How does viscose behave when washed – does it shrink or not?

Things made of viscose are quite often found in the wardrobe of women, men and children of all ages. However, owners of viscose clothing may encounter such a nuisance as shrinkage. Because of this, after the first trouble, many people no longer want to buy such products. However, there are many nuances to the question of whether viscose clothes shrink after hand or machine washing.

Manufacturing process

The production of artificial fabrics began at the end of the 19th century.
And it has remained virtually unchanged to this day. The raw materials are crushed, boiled in alkali, bleached and pressed. Next, the resulting substance is transported to factories to form the final product. The thread production process includes four stages:

• Obtaining a spinning solution.
• Pressing the substance through a special plate (spinneret) into an acid bath - this is how threads are formed.
• Next comes the finishing stage.
• The drying stage is the final one.

Methods

Option #1

Let's consider it.

1. Set the washing machine to exactly 60 degrees and wash your clothes.
2. The spin mode should be standard.
3. Let dry at the highest possible temperature. Of course, if your washing machine has such a mode.

Option No. 2

For example, you have a cotton dress and you have lost 1 size. Clothes can be made smaller by alternating high and low temperatures. If the clothes are clean, then the procedure can be carried out without powder.

The instructions include several steps.

1. The dress should be soaked in water close to boiling water.
2. After the water has cooled, you can wring out the item.
3. Pour cold water with ice into a basin and throw the clothes in there.
4. 20 minutes will pass, after which wring out the clothes a little and place them on a large towel (clean).

Do not throw synthetics or silk into boiling water.

Option #3

How to wash an item so that it fits 1 size? Modern irons have a device for releasing steam.

1. Set your iron to maximum. Let it heat up.
2. Iron, for example, a dress using steam.

Automation

To prevent viscose from shrinking after the first wash, you must follow certain rules.

Before performing the procedure, you will need to study the clothing label, since a combination of different fibers is often used, and this may change the conditions for caring for things.

You should not rely on your own opinion. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

How to wash viscose in a washing machine correctly:

1. Delicate material requires setting the appropriate mode. You can wash the fabric using the following programs: delicate or manual.
2. At what temperature? Water temperature - 30 degrees.
3. Dresses, sweaters or other items should not be washed in a washing machine. The fabric may shrink.
4. This material cannot be dried in a machine. May stretch or shrink, again depending on the composition stated on the label.
5. Pour liquid concentrate into the powder compartment.
6. You can use fabric softeners.
7. You can add bleach to the appropriate tray. It should be chlor-alkali-free. For viscose, it is recommended to use oxygen bleach. For example, Vanish.

Before washing, it is better to place the item in a special bag. This will reduce mechanical stress on the fabric. In addition, you can save on water and electricity by placing things in the machine that need to be washed on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees.

After washing the item, put it in the bath, carefully squeeze out excess moisture and lay it on a horizontal surface to dry.

Types of viscose fabrics

The characteristics of the material depend on the added fibers. Varieties of viscose are also associated with this property.

It can be soft to the body, easily draped “soft viscose”, “Turkish”. More dense - “heavy viscose” and “stretch viscose” - with elastane or “dress” - with less stretch.

The type of crepe viscose is interesting - thanks to the special twisting of the threads, the surface of such material is rough and unusual.

Also interesting is the type of modal - it is made from beech and eucalyptus wood. The thread is the same, but two types of weaving allow you to create completely different fabrics:

• One-sided - almost silk surface, ideal smoothness.
• Double-sided - with terry pile, reminiscent of soft velvet to the touch.

Viscose can be heavy, weightless, smooth or textured. The basis of this diversity is natural and synthetic additional components.

What to do if there is heavy soiling on viscose clothing?

What to do if severe stains have formed on viscose clothes? How to deal with them? In this case, you will have to resort to pre-soaking.

To do this, add warm water to a bowl of water and add hand wash detergent, which is optimal for this type of fabric. You will have to soak the dirty item for half an hour.

And only after that, proceed to the main wash: manually or in a washing machine, so that the contaminated item does not shrink.

Caring for clothes made from viscose fabric involves more than just careful washing. Even a properly washed item can be ruined by drying it on a radiator or in direct sunlight. After washing the product in a delicate cycle or by hand, it should be laid out horizontally or wrapped in a roll in a terry towel to absorb moisture. Then the clothes can be hung on plastic or wooden hangers.

It is necessary to exclude any alkaline and bleaching agents; it is advisable to prefer liquid detergent to powder. Dry cleaning allowed. Washing, drying, ironing and even wearing things should be done with caution. This will preserve the appearance of the product and extend its service life. We described in detail the properties of this material in the article “Artificial viscose”.

