Rayon is a highly preferred fabric for the home prized especially to its shade and luster, which can be quite natural or decorated to replicate other fabrics like silk. The softness of the fabric largely adds to its acceptance. However, perfection cannot be promised in any case, and with all the other goodies come many troubles.
Rayon was invented in France in the 1880s to imitate silk, for silk was then quite expensive, and a worldwide shortage had already bid up its price. Now rayon can imitate anything else: cotton, linen, and wool, for instance. It can be blended with some of those other fibers too: cotton-rayon, polyester-rayon, and cotton-rayon-linen blends. Rayon can even be used to give a real touch to some of those twentieth-century synthetics. Rayon-crepe actually uses these modern techniques to fashion certain fabrics that otherwise would be made with natural fibers.
Rayon fabric boasts several wonderful qualities, making it such a sought-after fabric among designers, end-users, and textile manufacturers alike. Being a semi-synthetic fiber, rayon boasts the best features of both worlds- softness and comfort of the natural fiber, and versatility of the synthetic. This article shares some of its wonderful properties:
• Soft and silky touch: Rayon has a smooth texture and feels soft on the skin making it very similar to silk.
• Drape and flow: Rayon has a flowy look which makes it great for manufacturing summer clothes like dresses, skirts, and blouses.
• Shine: A lustrous appearance gives rayon much visual appeal, making it a material of choice for elegant attire.
• Absorbency: Rayon is an absorbent fabric that absorbs almost twice as much moisture as cotton. This feature allows it to act as great summer wear, absorbing the sweat while keeping the skin dry.
• Low cost: It ight seem similar to silk but does not cost as much which is the best for both worlds. For budget-friendly shopping this fabric is the right choice. This feature renders rayon a good choice for the budget shoppers.
• Versatility: Rayon can mimic the look of many specialized fabrics such as cotton, wool, or linen, which makes it adaptable to use for various purposes.
• Deep color absorption: Rayon can be dyed effortlessly as it is a highly absorbent fabric. The easy dyeing means that color options and shades are virtually limitless.
Low tensile strength: Rayon isn't a particularly durable cloth, and its strands get torn pretty easily compared to other fabrics like cotton, polyester, and natural silk.
• Wrinkles easily: Rayon wrinkles if not folded adequately or ironed frequently
• Prone to shrinking: Rayon may shrink if not cared for properly.
• Fades easily: While rayon absorbs dye really well which means the color is uniform but the downside is that the color fades overtime.
• May cause allergies: Clothes made from rayon can cause an allergic skin reaction, which causes itchy skin. People with sensitive skin are particularly prone to this.
• Environmental impact: Rayon production involves extensive use of chemicals, and these chemicals can harm the environment if they're disposed of carelessly
• Manufacture is non-eco-friendly: Production of rayon involves using chemicals that are harmful to environment and for factory workers this is bad news as continuous exposure to these chemicals can also become a hazard for workers. Moreover, the production process of the rayon gives off poisonous fumes like sulfur, nitrous oxides and hydrogen sulfides. The process is also resource intensive and uses lot of water and energy.
Rayon garments are often safest when hand-washed. In the case of machine washing, if it is only a gentle cycle, the garment should be placed in a mesh laundry bag to help minimize wear and tear. But above everything else, refer to the instructions on the care tag because some rayon garments may say "dry clean only."
High temperatures can damage the fiber and shrink it, so cool washing in cold water is the best choice for rayon clothes since it minimizes shrinkage, loss of color, and helps extend the life of your garment.
Strong detergent or bleach, as well as fabric softeners, damage rayon fibers. Therefore, choose mild detergent, especially suitable for delicate fabrics.
Soak rayon garments for as little time as possible, as a long soaking in water softens or weakens the rayon fibers.
To help in preventing the dye from bleeding onto another garment or fabric, wash rayon clothing separately.
Rayon is prone to wrinkles when washed, thus ironing becomes imperative. If you must iron your rayon clothes, opt for a steamer or iron on a low heat setting while damp. In addition, iron your clothes inside out to protect the fabric from any potential shine or damage.
Fold the rayon garments and store them away from heat and humidity. Do not use metal hangers, for they leave rust marks, while clips or pins made of plastic or wood will leave unsightly traces.
Do not use an iron that is set on high as this would burn rayon instantly or damage the surface. The correct way to iron is to keep the heat setting on the lowest and iron the fabric when it is slightly damp.
Rayon is a drapey and soft semi-synthetic material that incorporates properties of natural and artificial fibres. It is soft and breathable and good for draping, so it is used in some day clothing and also fashion apparel. It's comfortable and affordable, but rayon must be handled with care and isn't great for the environment.
Understanding what rayon is and how it works can help companies better design and produce rayon garments, as well as help consumers make more informed choices when selecting rayon—as long as all parts of the supply chain take the time to understand the fiber. Rayon, which was first manufactured from wood pulp, is available in many incarnations. It is also both fascinating and practical.
If you want a fabric that feels like silk, breathes like cotton, looks good on most styles, and then rayon is your choice.
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