What is Viscose Fabric

Rayon spandex fabric is a fashion favorite! This versatile and soft material flows beautifully and feels dreamy on the skin.

Made from natural cellulose fibers, rayon is lightweight, breathable, and a popular choice for all sorts of garments, from flowy dresses to chic blouses. It’s also found in home textiles like curtains and bedding.

You’ll love rayon for its soft, silky texture—without the high price tag of fabrics like silk or cotton. When blended with spandex, it creates a stretchy, form-fitting fabric that’s perfect for activewear and stylish outfits.

Rayon spandex jersey fabric is a great example of this! Whether you're creating comfortable clothes or stylish decor, rayon is here to give you options.

How is Rayon Fabric Made?

The journey from wood pulp to your favorite blouse is pretty cool. Rayon starts its life as cellulose, which comes from wood pulp, bamboo, or cotton.
The cellulose is soaked in a chemical solution until it turns into a viscous liquid (hence the name “rayon”). Next, the rayon is filtered to remove impurities, then left to ripen so it’s smooth and consistent.
The liquid is pushed through tiny holes (called spinnerets) into a bath where it solidifies into long fibers. These fibers are cleaned and dried, getting rid of any chemicals.
The final fibers are spun into yarn using methods like ring spinning, ready to be knitted or woven into fabric. Now, your stunning synthetic fiber fabric is ready to rock the runway (or your living room)!

Why You'll Love Rayon Spandex Fabric

“Rayon Spandex fabric is known for its softness and smoothness, which makes it comfortable to wear and touch”

Rayon spandex fabric has some fabulous features that make it an all-star in the world of textiles. If comfort is king, rayon reigns supreme; it’s silky smooth, making it a great fabric for anything close to the skin.
Rayon loves moisture, meaning it wicks sweat away like a pro, keeping you cool and dry. Whether it’s a flowing maxi dress or a luxurious curtain, rayon fabric drapes beautifully for that elegant, effortless look.
Thanks to spandex, rayon spandex blends offer amazing elasticity, allowing for a snug, flattering fit in all the right places. Get the feel of high-end fabrics without breaking the bank; rayon delivers comfort and style on a budget.
From dresses to knit fabrics, home decor, and even industrial uses like hoses and tires—rayon does it all!

Some Things to Watch Out For With Rayon Fabric

Every fabric has its quirks, and rayon is no different. Rayon can shrink when exposed to heat or water, so it’s best to wash in cold water and avoid the dryer.
It’s not the most wrinkle-resistant fabric, but a quick press with a cool iron (turn it inside out!) will keep you looking sharp. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause fading, so be mindful of how you care for your rayon garments.
Traditional rayon production isn’t always kind to the environment, but there are more sustainable options out there!

Harmful Chemicals in Rayon Fabric Production?

The production of viscose fabric involves the use of several chemicals, some of which can be harmful to human health and the environment.

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH): This strong alkali is used to dissolve cellulose and create the viscose solution. It can be harmful if inhaled and can cause skin and eye irritation.
Carbon disulfide (CS2): This chemical is used to dissolve the cellulose in the viscose solution and can be toxic if inhaled. Long-term exposure to carbon disulfide can lead to neurological symptoms such as tremors, depression, and memory loss.
Zinc chloride: This chemical is used as a crosslinking agent to make the fibers bond together, creating a yarn. It is corrosive and can cause skin and eye irritation.
Sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide: These chemicals are used to improve the properties of the fabric, such as its softness, drapability, and luster. They can be corrosive and harmful if inhaled.
Heavy metals: The production process of Viscose fabric may also include heavy metals, such as lead, which can be harmful to human health if ingested or inhaled.

Products that use Rayon Spandex Fabric.