Read the label on how to properly wash wool clothes. Now do the opposite.

1. For example, soak it in hot water for no more than 30 minutes. This may be 20 degrees more than what is written on the tag.
2. Now rinse your clothes in cold water. You can even do it with ice.
3. Take a large terry towel and wrap your clothes in it. This will remove excess moisture.
4. It is forbidden to twist heavily woolen items.
5. You need to dry it on a flat horizontal surface. It is very convenient to do this with a hairdryer, simultaneously giving the item the desired shape so that it does not stretch during the drying process.

Advice! If you need to make a wool hat a size or two smaller, then find a salad bowl of the required shape (round). Pull the hat over it and dry it with a hairdryer or leave it to dry naturally.

Woolen jackets and other items washed in a machine shrink greatly, but you cannot control the process. If your sweater is plain, you can set the “wool” mode and try it. And then dry as described above.

Whether a wool sweater was initially baggy due to the wrong size, or whether the sleeves and edges have stretched out over time, it can all be corrected. You can make your clothes shrink by performing a few simple manipulations with them:

1. Wash woolen items in hot water at a maximum temperature of 20 °C higher than the recommended temperature. Baby laundry detergent is best used as a laundry detergent. It will help maintain the structure of the fibers. The spin speed should not be more than 500-600 rpm.
2. After washing, the product should be rinsed in water at a temperature of 40 °C mixed with a capful of fabric softener.
3. Then rinse it again in water at a temperature of 50 °C, but without additives.
4. For woolen products, contrast rinsing is also relevant, in which immersion in hot water can be alternated with soaking in ice water.

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Drying and ironing

You need to take good care of viscose so that you don’t have to buy a new dress every time.

Therefore, special attention should be paid to drying and ironing.

Drying:

1. It is carried out in a horizontal position. Place the product on a terry towel. Squeeze out excess moisture. Change the towel to a dry one and leave to dry. Turn your clothes over periodically.
2. Can be hung on hangers. You just need to use a wooden product. Metal hangers can leave rust on your clothes.
3. Fabric wears out faster when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Ironing is done from the wrong side. The correct procedure gives good results. Therefore, it is necessary to iron viscose exclusively through a damp cloth, setting the iron to the minimum temperature.

Steaming has a negative effect on the material. It is not recommended to use this function.

Advantages and disadvantages of viscose fabric

We discussed the qualities of viscose without additional fibers above. However, viscose manufacturers have achieved that fabric made from cellulose fibers can be either matte or shiny. Can stretch and may be completely inelastic. Such indicators are typical for additional additives in raw materials.

• There is no accumulation of static electricity.
• The fabric is hypoallergenic.
• The term thermolabile can be used to combine three qualities - breathability - allows the body to breathe, thermal conductivity - retains heat in winter, cools in summer, hygroscopicity - easily absorbs moisture.
• Very pleasant to the body.
• Retains color and shape for a long time, with proper care.
• Drapes beautifully.
• Easy to dye, does not lose color when washed.

Flaws:

• High creaseability.
• Requires special care.
• Loses its appearance from ultraviolet radiation.
• When wet, the strength index decreases.

The areas of application of viscose are incredibly diverse. From textile fabrics to bactericidal and high-strength modifications. It is used both in the production of textiles and in the production of racing tires.

Considering the application in the textile industry, the variety of weaves, dyeing quality, structure and density of the fabric give an incredible range of applications. From the finest knitted underwear to dresses and suits with exquisite texture. Viscose is also used to make toys, home textiles, and used in shoe production.

What to do if the item stretches after washing

It happens that even following all the recommendations and careful care did not save the item from stretching. However, even in this case one should not despair. There are ways to both stretch viscose after washing and return it to its original shape. To do this you need:

• re-wash the product in cool water;
• gently squeeze;
• place the clothes on a horizontal surface;
• carefully stretch with your hands to the previous size;
• leave to dry.

Cotton products

​If cotton clothing needs to be reduced in size, it should be machine washed in hot water. After adjusting the temperature on the washing machine, you need to set the temperature to more than 40 °C. If shrinkage by one or two sizes is required, the temperature should be set to the highest.

Cotton fabric stretches and contracts during the manufacturing process. When it heats up, the tension in the filament decreases, causing it to shorten. Heating can successfully shrink almost anything. You need to use the longest wash cycle. High temperature along with water and cycling will be very effective.

To significantly shrink the item, you can put it in boiling water and hold it there for 10-20 minutes. The duration of the procedure promotes greater shrinkage. After boiling, the product must be rinsed in cold water.

