Viscose Care Guide — How to Wash and Maintain Viscose Clothes
Viscose is the most common fabric in modern Indian designer resort wear — including most of First Resort's kaftan and dress range. It has the silk-like drape, the breathability of cotton, and the price accessibility that lets you build a substantial wardrobe without compromising on feel. But viscose is fragile when wet, prone to shrinkage at heat, and unforgiving of careless laundry. This guide covers exactly how to handle viscose — separately from the broader rayon family — so your favourite kaftan keeps its shape and shine.
Quick answer
Hand wash viscose in cold water with mild detergent or dry clean, never wring or twist, lay flat to dry on a towel, and iron only on low heat from the reverse side. Viscose shrinks dramatically in hot water and stretches when hung wet — both irreversible.
What is viscose?
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fibre made from regenerated wood cellulose — wood pulp dissolved into solution and extruded into smooth fibres. It is the original rayon, invented in the 1880s as a silk substitute. Viscose feels softer than cotton, drapes more fluidly than linen, and breathes better than polyester or nylon. It is also significantly weaker when wet than dry, which is why most viscose-related laundry mistakes happen during washing rather than wear.
How to wash viscose
Hand wash viscose pieces in cold water with a mild liquid detergent. Cold water is critical — viscose shrinks 5-10% on its first hot wash. Submerge gently, swish lightly for one or two minutes, and rinse twice in clean cold water. Press water out between two clean towels. Never wring or twist; the wet fibres tear easily. For embellished viscose — beaded yokes, mirror work, sequins — dry cleaning is safer. Most Indian designer viscose pieces fall into this category.
For viscose labelled "machine washable," the gentle cycle in cold water with a mesh laundry bag works. Skip fabric softener — it coats viscose fibres and reduces breathability over time.
How to dry and iron viscose
Lay viscose flat on a clean dry towel. Hanging wet viscose causes immediate stretching — a viscose dress can gain four inches in length before drying fully. Reshape the piece while damp. Air dry away from direct sunlight (fades colours) and away from direct heat (kills the drape). Tumble drying viscose is the single fastest way to ruin it; high-heat tumbling distorts the weave irrecoverably.
Iron viscose on the low setting (under 110°C) from the reverse side, with the fabric still slightly damp. A handheld steamer is the gentler alternative for kaftans and dresses with embellishments. High heat creates shiny patches and scorch marks that no amount of subsequent care can remove.
How to store viscose
Hang viscose dresses, kaftans, and long pieces on padded hangers in cotton or muslin garment bags. Folded storage works for viscose tops and tunics — layer with acid-free tissue paper to prevent permanent fold lines. Avoid plastic, which traps humidity and creates the musty smell viscose holds onto longer than cotton. Add silica gel packets in monsoon-prone storage areas. Air pieces every two months by hanging in a ventilated room.
Common viscose mistakes to avoid
The five viscose-killing mistakes: hot water washing (5-10% shrinkage), wringing wet (tears the weakened fibres), tumble drying (catastrophic distortion), hanging wet (permanent stretching), and high-heat ironing (shiny patches that cannot be removed). Treated correctly, viscose lasts five to ten years; treated like a polyester gym shirt, it lasts a season.
Browse First Resort viscose pieces — kaftans and dresses with the drape of silk for everyday resort wear, in sizes XS to 8XL.
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Also read: Viscose Crepe Resort Wear Guide · Rayon Care Guide · How to Care for Silk Clothes