In 1884, Hilaire de Chardonnet tried to imitate silk, replacing silkworms with vegetable cellulose made from wood pulp. This chemical process transformed the natural fibers and gave birth to viscose. The term viscose comes from the contraction of the terms viscous with cellulose. Viscose is an artificial chemical material, obtained from regenerated cellulose of wood. In other words, it is a textile created from plant materials; its manufacturing process is artificial. Today, viscose is widespread in the textile industry, it is a must-have that has integrated perfectly into the clothing sector. It is available in all collections and all types of clothing: t-shirts, pants, skirts or even dresses...
How to wash viscose in the washing machine, by hand?
Does viscose shrink in the wash?
In general, heat is the element responsible for the phenomenon of shrinkage of clothes. Better to wash in cold water to avoid shrinkage of linen. Indeed, if clothes tend to shrink in the washing machine, it is because they are usually washed hot. In the washing machine, hot water loosens the fibers that make up the fabric of the garment. When spinning, the water will evaporate and the fibers will tighten. The shrinkage of clothes, especially concerns natural fibers such as cotton, wool or linen. Viscose also tends to shrink, this material only supports low temperatures. This is why, in order not to take any risks, it is preferable that you opt for a lower temperature when washing your viscose garments with complete peace of mind. The ideal for washing viscose is a max wash of 30 degrees or a hand wash.
Another piece of advice, it is strongly advised not to dry your viscose clothes in the dryer. For what ? the structure of viscose makes it easily creaseable. This is why clothes made of this material are not suitable for the dryer and it is preferable to opt for drying your viscose garment in the open air.
Does viscose expand?
As you will have understood, unfortunately viscose tends to move a lot during washing. This tissue can shrink, but also relax and lengthen. Viscose is considered a fragile material, which implies that you must be careful during the various maintenance steps, including ironing. Set your iron to medium low heat. We advise you to consult all the information concerning the care of your garment on the composition label inside it. Never put your viscose garment on a radiator, the high heat emanating from it represents a risk. So that the viscose becomes smooth, pleasant and comfortable again after washing. Start ironing before the fabric is completely dry. A steam iron is also well suited for this type of material.
Has your viscose garment shrunk in the wash?
How to recover a viscose garment that has shrunk? Depending on the material of the garment, several options are available to you. You can immerse it in lukewarm water combined with baby shampoo, fabric softener, conditioner, white vinegar or even glycerin. These different products have the particularity of relaxing the fibers of a fabric. This will allow you to return your dress to its original size. The best thing is still to read the labels carefully and thus avoid unpleasant surprises once out of the washing machine.
How to straighten a viscose dress?
Another alternative that can help you concerns the fabric smoothing and the elimination of the various folds which oppose you. To do this, ironing can be effective, the heat allows the fabric to stretch and return to its original shape. It will allow you to restore its shape to your garment. The steam helps to relax the fabric and therefore to enlarge it. At the time of drying, your garment must be well stretched, flat this will facilitate ironing and you will have an outfit that keeps its shape.
Viscose and the machine
What is the difference between viscose and polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fiber created from petroleum. Widely used in the world of clothing, manufacturers do not hesitate to combine it with other natural raw materials (such as cotton or wool). This material continues to be exploited, given that it makes it possible to produce garments at a lower cost without the quality being damaged. It is appreciated for its resistance and its elasticity, it is a material often used in the composition of swimsuits, sportswear. It is also easy to maintain in the wash. However, its composition leads to the release of particles responsible for ocean pollution.
Viscose feels soft and silky to the touch while polyester feels noticeably harder and drier. As a result, this material is more comfortable and healthier for the well being of the individual. Light, viscose is a weave that is not very suitable for the cold, it is not very insulating and does not keep you very warm. It also tends to produce static electricity. Viscose is more of a summer fabric, so it's perfect for making pretty light dresses, shirts, little tops...
If these two textiles are ecologically debatable, they remain the most used with cotton; Solutions are turning to recycled polyester and viscose to mitigate the polluting impact on the planet.
Which program to wash viscose?
Viscose is an extremely absorbent and inelastic fiber, which therefore makes it a very fragile material when wet. Hand washing is therefore ideal and preferably in cold or lukewarm water at a maximum of 30° according to the indications given on the labels. Some viscose cannot be machine washed. If your garment is stained, you can still rub it gently for a few minutes with detergent. The use of the washing machine remains an option if authorized on the composition label. In this case, your viscose garment must be washed on a "delicate cycle" or "hand wash" programme. You can also wash it with other pieces, don't hesitate to put your viscose clothes in a laundry net to prevent the drum of the machine from damaging it.
AND don't forget: to iron viscose, you must choose a low temperature and proceed on the back of your garments. Try ironing the viscose when it's still a bit damp or use a damp cloth to help.
What is the maintenance code?
The textile care code is represented by a set of symbols (drawings, letters, numbers, etc.) which define the care conditions for your garment. These symbols are common and used by all countries. What is the point of this code? It includes maintenance or washing instructions specific to each item of clothing depending on its material… All items of clothing are labeled with five symbols. If one of them is crossed out, it means that you should avoid using this treatment. Take the right steps to avoid damage and other damage. The best way to keep the right size, a nice color... of your clothes is above all, to pay attention to the washing. The first cause of clothes shrinking is due to washing with water at too high a temperature. The fibers loosen, then tighten when wringing, causing the fabric to shrink. If in doubt, it is better to wash the clothes in cold water to avoid unpleasant surprises. It is important that you read the label which will tell you: the temperature to use, the type of spin cycle to select... always read it before each first wash to find out the different manufacturers' recommendations.
Our dressing room is full of various and varied pieces, timeless or trendy that deserve our attention, to keep them for a long time. Who hasn't tried to recover a white t-shirt after forcing a washing error on the steps? This code allows you to know everything about your household linen for perfect cleaning and maintenance to last.
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