Washing viscose scares more people than it should. While it is true that viscose shrinks more easily than cotton and loses its drape if treated incorrectly, it handles machine washing perfectly well as long as you keep the temperature low and keep it out of the tumble dryer.
In this guide, we walk you through the correct temperature to use, why viscose shrinks, how to spin and dry it without the garment becoming like a rag, how to iron it, and what to do if the damage is already done.
Contents
- Why viscose behaves the way it does
- What temperature should you wash at?
- Why does viscose shrink — and by how much?
- Spin drying and air drying
- How to iron viscose
- If the garment has already shrunk
- Quick guide
- Our current favorites
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Why viscose behaves the way it does
Viscose is made from cellulose — wood pulp that has been dissolved and spun into fiber. This makes it a semi-synthetic material: manufactured in a factory, but from natural materials. That is why it feels like silk and breathes like cotton, but behaves like neither when in the wash.
The crucial point is that the viscose fiber swells and loses strength when it gets wet. A wet viscose thread is significantly weaker than a dry one. This is the entire explanation for why the garment shrinks, why it stretches out if you hang it while wet, and why you should never wring it out.
We have our own breakdown of the material in our guide to viscose, and if you want to compare it with other fabrics, we have written about which materials breathe best.
What temperature should you wash at?
30 degrees (86°F), delicate wash. That is the answer for basically all viscose garments. Many care labels say 40, but 30 is enough for regular use and gives you a good margin against shrinking.
Use a mild detergent — preferably one for delicate fabrics. Skip bleach entirely, and go easy on fabric softener: viscose does not become static and rarely needs it.
Turn the garment inside out and place it in a laundry bag if it is thin or has details. Do not overfill the machine — viscose needs room to move, otherwise it will wrinkle heavily and rub against the rest of the laundry.
If the label on a lined garment or blazer says "dry clean only," follow it. That usually concerns the interfacing and lining, not the viscose itself.
Why does viscose shrink — and by how much?
Expect a few percent shrinkage during the first wash if you wash it warm, and significantly more if you combine heat with high-speed spinning or a tumble dryer. A garment can go down a full size in a single improper wash.
The mechanism: the fiber swells in water, the fabric contracts, and heat plus movement locks it in the contracted state as it dries. Keep both down — temperature and mechanical stress — and the shrinkage will be negligible.
We have a separate guide that goes deeper into this specific question: does viscose shrink? The same essentially applies to linen, which we have covered in does linen shrink and in how to wash linen.
Spin drying and air drying
Spin at a low speed — 400 to 600 RPM. High-speed spinning presses wrinkles into wet, weak fabric that are then difficult to remove, and it wears down the fiber.
Never use a tumble dryer. This is the single most common way to ruin a viscose garment: heat and tumbling motion combined are exactly the combination the fiber cannot handle.
Dry flat, not hanging. A wet viscose garment on a hanger will stretch out from its own weight — the shoulders grow, the length increases, and the shape does not return. Instead, lay it flat on a towel, gently pull it into the correct shape, and change the towel once it becomes wet.
Never wring out the garment. Press out the water between two towels instead.
How to iron viscose
Iron on low heat, the setting for synthetics or silk, and iron the garment while slightly damp — either before it has dried completely or after a light water spray. Dry viscose on high heat becomes shiny in a way that cannot be undone.
Iron on the reverse side, or place a thin cotton cloth in between. If you have a steam function, it is your friend here; it is the steam rather than the pressure that releases the wrinkles.
A simpler alternative: hang the garment in the bathroom while you shower. Viscose releases light wrinkles on its own in damp air, and for a blouse, that is often enough.
If the garment has already shrunk
There is a chance, not a guarantee. Soak the garment in lukewarm water with a splash of hair conditioner for about half an hour — the conditioner makes the fiber softer and more pliable. Press out the water in a towel and lay the garment flat.
Then gently stretch it to the correct measurements while it is damp, a little at a time, and let it dry stretched out. You will often get some of the length back. If the garment has both shrunk and become shiny from the iron, however, the shine is permanent.
Quick guide
| Step | Do this | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Wash temperature | 30 degrees, delicate wash | Mild detergent, no bleach |
| The machine | Inside out, preferably a laundry bag, half-full drum | Cramped conditions cause deep wrinkles |
| Spin cycle | 400–600 RPM | High speed presses in wrinkles and wears the fabric |
| Drying | Lying flat on a towel | Never tumble dry, never hang while wet |
| Ironing | Low heat, slightly damp, on the reverse side | Dry garment on high heat becomes shiny |
| Already shrunk | Soak with conditioner, stretch while damp | Often works partially — shine will not go away |
Our current favorites
Three garments in soft, draping fabrics that thrive with the routine above:
- V-neck women's blouse in lightweight fabric – the kind of thin blouse that looks brand new after a 30-degree delicate wash and a little steam.
- Draped midi dress with high neck – the draping relies on the fabric keeping its flow, so dry it flat.
- Maxi dress with draped silhouette – long and heavy when wet, which is exactly why it should never hang on a hanger while damp.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wash viscose in a machine?
Yes. 30 degrees delicate wash with mild detergent and low spin speed works for most viscose garments. Dry cleaning is only needed if the label requires it, usually on lined garments.
Does viscose shrink at 30 degrees?
Marginally, and usually not noticeably. Shrinkage comes primarily from higher temperatures, heavy spinning, and tumble dryers — not from 30 degrees itself.
Can viscose be tumble dried?
No. Heat and tumbling motion together are the fastest way to shrink and ruin a viscose garment. Dry it flat instead.
Why did my viscose blouse get longer after washing?
It was hanging while wet. Wet viscose is weak and stretches out from its own weight on a hanger. Lay the garment flat on a towel while it dries.
How do you iron viscose without it becoming shiny?
Low heat, the garment slightly damp, and iron on the reverse side or through a thin cotton cloth. The shine comes from dry fabric against a too-hot iron.
Can you save a viscose garment that has shrunk?
Often partially. Soak in lukewarm water with hair conditioner, press out in a towel, and gently stretch the garment to the right shape while damp.
Summary
Viscose should be washed at 30 degrees on a delicate cycle with mild detergent, spun at a low speed, and dried lying flat — never in a tumble dryer and never wet on a hanger. Iron while slightly damp on low heat from the reverse side. If you do this, the garment will retain both its dimensions and its drape, and a garment that has already shrunk can often be stretched back with a little hair conditioner and patience.
Are you looking for new garments in soft fabrics? Explore our blouses and shirts.
Looking for something else? See all our 165 guides in a list.
