What is Viscose Fabric?

Viscose is a partially synthetic type of rayon fabric. The production of viscose fabric is a complex multistep process that utilizes caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, and carbon disulfide. This fabric is made up of cellulose from things like sugarcane, bamboo, pine trees, and Eucalyptus trees.

The type of fabric your bedding is made of can influence your comfort and quality of sleep. Different materials can keep you warmer or cooler than others. For those with allergies, certain kinds of fabric can aggravate your skin. Overall, your bedding should keep you comfortable and protect your mattress.

This article will examine viscose fabric and compare it to the other types of rayon fabric. Then, we’ll discuss some other common types of fabric. To end, we’ll answer a few of your fabric and bedding-related questions.

Viscose Fabric: What is it?

Viscose bed sheets or comforters contain both natural and artificial compounds. The natural wood pulp, also known as cellulose, is combined with chemical additives to produce soft yarns. Viscose fabric is like cotton in feel but looks more like silk-based material.

How much your viscose fabric cost is dependent on the size of your bed. Twin size viscose sheets can be as cheap as $155 for a complete set of sheets and pillowcases. Larger queen or king size sheets sets sell for about $315.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Sizes and Dimensions 

Benefits

There are many benefits to choosing viscose fabric for your bed. This type of rayon fabric is lightweight and breathable, making for excellent cooling sheets. So, you won’t have to worry about overheating or sweating during the summer months. In addition, the sweat-wicking quality of viscose fabric ensures you stay dry in hot or humid climates.

The synthetic and natural materials used prevent wrinkles and add to viscose’s durability. If you follow upkeep instructions, your viscose bedding won’t fade over time or tear. Other noteworthy benefits include a cheaper cost in comparison to silk fabric.

Drawbacks

You won’t be able to wash or dry viscose fabric like you would traditional cotton bedding. Viscose fibers can be damaged, shrunk, or lose their softness when washed or dried in a standard machine. Shrinkage is common as you wash and use this fabric.

If you happen to stain your viscose sheets, you’ll have a hard time getting the stain out. Viscose fabric holds onto stains and water, which can cause mildew if you’re not careful. Such moisture-retaining fabrics can be a concern even if you have a mold-resistant mattress.

You also don’t want to expose this fabric to direct sunlight, as the sun’s rays can cause serious damage. Viscose bedding can be difficult to find as well.

Viscose Fabric Upkeep Information

As mentioned above, you cannot just pop your viscose sheets into the washer and dryer. Hot water and harsh cleaners can cause severe damage to viscose fabric. Instead, you’ll need to wash this material by hand in a solution of cold water and mild detergent.

To dry, you’ll want to hang the linen up indoors or outside on a clothing line. However, if drying your sheets outside, make sure you do so on a cloudy or overcast day. You don’t want to expose viscose bedding to the sun for too long. Sunlight exposure can ruin the fabric.

SEE ALSO: The Meaning Behind All Laundry Care Symbols

Additional Forms of Rayon Fabric

Lyocell

The lyocell process is environmentally friendly and free of toxic chemicals. This fabric also contains only natural and organic materials. Lyocell is sometimes referred to by its brand name, Tencel. Tencel or lyocell bedding is soft, smooth, and more expensive than viscose fabric. However, this fabric is also highly durable and can be machine washed.

Modal

Modal rayon has a nearly identical manufacturing process to viscose rayon. Like viscose, modal fibers contain a blend of both natural and synthetic materials. However, modal rayon features longer and thinner fibers.

These natural fibers make the fabric more robust and elastic. When compared to rayon fabric, modal fabric has increased breathability and is better for the environment.

Cuprammonium

Cuprammonium rayon is a silk substitute. This type of rayon contains artificial materials and chemicals that make it highly flammable. A cuprammonium fabric is known for being lightweight and sheer. They are present in an athletic garment like spandex. The thin fibers that make up this fabric decrease its durability while at the same time preventing wrinkles.

Other Popular Fabric Types

If viscose fabric doesn’t meet your needs, or you cannot find it, there are many other types of material you can choose. These fabrics offer a slightly different feel and come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Silk

Silk bedding gives sleepers a smooth and soft feeling. However, silk bedding has a much higher price than rayon, cotton, or polyester bedding. The benefits of silk sheets include improved airflow, a shiny appearance, and an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Most silk fabrics need dry cleaning to maintain their sheen.