Practice shows that a cotton T-shirt stretches even faster than a wool sweater. But even in this case, it is possible to adjust the shape of the thing. It is worth considering that when working with cotton, restoration is only possible if the clothing was sewn correctly. If the threads are located and directed incorrectly, then nothing can be done.

Cotton products give maximum shrinkage in the following cases:

1. Machine wash using very hot water and maximum spin.
2. The product can simply be dipped in boiling water. True, even a short stay of a colored product in such hot water can provoke it to shed. But just five minutes of treatment will reduce the item by size, a quarter of an hour in boiling water and the clothes will become 1.5-2 sizes smaller.
3. If you don’t want to risk the color of the item, then it is better to wash it in the traditional way, and then put it in an electric dryer.

We evaluate the result based on the completely dried product. If you can't do anything the first time, you shouldn't even try again. The positive effect most likely will no longer occur, but the item will ultimately be damaged. In this case, you will have to contact a studio or update your wardrobe.

Need to shrink a cotton cardigan? This will work if it is sewn correctly. If the threads do not go as required, then nothing will work.

How to shrink a large cotton dress or suit? Experts recommend setting the machine to the hottest water possible with a strong spin. But you can only wash white clothes this way.

It is better to wash colored clothes by hand. Moreover, you need to remember the rule: when kept in boiling water for 5 minutes, the item decreases by 1 size. Accordingly, if you keep it in boiling water for 15 minutes, it will decrease by about 2-3 sizes.

After hand washing, it is advisable to use an electric dryer. If even after these actions the item has not decreased significantly, repeating the procedures is useless.

Nothing can be done. The clothes will remain the same size, but the structure of the fabric, especially colored ones, can be damaged by hot water.

Automatic washing rules

Modern washing machines are equipped with many modes that allow you to wash even the most delicate fabrics. High-quality viscose can be cleaned in this way. Both washing powder and liquid detergents are suitable for washing. You should first place the item in a special zippered bag designed for caring for delicate materials.

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Table 1. Basic nuances of machine washing viscose.

It is important to know that whether viscose shrinks is directly affected by its quality. Cheap products have a short wear period. In addition, the presence of acrylic or wool in clothing can lead to loss of shape.

Temperature

As a rule, information about the temperature at which to wash viscose is indicated on the label. To preserve the shape of the product, it is not recommended to set it to more than 40 degrees, much less use high-degree modes similar to boiling.

We wash polyester and other synthetics

Unlike viscose, polyester is a synthetic material made from petroleum products. It is electrified and is contraindicated for people with allergic reactions and skin diseases.

How to distinguish viscose from polyester:

• Viscose has a pleasant, delicate sheen; polyester has more of a metallic sheen.
• The viscose material is soft and flowing. Synthetic fabrics are not as comfortable to the touch.
• Polyester is durable and strong, resistant to tearing.
• Cellulose fibers are easy to cut with scissors, without effort, but polyester fibers are much stronger, and cutting such material is more difficult.
• Synthetics melt if set on fire, viscose burns, leaving gray ash.
• Polyester is resistant to bleaching and boiling.
• Synthetic items are easier to care for - the fiber is solid, elastic, has no pores and does not absorb dirt. Therefore, it is much easier to remove stains from synthetics.

It is quite difficult to unequivocally answer the question of what is best for a child. Each parent decides this for himself. Both cotton and viscose have the same qualities of hygroscopicity and breathability.

Both types of materials have a natural fiber base. The only difference can be that viscose is still an artificially created fabric.

Modal is a type of viscose fabric that was previously discussed in this article. It is made from the cellulose of specific tree species, without the use of chlorine in the process. Its properties and characteristics are the same as those of other cellulose-based materials.

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Cellulose is the basis of viscose fiber. The raw material from which the thread is made. Therefore, the main difference is the physical properties. Cellulose is fiber, viscose is a thread consisting of them.

Viscose or kulirka

Some sources claim that the kulirka is 100% knitted cotton fabric. However, this is not quite true. Kulirka is a special weaving that makes the fabric light, stretchable and easily returns to its original shape. In this fabric, loops are intertwined, not threads, as in other fabrics. This weaving is also called "stocking stitch". But any thread can be used for its production, including viscose.

Acrylic or viscose

Acrylic, like polyester, is a synthetically synthesized fiber. Produced from natural gas through complex chemical reactions. It does not absorb moisture and retains heat in severe frost. Unlike viscose, acrylic is ideal for the production of outerwear.

