Rayon is a type of fabric that has become popular in recent years due to its lightweight and breathable material.
It is often used for clothing curtains and even upholstery.
But does rayon shrink in the dryer?
The answer to this question is complicated.
Rayon is a man-made material that is made from processed wood pulp primarily from bamboo or beech trees.
It is known for its smooth texture and draping qualities which make it great for light garments.
However because of its synthetic nature rayon is sensitive to heat and can shrink when exposed to high temperature.
It’s important to read the care instructions on the garment’s label before you put it in the dryer.
Most rayon clothes will require either cold water washing or a low-heat setting in the dryer.
Does Rayon Shrink in the Dryer?
The short answer is yes but it depends on the type of rayon fabric and the care instructions.
Generally speaking rayon fabric can shrink up to five percent in the dryer so it is important to read the care instructions and follow them closely.
The care instructions may also recommend a lower dryer setting or even air drying.
If a lower dryer setting is used the fabric may not shrink as much.
Air drying is a great way to ensure your rayon fabric does not shrink.
Avoiding Rayon Shrinkage
One of the easiest ways to avoid shrinkage is to use cold water when laundering rayon fabric.
Hot water can cause some fabrics to shrink more than five percent.
Additionally use a gentle cycle on the washing machine as this will reduce the amount of agitation and friction on the fabric which can cause it to shrink.
It is also important to use the correct type of detergent when laundering rayon fabric.
Some detergents can cause fabric to shrink so be sure to use a detergent specifically designed for delicate fabrics.
What Can You Do to Prevent Rayon Shrinking?
If you want to prevent rayon from shrinking in the dryer it’s important to follow the care instructions on the garment’s label.
Most rayon clothes will require either cold water washing or a low-heat setting in the dryer.
It’s also important to make sure the clothes you are drying are not overly saturated with water.
The more water the fabric contains the more likely it is to shrink in the dryer.
If you can it’s best to hang dry the clothes instead of using a dryer.
Another way to prevent rayon from shrinking in the dryer is to use a fabric softener which helps reduce the fabric’s tendency to shrink.
Fabric softeners contain special ingredients that help to safeguard the fabric fibers making them less prone to shrinkage.
What to Do When Rayon Does Shrink?
If your rayon clothing does shrink in the dryer it is possible to restore it to its original size.
The best way to do this is to fill a bathtub with cool or lukewarm water and add a few drops of baby shampoo or fabric softener.
Then submerge the affected clothing in the solution and let it soak for about 15 minutes.
After soaking take the garment out of the water and lay it on a flat surface.
Use your hands to gently stretch the fabric back to its original size.
Finally hang the garment to dry and it should be good as new.
Conclusion
In conclusion rayon fabric is sensitive to heat and can shrink when exposed to high temperatures.
To prevent this from happening it’s important to read the care instructions on the garment’s label and choose the appropriate washing and drying settings.
If your rayon clothing does shrink in the dryer it is possible to restore it to its original size.