Cotton

Cotton fabric has a crisp feeling and gets softer over time with each wash. You can purchase natural or 100% organic cotton sheets if you wish. In general, cotton bedding is widely available, inexpensive, breathable, and stain-resistant.

Moreover, you’ll be able to machine wash and dry your cotton sheets without issue. Cotton is a cheaper alternative to viscose synthetic fibers.

SEE ALSO: Cotton vs Microfiber Sheets

Polyester

Polyester fabric is excellent for preventing wrinkles and moisture-wicking. You’ll be able to get a cool and comfortable night’s sleep with a set of high-quality polyester sheets. While polyester sheets are entirely synthetic, they don’t suffer from fabric or filling pilling as viscose fabric does.

Which Fabric is Right for Me?

When choosing which type of sheets and bedding to purchase for your mattress, you need to consider more than just price. While sticking to a budget is essential, you also want to make sure the bedding you purchase protects your mattress and provides you with cozy coverage.

Here are a few factors to look at when it comes to choosing the best bedding set:

• Skin sensitivities: If you have allergies or sensitive skin, you’ll need to be extra cautious when choosing bedding. Not only do you need a mattress for allergies, you do not want to sleep on sheets that irritate your skin or worsen your allergies. Look for hypoallergenic bedding derived from a natural source.

• Upkeep: Some sleepers are okay with fabric that requires extra effort to maintain its appearance and feel. Others are willing to sacrifice durability for a fabric that requires minimal upkeep.

• Durability: More durable sheets often come with a higher price tag. However, they’ll hold up better over many washes and maintain their color over time.

• Climate: Those who live in a warmer climate need breathable and moisture-wicking sheets. Sleepers who experience all four seasons may need to invest in a set of flannel or wool sheets for winter as well as a down comforter.

• Thread count: Thread count is a determinant of fabric or sheet quality. The higher the thread count, to a certain extent, the better-quality bedding you are getting. Higher thread count sheets have a higher cost.

• Weave: When possible, opt for sheets or comforters that are tightly woven. A tighter weave means the fabric should last longer and won’t succumb to wear and tear right away.

FAQs

Does viscose fabric make you smell?

Viscose fabric does not make you smell. While it is semi-artificial, the chemicals used in producing this fabric are not known to release strange smells. The lightweight, breathable design of viscose sheets should minimize sweating and body odor. The moisture-wicking ability of viscose rayon can help prevent overheating or offensive odors too.

Can you iron viscose?

You can iron viscose fabric to prevent or get rid of wrinkles. When ironing, it is best to let the material dry completely and then spritz lightly with water. Viscose rayon should be ironed on the silk setting or 110 ℃. Using too high of a heat setting when ironing can cause damage to the fabric.

Is it possible to unshrink viscose?

There are certain instances where you may be able to undo some of the shrinkages that have occurred in your viscose fabric. However, most of the time, you are better off just replacing the sheets, bedding, or article of clothing.

To minimize shrinkage, hand wash and line dry your viscose fabric. To undo shrinkage, soak the material in a solution of baby shampoo and warm water.

Can viscose be recycled?

Viscose and all types of rayon fabric can be recycled. Synthetic fabric can break down into its natural fibers during recycling. These regenerated cellulose fibers can be reused to produce new blouses or upholstery. They can also be found in the pilling for comforters, pillows, and couch cushions.

How long does it take for viscose to decompose?

Although viscose is partially synthetic, it only takes the fabric about 6 weeks to decompose. This allows for faster and more efficient recycling. In comparison, it takes cotton fabric 11 weeks to decompose. Modal rayon takes nearly 8 months to decompose into its natural elements completely.

Conclusion

Viscose is a type of rayon fabric containing both natural and artificial compounds. Your viscose bedding is made up of wood pulp or cellulose mixed with chemicals. This semi-synthetic combination results in a soft and breathable fabric. Viscose bedding cannot be machine washed or dried.

Other types of rayon fabric include lyocell and modal. When shopping for textiles, you may have difficulty finding viscose sheets. If that is the case, consider investing in cotton, silk, or polyester bedding.