The term rayon refers to a group of smooth fibers made from regenerated cellulose. It was first developed in France in 1883 as a cheap alternative to silk. Later in 1924, this silk alternative textile was officially named rayon.
Read the label prior to purchase. Many rayon garments are hand wash or dry-clean only. Check the label to see if your rayon purchase is washer-safe. If it is not, know that you will have to put in extra effort to care for the fabric.
- Some rayon composite fabrics won’t require hand washing or dry-cleaning.
- Handle with great care during laundering due to the fragility of rayon. Rayon can even dissolve during laundering, so it's sensitivity needs to be taken into account
- One of the easiest ways to care for rayon is to have it dry-cleaned. Take your rayon garment into a professional cleaner, and let them know that you are looking for help caring for your rayon garment.
- Dry rayon knits flat. Use a sweater drying cage to drape the rayon over, or lay the rayon over the top of a drying rack.
- Avoid using a dryer or anything that may tumble the clothes, as this may damage or rip the fabric.