What Is Viscose? The Ultimate Fabric Guide

While some have more stigma than others, some are widely used and loved worldwide.

However, selecting a material that appeals to you and meets your demands is easier if you have a greater understanding of them. One of the most often used materials in the textile industry is viscose fabric. It is as delicate as silk but considerably less expensive, simpler, and especially kind on the skin.

Since the late 1800s, viscose fabric has been a mainstay in many closets and houses.

What is viscose fabric?

Viscose is a fabric made chemically from the natural material cellulose. It is one kind of rayon. It was first referred to as artificial silk in the 19th century, and the name "rayon" was first used in 1924.

The word "viscose" comes from the viscous organic liquid used to generate rayon and cellophane, which is how this fiber is produced. It sits midway between being a manufactured cellulose fiber. It is neither genuinely natural (like cotton, silk, or wool) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester).

Hence, viscose fabric is promoted in the fashion industry as a more affordable and long-lasting substitute for cotton or polyester as well as silk.

Some trees and plants used to manufacture viscose are:

• Pine
• Beech
• Hemlock
• Spruce
• Bamboo
• Eucalyptus
• Sugarcane
• Soy

How is viscose material made?

Several chemicals are used in viscose production, including sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. So, even if viscose is created from trees, it is semi-synthetic.

Five steps make up the production process for viscose:

1. To create a brown wood pulp solution, the plant is chopped into wood pulp and mixed with chemicals like sodium hydroxide.
2. This dark wood pulp is washed, cleansed, and bleached.
3. To produce the fibers, the pulp is first treated with carbon disulfide before dissolving in sodium hydroxide to create the viscose solution.
4. Then, the viscose solution is pushed through a spinneret, a device that produces regenerated cellulose fibers.
5. These regenerated cellulose fibers are spun into yarn and used to weave or knit fabrics made of viscose fabric.

What are the characteristics of viscose fabric?

Like every material, viscose has unique characteristics and offers several beneficial qualities:

• Breathable: Viscose is incredibly breathable, unlike completely synthetic materials, making it ideal apparel for warm weather.
• Softness: Viscose fabric resembles real silk and feels as soft as cotton.
• Absorbent: Viscose does not trap heat. So, it is a great option for sportswear since it efficiently absorbs water, perspiration, and body oils.
• Lightweight: it is as light as cotton.
• Excellent color retention: It can effectively retain dye and does not fade for a long time, just like chiffon fabric.
• Moisture wicking: Viscose rayon is the least moisture-wicking of all semi-synthetic textiles. However, it is still an excellent option for hot climates with low humidity.

Is viscose fabric sustainable?

Viscose is created from cellulose, a sustainable basic material. It is present in several types of wood and, even after the manufacturing process, is still biodegradable. This indicates that viscose outperforms entirely synthetic materials in terms of environmental performance and is a relatively sustainable fabric.

However, the viscose production process consumes a lot of energy. Plus, to get the cellulose, significant chemical conversion steps are also required.

What to consider when purchasing viscose fabric?

When purchasing viscose, there are several things to take into account, including the initial raw material, production, and processing. For example,

• The cellulose used in the viscose type ‘Modal’ comes mostly from environmentally friendly forestry practices.
• The names' Lyocell' or 'Tencel’ denote a more eco-friendly eucalyptus production. Plus, it does not discharge any wastewater that contains hazardous materials into the environment.
• ‘Lenpur’ viscose is also made without chemical additions.

Tips to care for viscose fabric

• When the cloth is wet, much of its strength and structure is lost. Because of this, cleaning it in the washer might completely ruin your clothing item.
• It's not advised to twist and tug the fabric, so unless you know how to wash it correctly, you might be better off having it dry-cleaned.
• You should use cold or lukewarm water and a light detergent because the cloth shrinks while washing. When the garment has been thoroughly cleaned, push on it rather than twisting it to remove the extra water.
• Dry stains will be harder to remove since viscose absorbs colors speedily. So, try to remove stains as soon as they appear and avoid pulling too hard on the cloth because this can damage the yarn.
• Do not wring after washing, as this could break the fabric.
• To ensure that they do not shrink, always hang dry them. It doesn't take long for the viscose to dry. Moreover, viscose garments can be dried in the sun, but only briefly.
• To prevent shrinking, put your dried clothes in a cool location.
• Put a pressing cloth between the viscose material and the iron, and use the silk setting to iron it.

What are the uses of viscose fabric?

Due to its various advantages, viscose is a practical choice for many useful applications. It is frequently used in the production of various things like:

• Clothing
• Window treatments
• Cooling sheets
• Mattress protectors
• Cellophane

Conclusion

Viscose fabric is unquestionably a wise choice if you seek a sturdy, reasonably priced textile with vibrant colors. It is durable, has a good drape, and is pleasant to the touch.

However, to ensure that your viscose clothing items survive for a long time, you need to take proper care of them.