While shopping for eco-friendly fabrics, you might have come across the Rayon fabric, also known as viscose. While most fabrics fall into two categories - natural fabrics and synthetic fabrics, rayon fabric is semi-synthetic. A common fabric in the world of fast fashion, many consider it to be more eco-friendly when we compare it to fabrics like polyester and nylon.
We know rayon for its comfort, breathability, and versatility. However, with this fabric comes the question of sustainability. Is rayon worth keeping in our sustainable fashion wardrobe?
Rayon fabric, or viscose, is a semi-synthetic fabric extracted from pure cellulose fibers. Manufacturers derive all rayon fabrics from natural materials like wood pulp and cotton. But the manufacturing process requires certain chemicals to treat rayon fibers which differentiate the final product.
Rayon is soft, breathable, and comfortable to wear. Its soft texture is like that of silk and linen. Also, the fabric is moisture-absorbent, making it an ideal fabric for sportswear and humid climates. However, some rayon fabrics require hand washing or dry cleaning and can shrink when machine washed.
There are three common types of rayon used in the textile industry. Each of which has a unique manufacturing process:
Viscose rayon fabric is the most common type of rayon that manufacturers extract from raw materials like wood pulp.