Viscose is a non-static fabric fiber that is easy to dye and made from wood cellulose. Viscose is sometimes referred to as faux silk and is referred to by people as rayon. The high moisture absorption of viscose (13%, as opposed to cotton's only 8%) and the depth of its dark color make it able to be dyed in both deep and light colors, but at the same time very susceptible to washing. Check out the first step below to start learning how!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Washing Viscose (Rayon) Clothes
Step 1. Always look for signs of fabric care
Generally, rayon garments are a little fragile but can still be machine washed with care. However, some rayon garments cannot be washed at all. To prevent your clothes from tearing, discolouring, or damaging, always follow the care instructions.
While this section contains instructions for machine and hand washing, these instructions should be considered general instructions that are not as difficult and as fast as the detailed rules. In other words, always prioritize your clothing's unique care instructions over the guides we provide here
Step 2. Wash in cold water by hand
If your rayon clothing care instructions emphasize that the garment is washable, it is always better to wash it by hand rather than machine. Rayon clothing is very fragile when wet, so your hands are better able to keep it from getting damaged than if you were using a machine. Place your rayon garments in cold or regulated water and add washing detergent. Work slowly and gently massage the soap into the garment without pressing it violently.
Never wring, brush, or wring rayon clothing to remove water as doing so can tear the fine fibers of the fabric. However, gently shake it until all the remaining liquid comes out
Step 3. Machine wash
If you're sure your rayon clothes won't be damaged in the washing machine, make sure you're only putting in a bunch of the same rayon clothes. Rougher clothing, such as denim jeans, can catch the rayon as the washing machine spins, causing the jeans to tug and tear.
Use cold water and gentle washing rules just in case
Step 4. Alternatively, use a wash net bag to protect your clothes
Another way to keep your rayon clothes in the washing machine is to place all of your rayon clothes in a single clump into a washing net bag. This ensures that the clothes do not mix with other clothes in the machine, thus avoiding the risk of tearing your clothes.
Step 5. Dry
When your rayon garment is finished washing, remove each garment individually and shake it gently to remove the liquid. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Then, hang it on a wire (not a drying iron) to prevent rust.
Alternatively, you can use a drying rack or dry on a clean, flat surface
Step 6. Avoid using electric dryers
In addition to the problems created by washing machines, electric dryers are also known to shrink rayon clothes and drastically shorten the life of clothes. If you can avoid using an electric dryer for your clothes, do so. Otherwise, use the lowest temperature rule and dry only one at a time.
Step 7. Scrub the rayon garment from the inside
Never use a hot iron on the outside of the rayon – this can burn and melt the fibers in the fabric, creating an unattractive shine that cannot be removed. Always turn rayon clothes upside down before using the iron. Just to be extra careful, you can also scrub the clothes while they're still slightly damp.
If you must scrub the rayon from the outside, place the cloth between the hot surface of the iron and the garment to protect it
Method 2 of 2: Washing the Viscose (Rayon) Tapestry
Step 1. Dry clean the rug if it is very important to you
Viscose has a brittle fabric fiber and is very easy to fade. Because of this, it's very easy to damage the viscose rug or wear it off when you try to clean it. If your viscose rug has sentimental value, have it professionally washed instead of risking damage or fading.
Step 2. Shake your rug outdoors
The goal of cleaning a viscose rug is to keep it as clean as possible while keeping it dry. However, before using any liquid detergent, it's a good idea to try cleaning your rug in a method that won't get your rug wet. Take your rug out and shake it vigorously to remove any dirt or dust. You can also try hitting your rug against railings or posts for extra power.
Step 3. Clean your rug with a vacuum cleaner
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove thick dirt or deposits. Run the vacuum cleaner head all over the rug a few times, especially on particularly dirty spots.
If you can, use a head that doesn't have a mechanical brush. Viscose is very fragile and a rough movement of a mechanical brush can tear it apart easily
Step 4. Make sure the rug doesn't move while you clean it
If your rug is still dirty, you may need to wash it carefully. Place the rug on a mounting board or table that is ready to be soiled. Washing a viscose rug requires several scrubbing, so don't let the rug move across the floor while you're scrubbing it. Also make sure the color doesn't smear on the floor or other carpets near you.
Step 5. Use a soft brush to brush gently with soap and water
Heat the water to lukewarm and mix in a few drops of soap or carpet detergent to make a liquid cleaner. Use a soft brush to brush the liquid over the dirty areas of the rug. Avoid hard brushes or mechanical brushes, as these brushes can easily tear the fibers of the viscose fabric. Be conservative – the less liquid you use, the lower the risk of staining the fabric.
Test your cleaner on an inconspicuous area of the rug before you use it. By doing this, you will immediately know if the liquid is causing smudging or other problems before proceeding
Step 6. Wash with vinegar to minimize yellowing
Cellulose fibers (including viscose) will turn yellow when wet. To help with this yellowing, lightly rinse the wet area of the rug with a mixture of water and vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar helps prevent yellowing as it dries, although it doesn't completely remove it.
Step 7. Use the vacuum cleaner again
To remove as much liquid as possible from your rug, use the vacuum cleaner a second time after you have finished using your cleaning liquid. Use a vacuum cleaner especially for wet areas.
As stated above, you should avoid using a vacuum cleaner head that has a mechanical brush to prevent damage to your rug
Step 8. Alternatively, spray the rug with an easy-to-dry fabric softener
Viscose fabrics can harden when dry, leaving marks on your rug. To help prevent this, you can carefully spray the fabric softener and water mixture with a spray bottle. This will prevent the fibers from hardening and shrinking and will get rid of any bad lumps.
You may still have to break up the lumps after the rug dries. Do it slowly by hand
Step 9. Dry the outer side down
Allow your rug to dry to reduce the yellowing effect that can occur when the viscose dries. Place the viscose rug in a clean, dry place or hang it horizontally while it dries. However, it should be noted that this can cause the back side of the rug to turn yellow more than usual.
Step 10. Do not place the rug on or near another rug until it is completely dry
As has been said above, vixose is very well known to fade easily when wet. So, you should keep your rug away from brightly colored fabrics (especially if your rug is expensive) while you dry it. Discolored stains can be very difficult to remove from carpet and they are non-refundable.
