Rayon T-shirts: How to Wash & Care

Rayon is a semi-synthetic material created from cellulose fibers and wood pulp. The wood passes through a spinneret for extrusion. It undergoes chemical reactions to produce a rayon fiber. This rayon fiber is woven and yarned to produce the rayon fabric. Rayon fabric is a breathable and drapable fabric. Unlike nylon, which resists water, rayon absorbs water. Many people often confuse it with silk due to its silky and soft texture. Rayon fabric is susceptible to damage if handled roughly. It needs extra care and attention to be washed. Poor washing technique and the use of detergents increase the fraying and pilling issues. Follow the right washing, drying, and storing tips to increase the lifespan of rayon t-shirts.

How Should You Wash Rayon T-shirts?

Here are the tips to wash the rayon t-shirts:

1. Hand Wash in Cold Water: Use the standard tapwater or lukewarm water at 30 °C to wash the rayon T-shirts. It preserves their original color and protects the rayon from shrinking and wrinkles. Don’t use hot water because rayon is soft and its threads weaken with hot water. 
2. Use Mild Detergent: Prefer detergents without any fragrance or dye. They do not contain any chlorine bleach, skin-damaging chemicals, or lung-irritating toxins. They also do not contain sulfates and phosphates that strip the skin of oil and cause dryness. Use the liquid detergents as they blend with water easily and do not leave any detergent chunks like powder ones. 
3. Do Not Twist or Wring: Do not twist or wring clothes after washing to tap off excess water. It leaves wrinkles and weakens the rayon fabric.
4. Delicate Cycle: Set the machine cycle to gentle when washing. Pre-treat the stains to avoid hard cycles. Hard cycle or high spin increases the tangling, pilling, and friction between rayon t-shirts. Manufacturers recommend handwashing the rayon fabric t-shirts. Use natural detergents to remove the stains and gently rub. 

Can Rayon T-shirts Shrink in the Wash?

Yes, rayon t-shirts shrink and change their dimension in the wash. Here are the three factors that affect the shrinking:

1. Prone to Shrinkage: Rayon fabric is prone to shrinkage due to wood pulp in its composition. Unlike nylon, which is shrink-resistant, rayon shrinks. The fibers of rayon swell when exposed to high-temperature water and change their shape. 
2. Pre-washed Rayon: Ask the manufacturer about the pre-shrunk rayon to avoid the shrinking confusion. Read the care labels and manufacturer instructions to shrink the rayon fabric, as it has not been shrunk before. Use the cold or lukewarm water to restore the original shape of the rayon t-shirts.
3. Air Drying: Air drying means using the cold or fresh air to dry the rayon t-shirts. This method does not utilize the traditional open-air drying method, and people use tumble dryers. Air drying protects the rayon t-shirts from direct sunlight and wrinkles.

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

Here are the best ways to dry and iron rayon t-shirts:

1. Air Dry Flat: Hang clothes on hangers or clothesline to dry them quickly after washing. Find a shady area at home to avoid fading and weakening of rayon fabric threads. The manufacturer recommended drying rayon clothes through flat drying. Spread the damp T-shirts on a flat surface and reshape them in their original position to avoid wrinkles.
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Protect rayon t-shirts from direct sunlight to minimize fading. Sunlight and high heat brighten the T-shirts and affect the quality of the rayon fabric. IT causes irreversible damage to t-shirts, and they look old within a few days.
3. Low Heat Ironing Only: Make sure to set the iron to low heat before ironing rayon t-shirts. Unlike hemp T-shirts that tolerate medium to high temperatures, rayon only withstands low heat.
4. Iron Inside Out While Damp: Bring them back from the hanger and don’t pile them. Make sure to iron them when they are slightly wet. This dampness protects the rayon T-shirt threads from weakening and getting burned. Turn the prints and embroidered side of t-shirts inside to protect the designs from smudging. 

How to Remove Stains from Rayon T-shirts?

Here are the four tips to remeove stains from rayon t-shirts:

1. Treat Stains Immediately: Don’t leave the stains overnight because the longer they stay, the harder it gets to remove them. Use a gentle stain remover like vinegar and lime juice. These removers change the color of the stains and make it easy to remove them when washed with detergents.
2. Mild Stain Remover: Use the mild detergents with no sulfates and phosphates from any trusted brand. Read the labels carefully to protect against skin rashes.
3. Test on a Small Area First: Test the detergent on a piece of cloth to see if it changes the color. It protects the t-shirts from discoloration.
4. Avoid Bleach: Do not use chlorine bleach when treating stains. It contains harmful chemicals and also leaves behind toxic byproducts. Chlorine bleach causes skin irritation, rash, lung infection, and hormonal imbalance in adults and babies.

How to Store Rayon T-shirts Properly?

Here are the four tips to store the rayon T-shirts properly:

1. Fold Instead of Hanging: Unlike nylon, which can be folded or hung, fold the rayon t-shirts. Hanging stretches the rayon fabric and affects the size and quality.
2. Keep in a Cool, Dry Place: Prepare the storage area of t-shirts before placing them. Make sure there is no moisture to reduce the risk of bad odour and mildew growth in rayon t-shirts. Use cedar blocks with dried leaves in the storage drawers and bags to keep moths away.
3. Use Breathable Fabric Bags: Use breathable fabric bags with zippers to store the t-shirts. They permit air to circulate within the fabric and keep the clothes fresh for a longer time. Fold neatly and keep the frequently used ones on top. 
4. Avoid Plastic Bags: Avoid plastic bags as they trap moisture and increase mildew growth.

What Are the Long-Term Care Tips for Rayon T-shirts?

Here are the long-term care tips for rayon T-shirts:

1. Wash Less Frequently: Don’t wash the rayon t-shirts too often. It reduces their strength to withstand heat.
2. Rotate Usage: Rotating usage helps to reduce the washing frequency of t-shirts. Take a gap of a few days before repeating the previous shirt.
3. Follow Care Labels Strictly: Read the care labels and follow them in setting the temperature, using detergents, and using dryers.
4. Handle Gently When Wet: Rayon gets after washing. Handle it with care and flat dry to prevent pilling and fraying.