Last Updated on March 4, 2023
Viscose fabric, also known as pure rayon that shrouds like silk and gives a soft touch like cotton, can easily shrink if not washed with care. The delicate fibers get shortened by the washer’s speedy motion, and the dryer’s heat shrinks clothes.
However, you can prevent viscose from shrinking by hand washing it or following some preventive measures. If you wash or dry viscose clothes in an aggressive wash cycle and under intense heat, the threads will get tighter and shrink quickly.
To get more details about the composition of viscose, how to prevent it from shrinking, how to unshrink it, and the right approach to wash and dry it, continue reading this article.
Why Does Viscose Shrink
Viscose is made of delicate fibers that cannot hold much pressure or force. Also, the threads get weakened when they are wet.
These are usually composed of cheap handmade substances that do not have much strength, just like natural silk.
Any contact with too hot water also disrupts the fibers and leads to shrinking cloth. So, you can easily shrink or tear your favorite viscose clothes inside the washing machine or dryer.
What Is The Basic Composition of Viscose
You are aware of the nature and reasons for viscose shrinking; here is the basic composition of viscose. It’d be easier to treat your viscose clothes correctly when you better understand how it is made.
Extracted By Cellulose
The first step involves collecting the plant or wood extracts to add them to a chemical solution for dissolving. The pulp will convert into cellulose xanthate.
Spinning Fibers to Make Threads
Cellulose xanthate is entered into a machine for perfect spinning. The spin will change it into fibers that will further change into thread. Some other chemicals are also added to the materials.
Spinneret Formation
A special machine is used to make filaments of the threads that are also known as a spinneret.
Weave The Fiber
After making all of these items, the final step involves the formation of fabric. The manufacturer weaves the threads to convert them into fibers that look similar to silk.
Does Viscose Shrink In Dryer
The simple answer to this question is yes. Viscose clothes will shrink in the dryer if you avoid following careful measures mentioned on the label tag. The heat of the dryer not only dries your viscose clothes but it will make the fibers weak and short. The more temperature you will raise, the more shrinking will result. If you leave clothes in the dryer for too long, the fiber will lose its overall strength.
However, low heat in the dryer can prevent viscose from shrinking.
Does 100% Viscose Shrink
Intense heat is the real threat to viscose, leading to extreme shrinking. It causes the fibers to contract faster and get shorter time by time. If you have some favorite viscose clothes, they might get too short to wear after washing or drying.
The heat, poor washing, and drying collectively shrink viscose, and you may not be able to wear those clothes again due to damaged fibers.
Does Viscose Shrink When You Wash It
Yes, viscose shrinks when you wash it, but it solely depends on how you wash it. By taking proper care, you can keep your clothes safe and new. However, washing doesn’t harm the viscose clothes compared to drying, which can prove more harmful.
Sometimes, the viscose loses its strength when washed at home. If the cloth doesn’t shrink, it may tear apart. So, before putting your viscose clothes in a washer, ensure they are safe in the washing machine.
Does Viscose Shrink At 40 Degrees Fahrenheit
Due to viscose fabric’s dainty and absorbing nature, it can’t take much temperature. When you wash or dry it at even 40 degrees Fahrenheit, irreparable damage can occur to the fibers.
It’d be better to avoid washing or drying viscose clothes at higher temperatures.
How to Wash Viscose With Care
Washing viscose in a washer may not be safe only if you are not following the right procedure. Before giving a wash to your viscose fabric, check whether the label displays that the washer is safe or not. You can also test it over a smaller area of the cloth. If the fabric passes this test, proceed further to wash it.
Pretreat Stains
You may want to wash your clothes when they are stained. Before putting viscose clothes in the washing machine, pretreat the stains using a cleaning solution. Use a brush or fingers to rub the stain gently.
Wash it By Hands
Instead of machine washing, you can also hand wash viscose; take a bucket and fill it with water. Add cleaning solution and soak the cloth for 15 to 30 minutes. Wash it with cool water and let it air dry.
Machine Washing
For washing viscose in the machine, turn the cloth inside out and lay it over a meshy washing bag.
Then turn on the normal wash cycle while keeping the spin and temperature low. Use only mild solutions with the required quantity for proper cleaning.
Drying & Storing
After rinsing, place your clothes over a flat surface to maintain the shape. Avoid using the dryer to prevent viscose from shrinking.
Wrinkles can be removed by steam using a steamer or turning on the steam iron settings. In the end, fold your clothes the right way to avoid distortion. You can also hang them. It is highly recommended to avoid using plastic storage bags as they will cause mold growth and discoloration of clothes.
Can You Unshrink Viscose
Sometimes, we accidentally shrink our favorite viscose clothes and start to frustrate about how to unshrink them. Is there any possibility?
Fortunately, you can unshrink viscose in some simple ways, such as:
Unshrink Viscose Using Conditioner
- Take a bucket of water and fill it with lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water.
- Put one to two cups of conditioner or baby shampoo in water and mix it well.
- Soak your clothes in the solution and let them rest for 15 to 30 minutes.
- The hair conditioner will make the fiber soft and stretch it out to release wrinkles.
- Pick out your clothes and hang them to dry.
- Keep stretching your viscose clothes gently till the original size is obtained.
This trick will help you unshrunk all viscose clothes if they are shrunk y mistake or intentionally.
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