Unless thecare tagstates it’s okay to machine wash, assume it needs to bewashed by hand.
Use agentle detergent, do not use chlorine bleach, and avoid putting rayon in the dryer.
Read on and learn how to wash rayon clothing without harming its delicate fibers.
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What Is Rayon?
Rayon is tight-knit and feels incredibly smooth and soft against the skin.
It has an excellent drape and can be easily dyed for brilliant color.
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Depending on the plant fibers and chemicals used, rayon can be labeled asviscose, lyocell, ormodalrayon.
Wash it in cold water with a low spin cycle on the delicate cycle.
Rayon can shrink and become misshapen if you use hot water.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
However, do your best to avoid using the washing machine for rayon.
Gently Remove Excess Water
Rayon is a lightweight fabric prized for its breathability and moisture absorbency.
Warning
Never put rayon clothing in a machine dryer, as the heat can destroy the fabric.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Though hand-washing is gentle enough to prevent damage, never twist or wring wet rayon as you wash it.
Use polyester thread and a sharp needle when mending tears.
Some rayon blends may snag.
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Repairing shrunken rayon is almost the same process as unshrinking wool.
Here’show to unshrink rayon clothing:
Ironing
Many rayon fabrics wrinkle excessively when washed.
If possible, steam out wrinkles rather than pressing the fabric directly with an iron.
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If using an iron, do it when the fabric is slightly damp.
Ironing could cause shiny spots on the rayon if the iron directly touches it.
Ironing at a high temperature can scorch or burn cellulosic fibers, causing yellowing.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Lightscorch marks can often be removed, but burned rayon fibers cannot be revived.
To protect against scorching, use a medium-hot iron and always iron the fabric inside out.
Use a pressing cloth between the iron and rayon fabric for extra protection.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
However, don’t use metal hangers for your rayon clothes because the garments can quickly develop rust spots.
Additional Tips for Washing Rayon
Washing and caring for rayon can be tricky.
Here are some essential tips:
Use a mild detergent that will be gentle on the fibers.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Never use chlorine bleach, fabric softener, or harsh cleaners.
Nylonandpolyesterfabrics use entirely synthetic fibers based largely on polymers of petroleum derivatives.
Rayon may shrink at various rates whenever it’s washed in a machine, even in cold water.
It will significantly shrink if you put it in the dryer.
To avoid shrinkage, follow the cleaning instructions on the garment’s label.
Rayon isn’t known for its elastic recovery.
However, stretch it back out by softening and relaxing the fabric.
Continue stretching the garment as it air-dries.
The less comfortable route is to soak the item in water and wear it back into shape.
Rayon andcottonare made from natural plant fibers with different properties, giving each fabric advantages in certain circumstances.
Cotton’s insulating properties are better, making it a good choice for clothing in cold weather.
In contrast, rayon has good moisture-absorbing properties, making it a better choice for summer clothing.