Remember that lycra with acrylic and spandex, polyester are not made smaller. If you need to significantly reduce your shirt, go to a tailor or buy other things. For example, a atelier can make a shorter spandex blouse. Entrust this to specialists, because you can ruin synthetics yourself.

Work with denim is carried out only if it contains cotton. In this case, all responsibility for the result again lies with hot water. We soak the product in a liquid whose temperature should not exceed 60ºC, otherwise the color of the material will begin to wash out. After the water has cooled, wash the items as usual, trying to rub as little as possible.

To reduce the size of a silk product, it is enough to hold it in warm water, the temperature of which will be within the maximum permissible limits. After which the item dries naturally.

Polyester and nylon will shrink noticeably if you simply wash them in cold water. It is better to dry them in a washing machine at high speed. Otherwise, the product will have to be dried directly on the radiator.

Acrylic, spandex and lycra products cannot be reduced by chemical or physical influences. Their size can only be changed by altering the item. But if such materials have already stretched, then it will be very difficult to restore the original shape of the product.

How to remove a stain?

So, we found out whether viscose can shrink when washed and why it cannot be wrung out or dried vertically. Now let's talk about what to do if an unknown stain is found on the fabric.

Rule #6. Viscose material is extremely sensitive to acid stain removers, and therefore, forget about table vinegar, alcohol, and other aggressive agents. Also, the fabric should not be rubbed and bleaches should not be used on colored fabric.

• Apply a mixture of water and salt to the stain; after half an hour, the item can be washed as usual;
• A stain from a white cloth can be removed with hydrogen peroxide;
• You can use children's stain removers.

Rule #7. Clothes made of viscose are ironed only from the wrong side, preferably through gauze, with the iron set to minimum or medium temperature. Depends on the composition - read the recommendations on the label.

Proper fabric care

Viscose is practically never found in 100% fabric, but even in small proportions, it suffers from excess alkali. Therefore, it is important to choose the right detergent for delicate washing. The temperature at which viscose items will not lose their properties and shape is about 30°C.

When cleaning, you should also carefully read the instructions on the label. Since viscose fiber loses its strength when wet, and a mixed composition can give an unexpected result, a special approach must be taken to washing.

Machine washable

The “delicate” mode is used, without spinning. In this case, you should use special laundry bags and try to place fabrics of the same texture in the drum.

Handwash

This is the most gentle way to wash fabric. The product is placed in water with powder for half an hour, and then washed with light massage movements.

First of all, you must follow the instructions for the product. Most often, it contains comprehensive information regarding the temperature at which the thing does not deform.

Most often, a piece of fabric is washed before cutting in order to examine its properties in detail. Does the fabric lose color, texture, or shrinkage? This is an important stage in tailoring. Viscose fiber, in itself, holds color very well and does not lose its shape. Therefore, the determining factor will be the composition of the fabric - washing is required if there are natural fibers.

There are cases when clothes made of viscose with the addition of natural fibers stretch. In this case, you can return the items to their original appearance by increasing the temperature of the water when washing, then gently wring out the water and, laying the item on a towel, give it the desired appearance with your hands. If a product with an additive such as elastane has stretched, increasing the water temperature can only aggravate the problem.

Like any other natural fiber, cellulose has a porous structure. If you want to starch your underwear or shirt, the material allows you to do this. Everything happens in the same way as with natural fabrics - the product is placed in water with starch, dried, and ironed.

Whitening

To maintain the brilliant white color, viscose products can be periodically bleached. For this purpose, products with an oxygen bleaching component are used. Chlorine-containing bleaches will ruin the item.

Drying and ironing

After washing, carefully wring out the product, lay it on a towel, roll it up, and wring it out again. Next, the item needs to be laid out on a flat, horizontal surface, giving it its original shape. Ironing occurs on a damp cloth, from the inside; if the item is dry, then use wet gauze. It is not recommended to steam such things, nor to use a spray bottle - marks may remain. Temperature: “silk”.

Sometimes a product made of viscose wrinkles a lot. This disadvantage can be dealt with in two ways. Starch as described earlier. Or crash (from English crash-destroy). After washing, it is necessary to twist the wet product into a tight rope and leave to dry. Creases and bruises will add charm and a touch of charm.

This means it contains flax or wool. Not all of them can be treated with chemicals - various softening rinses. Unfortunately, some fabrics cannot be “tested” in advance and the defect becomes noticeable only the first time the product is used. In these cases, thin underwear is worn under the clothes or a lining of another material that is pleasant to the skin is sewn on.

Manually

Cleaning clothes made from such material is a responsible task. You cannot make a single mistake, otherwise the result will be disastrous.

