With its soft, lightweight texture and beautiful drape, viscose is a wonderful choice for women's clothing. But, like any luxurious fabric, it does benefit from a little extra care.
Here's how to care for viscose garments so they stay soft and hold their shape for years to come.
Why Choose Viscose?
Viscose, also known as rayon, was developed as an affordable alternative to silk, so it has a luxuriously smooth texture, yet is made from wood fibres. Being a natural fibre, it keeps you cool throughout summer and, unlike some other plant-based fabrics, the fabric has a wonderful natural fluidity, which creates soft folds as it falls.
For that reason, you’ll often see viscose used in blouses and dresses because the fabric moves elegantly and flatters any silhouette. It’s also known for its excellent colour absorption, which allows the fabric to hold rich colours and detailed prints.
It’s no wonder it’s such a popular fabric in the fashion industry, but, like all the best things in life, it does require a gentle hand.
How to Wash, Dry and Care for Viscose Garments
Viscose fibres can be more delicate than many synthetic fabrics, and caring for them correctly will help maintain their softness and shape over time.
Good viscose care starts with following the manufacturer's care label, as blended fabrics, like you’ll find in our cardigans, may need to be treated differently. Here are some general tips for caring for viscose.
Washing
Hand washing is often the best method for cleaning viscose garments. Use lukewarm water and a mild detergent, gently agitate the water, then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. If you prefer to wash viscose in the machine, use a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics. Place the garment in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from abrasion.
Drying
Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing and reshape the garment to its original size. Lay it flat on a clean, dry towel to air dry away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Avoid hanging viscose garments to dry, as they may stretch out of shape.
Steaming and ironing
One of the first questions our customers ask before buying this fabric is “does viscose wrinkle?” Like many lightweight fabrics, it can develop creases with wear or after washing. A handheld steamer is often the gentlest way to remove wrinkles without direct contact with the fabric.
If you choose to iron viscose, use a low to medium heat setting and iron the garment inside out to help prevent shine or damage. If your iron has a viscose iron setting, or you're unsure what setting to iron viscose on, we recommend erring on the side of caution and using a lower temperature first.
Storage
Store your clean and completely dry viscose garments folded in a cool, dry place. Hanging them for long periods can cause them to stretch out of shape.
Common Viscose Care Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid washing viscose in hot water, tumble drying on high heat, drying in full sun, or using bleach and harsh chemicals, as these can weaken the fibres over time. Avoid excessive wringing or agitation, as this can cause the fabric to stretch or become misshapen.
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