Rayon (viscose) is a semi-synthetic fiber made from processed cellulose. It drapes beautifully and feels soft, but needs gentle care.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fiber | Semi-synthetic (cellulose) |
| Feel | Soft, fluid, drapey |
| Absorbency | High |
| Durability | Weakens when wet |
| Shrinkage | Yes, can be significant |
| Care | Hand wash or dry clean |
| Common uses | Blouses, dresses, linings |
Working with rayon
Rayon loses strength when wet, so handle it gently in the wash. It can shrink noticeably, so test a swatch and consider dry cleaning for structured pieces.
Test before you wash. Wash a scrap first. Rayon can shrink and lose body, so know how your specific fabric behaves before committing a project to the machine.
See the Polyester Fabric Properties and the Fabric Prewashing Guide.