can hang the garments on a padded hanger for drip drying.
Also, let’s share with you common mistakes to avoid when washing viscose clothes to preserve their quality.
Here are the common mistakes that you should avoid when washing viscose fabric to preserve its quality:
Here are the best practices for drying viscose clothes after washing:
Also, don’t forget to explore our blog post on Quick and Easy: How To Dry A Hoodie Like A Pro.
Prior to ironing, always check specific ironing instructions for viscose clothes. In any case, here are techniques you can follow for smoothly ironing viscose garments:
Moreover, hand your viscose clothes immediately after ironing on a clothing hanger. It will help you retain their shape.
Also, don’t forget to explore our blog post on How to Iron a Picture on a Shirt? 10 Easy Ways.
Avoid scrubbing the stained area to prevent viscose yarns from weakening or breaking. In most cases, you can use a diluted white vinegar solution or an oxygen bleach-based remover to remove the stains. Moreover, here are suggested steps you can follow to remove stains from viscose fabric.
Here are long-term maintenance tips on caring for viscose via washing, drying, and ironing:
Use a delicate machine wash cycle.
Opt for 20 degrees Celsius max for the wash cycle to avoid shrinking the garment.
Dry your viscose clothes on a hanger, which is the most appropriate method.
Iron your viscose garments gently to preserve their shape.
Iron viscose clothes whilst damp if your care label instructions ask for it.
Here are special care considerations for taking care of your clothes as viscose blends:
Viscose fabric is commonly recognized as rayon. It is halfway between silk and cotton, produced from wood pulp. It offers excellent breathability and feels soft against the skin, too. As a delicate fabric, it requires proper washing. You must see the care label to find out whether viscose garments are suitable for machine washing or hand washing. Mild detergent and cold water are recommended for washing viscose. And it’s not a good idea to use a fabric softener on viscose.
Moreover, you can use eco-friendly detergents and wash viscose clothes less often as an eco-conscious individual. When washing viscose clothes in a machine, separate them from heavier fabric clothes and use a mesh laundry bag. You can let them air dry on a flat surface to dry. When ironing viscose clothes, set the iron to low settings. Lastly, always see the care label for taking care of viscose-blended fabrics.
Luckily, you can put many viscose clothes available today in the washing machine. However, it is recommended you first check the care label of your viscose or viscose-blended garments. Only machine wash if the care label allows; otherwise, hand washing is the easiest and recommended method for washing the fabric.
You don’t need to wash viscose fabric after every wear. So, you should wash it less often or after a couple of wears.
There are scenarios when viscose can shrink. Washing the fabric in hot water, excessively agitating it, or drying it improperly are those scenarios. So, you should wash viscose garments with care to prevent them from shrinking.
No, you should avoid putting viscose garments in the dryer at all costs. It can cause them to shrink and damage. Instead, you should lay flat your viscose garments to air dry.
In order to get wrinkles out of the fabric, you can iron on a low heat setting with a pressing cloth. It will prevent your viscose garments from scorching and help you get the wrinkles out.