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Viscose is a soft, breathable fabric, and it’s often labeled as rayon on clothing tags. While it offers the comfort of natural fibers with the drape of silk, viscose is not the most durable material when wet. Here’s how to keep your viscose items looking their best.
1) Viscose can shrink, but it depends…
Not all viscose/rayon garments are created equal.
Some are labeled dry clean only, while others are made to handle machine washing. If the care tag allows it, you can *usually* wash viscose at home, but you still need to be gentle.
The biggest risk comes from heat and agitation, both of which can cause the fibers to tighten or warp. That’s why checking the tag before washing is one of the most important steps you can take.
Pro tip: Using a gentle detergent made for delicates (like this detergent) can help protect the fibers during the wash and reduce the chance of shrinking or stretching.
2) What makes viscose shrink?
Viscose (also called rayon) is a semi-synthetic fabric made from natural sources like wood pulp, often from beech, pine, or bamboo wood. It is processed through a chemical method that turns plant cellulose into a soft, breathable textile with a silky feel.
This makes it a popular choice for flowy dresses, blouses, linings, lightweight pants, and even upholstery. People value viscose for its drape, comfort, and smooth texture, and because it offers a similar look and feel to silk at a much more affordable price.
Its delicate structure means it can be fragile when wet. Unlike true synthetic fibers like polyester, viscose lacks elasticity and has poor wet strength, which is why it becomes more vulnerable to shrinkage or deformation during washing and drying.
Hot water or rough motion during washing can cause the fabric to tighten. High dryer heat has the same effect and may lead to uneven shrinkage (or other types of damage). The more heat or motion you expose it to, the more likely you are to see noticeable changes in shape or size.
3) How to wash viscose at home
Yes, some viscose/rayon items can be washed (gently) at home. The care tag on the product will advise whether or not this is right for your product.
If your viscose garment is labeled machine washable, treat it like a delicate. Use cold water and choose a gentle cycle or hand wash (and use a gentle detergent). Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, since that can stretch it out.
Some care tags may specify hand washing only, especially for looser weaves or lightweight garments. This is because even the gentle cycle in a machine can still cause stretching or fiber stress during agitation.
4) Drying viscose the wrong way can ruin it
Another risk is using the dryer. High heat from the dryer is one of the quickest ways to shrink or distort viscose.
Even tumble drying on low can cause the fibers to contract or lose their flow. Some care tags may allow machine dry for viscose (but many do not).
Air drying is usually best. Even hanging wet viscose with a hanger (to dry) can lead to stretching or warping, especially in heavy garments. Once viscose shrinks or stretches unevenly, it’s difficult to return it to its original shape.
Pro tip: A home air-drying rack (like this one) lets you lay viscose garments out flat, which helps preserve their shape and keeps the fabric from becoming stiff or misshapen.
5) How to best remove wrinkles
Viscose wrinkles easily, but it’s also sensitive to heat. Using an iron directly on viscose can cause scorching or leave shiny marks on the fabric.
Steaming is a better option if you need to remove nasty wrinkles. Steaming relaxes wrinkles without applying direct pressure or high heat. That gentle moisture also helps the fabric recover its natural drape after drying or storage.
Pro tip: A handheld steamer (like this one) is an easy way to refresh viscose clothes between wears or after air drying. It smooths out wrinkles with applying direct heat like an iron.
6) Dry cleaning is needed for certain viscose items
Tailored pieces, lined garments, or anything labeled dry clean only should be taken to the cleaner. Dry cleaning avoids water, which is where most viscose issues begin. It also helps the item maintain its original shape and structure.
Casual viscose clothing can often be cared for at home, but dry cleaning is still a good choice if you want a crisp, finished look. It’s also helpful when you’re dealing with clothing that has special detailing or is expensive to replace.
Pro tip: When you’re not sure what to do, check the care label. If it leans toward caution or has specific instructions, it usually means the manufacturer tested the fabric and found water care too risky.
7) Blended fabrics change how viscose behaves
Rayon is often blended with other materials like polyester or spandex. These blends can reduce the risk of shrinkage and improve stretch and durability. However, even a small percentage of viscose in a blend can make the fabric sensitive to heat or rough washing.
Always check the fiber breakdown on the label before assuming a blend is safe for the washer or dryer. The care tag will usually reflect how the dominant fiber behaves in real-world conditions.
8) Viscose is more sensitive than many other fabrics
Compared to polyester, nylon, or other synthetics, viscose is much more likely to shrink or lose shape in the wash. It’s more comparable to cotton or silk in how it reacts to water and temperature.
Unlike cotton, however, viscose doesn’t get softer or stronger with time. Instead, it requires gentle handling from the start. Taking a few precautions early on can help your viscose pieces last much longer and look better over time.
Pro tip: As I mentioned earlier, using a gentle detergent (like this one) made specifically for delicates can help protect against damage when washing viscose/rayon at home.