A viscose dress that stays smooth after washing
Short answer: A viscose dress stays smooth if you wash it at a low temperature, avoid hard drying and hang it up while damp. Always follow the care label. Ironing on low heat can smooth it if creases appear anyway.
Why viscose creases
Viscose is soft and drapes well, but the fibres crease easily when they are wet and warm. Hard washing and the tumble dryer make creases deeper. That is why smoothness after washing depends on how you treat the dress, both in the machine and afterwards.
Start with the care label
The label shows temperature, programme and drying for your exact dress. Follow it, and do not wash the dress with heavy laundry. Viscose from bamboo is more delicate when wet, so gentleness matters more than washing power. See our bamboo dresses.
Low temperature and a gentle programme
Choose a low temperature, often thirty degrees, and a gentle programme with a low spin. A hard spin presses creases into the fabric. Use a mild detergent in a small amount, and avoid an overfilled machine that makes the laundry tangle.
Use a net or turn the dress inside out
Put the dress in a laundry net or turn it inside out, so the fabric is protected from rubbing. Close zips and hooks so they do not catch. That reduces both creases and wear, and keeps the dress looking good for longer.
Take it out straight away
Do not leave the dress in the machine when the wash has finished, because the creases will set. Take it out straight away, shake it lightly and smooth the fabric with your hands. Then it falls better as it dries.
Drying without creases
Hang the dress on a hanger while it is still damp, and let gravity smooth the fabric. Avoid the tumble dryer and direct heat, which can make viscose shrink and crease. A wide hanger prevents marks on the shoulders.
If creases remain anyway
Ironing on low heat can smooth viscose if the label allows it. Put a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric if you like, or steam the dress gently. Hang it in a steamy bathroom, and most creases fall out by themselves.
Care for the whole wardrobe
If you want to look after your clothes, follow the same rules for the rest of the wardrobe. See the sale for women for soft clothing at good prices, and combine with a women's long-sleeved bamboo T-shirt as a layer under the dress.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop a viscose dress from creasing in the wash?
Wash at a low temperature, use a gentle programme and a net, and take the dress out straight away. Hang it up while damp so the creases fall out.
Can a viscose dress go in the tumble dryer?
It is best to avoid it, because heat can make viscose shrink and crease. Follow the care label, and air dry the dress on a hanger.
Can I iron a viscose dress?
Yes, if the care label allows it. Use low heat and perhaps a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric, or steam the dress gently.