If you are not limited by time frames, then it is better to wash viscose items by hand. In order for the procedure to give the desired result, strictly follow the algorithm of actions, do not abuse detergents and bleach.

How to wash viscose by hand:

1. Before carrying out the manipulation, check your pockets for loose change, keys or paper bills.
2. Take a clothes brush and gently remove any dust or visible dirt.
3. Fill a container (bathtub, basin, bucket) with a sufficient amount of water depending on the volume of the item required to be cleaned.
4. Dissolve the liquid product in water. The powder is difficult to rinse out by hand.
5. Soak the product for 30–60 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination. It’s better not to let things get to the point where serious cleaning is necessary. Wear several times and wash immediately. This will make the product last longer.
6. After soaking, washing follows. Carefully remove visible dirt and wipe other areas to remove dust. Do not expose the item to strong mechanical stress. Try to rub the fabric as little as possible. Squeeze the material into a fist and unclench it.
7. After washing, clothes need to be rinsed. Do not expose the item to the running water from the tap, as this will cause the fabric to stretch faster. Pour water into a basin and rinse. Change the water several times. Preferably until the soap stops coming out.

You can’t twist it, and squeezing it out is also not recommended.

To squeeze out the moisture, turn the basin upside down and lean it on the bathtub so that it is slightly inclined (or use a washing board). If there is rust on the basin, it cannot be used.

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Place the item on the product and leave it in this position for a while. The water should drain on its own. After 15 minutes, send the item to dry.

If after the first wash the item shrinks, analyze the entire sequence of actions performed. Perhaps the water was too hot.

Washing jeans

Regular denim items can be reduced by a size by washing them in very hot water. The fabric will fade a little and the water will turn blue or black, but this is not critical. But you won’t be able to shrink a stretch denim item. They even have a “shrink to fit” label on them.

When washing in a washing machine, set the temperature to between 60 and 90°C. The maximum spin is required. Drying can be done by machine, or simply hang things on a very hot radiator.

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When washing by hand, alternate between very hot water and ice water. Then the thing will definitely decrease in size.

Unfortunately, jeans can become not only narrower, but also shorter. This nuance must be taken into account.

Restore size and shape

To return to its original shape, wash the product again, but strictly follow all the rules of the manual procedure.

You can put the clothes on yourself and walk around until the material dries completely. By stretching in this way, you will be able to return to its previous shape.

Stretched tissue can also be restored. It is necessary to re-wash the product again and give it the desired shape while drying.

There are no other ways. The final option will be to give it to someone in a suitable size, or have it altered in a studio.

Viscose carpets

Viscose carpets come in a huge variety of colors, sizes and shapes. They are cheaper than carpets made from natural threads, and their advantages and disadvantages are the same as those of viscose fiber.

Cellulose carpets are non-allergenic, do not accumulate static electricity, are light, soft and pleasant to the touch. The disadvantages of such coverings are the complex process of getting rid of dirt - experts recommend cleaning them in a dry cleaner, where they will select a special gentle cleaning agent for your carpet. In addition, these carpets are resistant to moisture and wet spots.

Even if plain water is spilled on the carpet, the stain will be very noticeable after drying.

As an alternative to viscose, polypropylene carpets are produced. They do not cause allergies, are more resistant to stains, are not afraid of moisture and are easier to clean. Unlike viscose ones, they can be used in the bathroom and hallway. However, they are less resistant to deformation and their service life is significantly shorter than that of cellulose. Dyes in polypropylene are not afraid of ultraviolet radiation.

Both carpet options are acceptable in price, quality and appearance. However, viscose requires more thoughtful care and cleaning.

How to stretch shrunken clothes?

The tendency to shrink makes things made from viscose very demanding to process. Clothing can easily shrink if one of the following conditions is met:

• exposure to high temperatures or contrasting temperatures;
• low quality of the product itself;
• a mixed fabric composition in which viscose is combined with other natural or artificial fibers that are prone to shrinkage;
• drying on a radiator;
• washing with alkaline powders.

If the item does shrink, you can try to stretch it in the following way:

1. 
   Pour water (3-5 liters) into a basin.

2. Pour in 1 tbsp. l. hydrogen peroxide.
3. Stir.
4. Dip the shrunken item.
5. Leave for a quarter of an hour.
6. Take out and squeeze out the product.
7. Put it on yourself.
8. Do not remove until clothes are dry.

You can stretch the item a little by pulling it while it is still wet. Ironing a damp product will also help, slightly stretching the product in the desired direction using steam.