What rayon means and why the word confuses
Short answer: Rayon is the American term for viscose. It is not a different material, just another name used in another part of the world, and the confusion usually shows up when shopping across borders.
Same fiber, two names
In Europe the fiber is called viscose, in the US rayon. There is no difference in the material itself. The names developed separately on the two continents through the twentieth century, and both describe the same cellulose fiber made from dissolved wood or bamboo pulp. See facts about bamboo.
That is why you see both words
Buying from an international shop or an American brand, the care label may say rayon. Danish and European brands usually say viscose instead. Both words describe the same process and the same result, so neither word is finer or better than the other one.
Rayon covers more in the US
In American usage, rayon can also cover modal and lyocell, which makes the word less precise than viscose. If a label only says rayon with no further detail, you cannot fully tell which of the three fiber types is actually inside. See bamboo underwear for men.
Bamboo rayon is bamboo viscose
Bamboo rayon is the same as bamboo viscose. The raw material is bamboo, and the process behind the fiber is the viscose process, whatever word the label uses. See how bamboo viscose is made for an overview of the steps from bamboo stalk to finished, spinnable cellulose fiber.
Where the word comes from
The word rayon was adopted in the US in 1924 to replace the older term "artificial silk," because the fiber looked like silk without being it. Viscose is the name of the chemical process itself, where cellulose is dissolved in a viscous bath and spun back into thread.
Quality stays the same
The name on the label says nothing about the quality of the individual garment. Two rayon-labeled items can differ in thickness and finish, just as two viscose-labeled ones can. See bamboo underwear for women for examples of both names used in practice.
How to read the label
If the label says rayon, viscose, or bamboo viscose, you can assume it is the same fiber type. If unsure, look for the term "regenerated cellulose" or "bamboo" in the composition, which is often added to make the origin clear to the shopper.
Care stays the same either way
Whatever the label says, the same washing rules apply. Use 40 degrees and skip fabric softener, and the fiber keeps its strength and soft drape the longest. See washing and care for the full recommendations that apply to rayon and viscose alike.
In short
Rayon and viscose are two names for the same fiber, shaped by history and geography. Bamboo rayon is bamboo viscose. Look for the word cellulose or bamboo on the label if unsure, and care for the fabric the same way no matter which name is printed.
Frequently asked questions
Is rayon the same as viscose?
Yes. Rayon is the American term for viscose. There is no difference in the material itself, only in which word is used in that part of the world.
Why do some labels say rayon?
Because they follow American labeling practice, where rayon has historically been the common word since 1924, instead of the European term viscose.
Is bamboo rayon different from bamboo viscose?
No. They are two names for the same thing. The raw material is bamboo, and the process behind the fiber is the viscose process regardless of the label's word.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
