A garment that looks smooth and sumptuous on the rack won’t necessarily retain its shape after a day of wear. When buying new clothing, it pays off to research the fabric’s ability to hold up to humidity, repeated motion, and more. Viscose, a rayon fabric created with semi-synthetic fibre, is one type to pay attention to.
So, is viscose good material for clothes? Viscose is known for its soft, drapey look—but it can wrinkle.
To get the look you want from your viscose clothing, it’s important to know when and where to wear it and how to care for it. Read on for our best tips and tricks to keep your viscose looking silky smooth every day and every wash.
Why does viscose wrinkle?
Let’s take a closer look at the science behind viscose’s many benefits—and its chance of wrinkling.
It's no secret that clothes made with viscose fibers tend to wrinkle and crease. But why does viscose fabric wrinkle? Viscose can wrinkle because it’s woven or knitted from the delicate, pulped fibers of woody plants like:
- Bamboo
- Beech
- Elm
- Eucalyptus
- Soy
- Sugarcane
Other woven and knitted naturally derived fabrics like cotton and silk are also prone to wrinkles, but this shouldn’t discourage you from wearing them. Sustainability-produced and naturally derived fabrics are good for the environment and for your body thanks to moisture-wicking and breathability.
Likewise, you don’t have to stand like a statue to avoid wrinkles when wearing viscose.
Learning a few simple tricks to care for your viscose garments will help you feel smooth and confident.
Avoiding viscose wrinkles
Sitting and bending are both actions that tend to cause wrinkles in viscose fabric. At the same time, you have to move around!
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make your viscose a bit more wrinkle-resistant:
- Choose viscose for wardrobe basics – Loose-fitting viscose pants and tops are most likely to wrinkle. However, form-fitting viscose undergarments, bodysuits, and camis are specifically designed to move with you.
- Buy viscose-blend clothing – While garments that are 100% viscose are most likely to crease easily, buying clothing that blends viscose with another fabric will reduce the likelihood of wrinkles. Take a look at the care tag before purchasing an item. Any blend that contains polyester in addition to viscose will make the garment less likely to wrinkle.
- If packing, roll viscose – Roll, don’t fold. That bit of advice is great for all your clothing, but especially so for your wrinkle-prone pieces like viscose. Even crushing, balling, or folding your viscose for a short time will leave wrinkles, so be sure it is loosely rolled before going into your suitcase.
- Avoid wearing when sitting for extended periods – If you know your day or event is going to be heavy on sitting, avoid viscose. On the other hand, viscose will stay smooth and silky if you're primarily standing or walking.
How to smooth wrinkled viscose
Sometimes it’s frankly impossible to keep the wrinkles out of your viscose clothing. But don’t toss them on account of a few creases! With caution, you can wash and iron viscose fabric yourself. While professionally dry-cleaning your garment will surely return it to its full, smooth glory, you can also follow a few quick, easy steps to return the fabric to its original luxurious texture at home.
Washing viscose
Washing your viscose offers a hard reset to any wrinkles and creases. However, there are certain precautions you should take when throwing in the washing machine and drying this delicate fabric. So, what are the steps to take to learn How To Wash Viscose? Experts agree that the wise method for cleaning and de-wrinkling your viscose is:
- Handwashing –Viscose is highly absorbent, which is great for wicking sweat. Yet this same quality makes viscose fragile during washing, so gently handwashing in cool or barely lukewarm water is essential.
- Using a detergent formulated for delicates – A gentle and biodegradable detergent will not only clean your garment but also keep the environment healthy.
- Rinse cool – Rinse your viscose in cool water, handling it gently. This means no rubbing, scrubbing, or wringing.
- Shake and hang to dry – Don’t squeeze or hand-wring viscose. Lay your garment flat or drape it over the bar of a drying rack, gently smoothing it to avoid wrinkles as it dries. Do not leave your viscose clothing in direct sunlight.
If you're wondering Does Viscose Shrink when washing it, there are precautions to avoiding shrinkage.
Ironing viscose
Sometimes the best fix for wrinkled viscose is ironing. Like washing, however, you must be cautious to prevent damaging the delicate fabric from the heat. Some tips for ironing a viscose garment include:
- Put the iron on the lowest or silk setting
- Place a cotton sheet between the iron and the viscose
- Pass the iron quickly over the fabric, not pressing or pausing in any one area
One good alternative to iron viscose is to steam it, but this requires a special tool and isn’t feasible unless you’ve invested in luxury-quality laundry accessories.
Achieve all-day smooth with Boody Eco Wear
At Boody, we specialize in designing, crafting, and bringing you luxurious, sustainable bamboo viscose garments, from Underwear and sleepwear to Women’s Bamboo Shirts and loungewear.
But caring for them shouldn't be a chore. We recommend washing your Boody garments with similar colours, using gentle biodegradable detergent and a warm wash setting. Then, air-dry them in the shade or tumble dry on the lowest or most delicate setting to prevent heat damage.
With proper care, your Boody Eco Wear will leave you feeling comfortable and chic all day long. Shop more Sustainable Clothing with Boody.
Sources:
Fabrics By The Yard. What is Viscose Fabric? Https://Www.Fabricsyard.Com/Print-By-The-Yard-Blog/What-Is-Viscose-Fabric-Everything-You-Need-To-Know/
Martha Stewart. How to Steam Delicate Garments. Https://Www.Marthastewart.Com/1531045/How-To-Steam-Delicate-Garments
Author: Daisy Hemmen
