Lyocell T-shirts: How to Wash & Care

Lyocell is a semi-synthetic type of rayon fabric. It is made up of wooden pulp and purified cellulose. The cellulose and pulp blend is dissolved in an organic solvent (amine oxide) to form fibers. These lyocell fibers utilize the non-toxic solvents during the manufacturing. They reduce the waste and risk of serious health risks.  Lyocell fabric is soft like silk and highly breathable. It keeps our skin cool and lightweight to wear. Lyocell is blended with other fabrics to enhance their comfort and texture. Lyocell T-shirts require special attention when washed. Poor washing techniques cause fading and fraying issues. Follow the right techniques of washing, drying, and storing the Lyocell T-shirts to increase their lifespan.

How to Wash Lyocell T-shirts?

Here are the tips to wash Lyocell T-shirts:

1. Cold Water Wash: Wash the lyocell T-shirts in cold or lukewarm water at 30 °C. It protects the original colors of Lyocell t-shirts from fading. Cold and lukewarm water temperatures are ideal for all types of fabrics. 
2. Gentle Cycle: Set the machine to gentle spin to reduce the chances of tangling. Hard spins increase the friction and tangling among t-shirts, which leaves wrinkles behind. The manufacturer recommends handwashing the layocell t-shirts for longevity and improved quality. Fill the bucket with lukewarm water and soak clothes for ten minutes to remove the loose dirt.
3. Mild Detergent: Use mild detergents without any fragrance or dyes. These detergents are free from harmful chemicals like sulfates and phosphates. They cause skin irritation, rashes, and respiratory disorders in people of all ages. Prefer the liquid detergents over powder ones. They blend quickly and are easy to remove with running water.
4. Wash Separately: Sort the T-shirts on the basis of color and the level of stain before washing. Wash the heavily soiled and colored t-shirts separately from the white ones to protect color bleeding. 

Can Lyocell T-shirts Shrink in the Wash?

Lyocell T-shirts are unlikely to shrink compared to rayon and linen. These are the three main factors that influence the Lyocell T-shirts' shrinkage:

1. Minimal Shrinkage: Lyocell T-shirts are shrink-resistant due to their soft silk nature. They reshape themselves after a while.
2. Hot Water & Heat: Hot water at 60 °C causes shrinkage in Lyocell T-shirts. This fabric contracts, tightens, and changes its dimensions. People use cold and lukewarm water to shrink the T-shirts. They soak them in a water bucket for almost 15 minutes and then air-dry.
3. Air Drying: Air drying is the method of drying clothes with cold and warm air. This method does not follow the traditional method of drying clothes in the open air. Spread clothes when they are slightly damp on a flat surface to air dry them.

What is the Best Way to Dry and Iron Lyocell T-shirts?

Here are the four best ways to dry and iron Lyocell T-shirts:

1. Air Dry Flat: Drying the lyocell t-shirts in open air fades their colors and leaves wrinkles behind. Make sure to spread clothes on a flat surface to dry them in the open air. Reshape the collar, sleeves, and t-shirt before using tumble. 
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Sunlight weakens the threads of lyocell fabric and increases the risk of pilling and fraying. UV radiation brightens the T-shirts and affects their quality. 
3. Low Heat Ironing: Bring back clothes when they are damp and set the iron to low heat. It protects the threads from weakening and removes wrinkles. Place a pressing cloth between the iron and the lyocell t-shirt to protect its design and prints.
4. Iron Inside Out: Turn the lyocell T-shirts with embroidered design and beads inside out for smooth ironing if pressing cloth is not available. It reduces the risk of smudges all over the t-shirts.

How to Store Lyocell T-shirts?

Here are the three tips to store lyocell t-shirts:

1. Cool, Dry Place: Store the t-shirts in a clean and well-maintained area. Moisture increases the risk of bad odour and mildew growth in clothes. Use cedar block (aromatic wood) and dried flowers in the storage area (drawers) to keep moths away. 
2. Folded Storage: Fold the T-shirts neatly and stack them. Keep the common t-shirts on top to avoid the mess and organize strategically. 
3. Avoid Plastic Bags: Store Lyocell t-shirts in breathable fabric bags. They let air flow through the fabric and maintain the fresh look of the T-shirts. Plastic bags trap moisture and increase the risk of bad odor in T-shirts. 

What Are the Common Care Mistakes with Lyocell T-shirts?

Here are the four common care mistakes with Lyocell t-shirts:

1. Using Bleach: Chlorine bleach damages the lyocell fibers and weakens the threads over time. Make sure to test them on a piece of cloth before using. They cause discoloration in many Lyocell t-shirts. Bleach also increases the risk of skin rashes, lung disease, and hormonal disturbance. 
2. High Heat Drying: High heat drying shrinks the lyocell t-shirts and increases the wrinkles. High heat tumble affects the quality of lyocell t-shirts and decreases their lifespan.
3. Overwashing: Overwashing is the most cmmon mistake with lyocell t-shirts. They are soft and lose their shine over time with high washing frequency. Rotate the lyocell T-shirts with others to save them from frequent washes.
4. Wringing: Avoid wringing clothes to remove excess water when washing them. Push them against the basin or floor to tap off excess water and spread them on a flat surface for drying. Wringing leaves wrinkles behind that do not go off without ironing.

What are the Tips to Keep Lyocell T-shirts Soft and Long-lasting?

Here are the four tips to keep lyocell T-shirts soft and long-lasting:

1. Cold Wash: Wash the lyocell T-shirts with cold to lukewarm water to increase theri lifespan. Ask the manufacturer if the T-shirts are unshrunken or shrunk to avoid confusion.
2. No Tumble Dry: Spread clothes on a flat surface in the open air at a shady place. Avoid drying tumble due to high and consistent heat.
3. Store Folded: Make sure to fold clothes before storing them. It maintains its integrity even after years.
4. Low Heat Ironing: Set the iron temperature to low heat to protect the lyocell fibers.