Clothing: Rayon fabric is commonly used in clothing, such as dresses, blouses, pants, and skirts, due to its softness, drapability, and luster.
Linens: Rayon fabric is also used in linens, such as sheets, pillowcases, and towels, due to its absorbency and comfort.
Home decor: Rayon fabric is used in home decor items, such as curtains, upholstery, and carpets, due to its softness and drapability.
Accessories: Rayon fabric is used in accessories, such as scarves, shawls, and bags, due to its softness, drapability and luster.
Industrial: Rayon fabric can be used in industrial applications, such as ropes, tires, hoses and rubber products.

Top Brands using Rayon Spandex Fabric That Care

H&M: H&M is a fashion brand that is committed to using sustainable materials in its products, including viscose. The company is a member of the CanopyStyle initiative, which aims to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forests in viscose production.
Zara: Zara is a popular fashion brand that uses viscose in many of its products, including dresses, blouses, and skirts. The company has a commitment to sustainability and has implemented measures to reduce its environmental impact, such as using recycled materials and reducing water usage.
Mango: Mango is a fashion brand that uses viscose in many of its products, such as dresses and blouses. The company has a commitment to sustainability and has implemented measures to reduce its environmental impact, such as using sustainable materials and reducing waste.
Everlane: Everlane is a fashion brand that is committed to transparency and ethical production. The company uses viscose in many of its products, such as dresses and jumpsuits, and sources its viscose from sustainable producers.
Reformation: Reformation is a sustainable fashion brand that uses viscose in many of its products, such as dresses, jumpsuits, and blouses. The company has a commitment to sustainable production and uses a variety of eco-friendly materials in its products.

Important Certifications with Rayon Spandex Fabric

FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that the cellulose used to make viscose is harvested from responsibly managed forests. This certification helps to promote sustainability and biodiversity in the production of rayon.
EU Ecolabel: The EU Ecolabel certification ensures that products are made with a reduced environmental impact, including the production of rayon. This certification covers a range of environmental criteria, such as water usage, emissions, and waste reduction.
CanopyStyle: The CanopyStyle initiative is a global campaign that aims to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forests in the production of rayon. Companies that are members of this initiative commit to sourcing their viscose from sustainable sources and avoiding the use of controversial fiber sources.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): The GOTS certification ensures that the entire production process of a textile product, including the production of rayon, meets strict environmental and social criteria. This includes the use of sustainable materials, the reduction of water usage and emissions, and fair labor practices.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100: The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification ensures that textile products, including those made with rayon, are free from harmful chemicals and safe for human use. This certification covers a range of substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, and formaldehyde.

Alternative Fabrics to Rayon Spandex

Linen: Linen is a natural fiber that is derived from the flax plant. It is known for its breathability and cooling properties, making it a popular choice for summer clothing and bedding. Linen fabric is also eco-friendly, as it requires less water and energy to produce than rayon.
Hemp: Hemp is a natural fiber that is derived from the hemp plant. It is known for its durability and strength, and is often used for clothing, bags, and other accessories. Hemp fabric is also eco-friendly, as it requires less water and pesticides to grow than rayon.
Tencel: Tencel is a brand name for lyocell, a fiber made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees. It is known for its softness and moisture-wicking properties, and is often used for clothing, bedding, and home textiles. Tencel is also eco-friendly, as it is produced using a closed-loop process that minimizes waste and uses less water and energy than rayon.
Recycled fabrics: Recycled fabrics, such as polyester made from recycled plastic bottles or cotton made from recycled clothing, are an eco-friendly alternative to rayon. These fabrics help to reduce waste and conserve resources, while also providing a sustainable option for clothing and textiles.

How is Rayon Spandex Fabric Improving

Use of sustainable sources: Rayon producers are increasingly sourcing their cellulose from sustainable sources, such as bamboo, eucalyptus, and other non-endangered trees. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of viscose production and promote sustainability.
Closed-loop production processes: Some rayon producers are implementing closed-loop production processes, which minimize waste and reduce the use of water and energy. These processes help to make viscose production more eco-friendly and sustainable.
Transparency in supply chains: Rayon producers are working to increase transparency in their supply chains, including tracing the origin of their cellulose and ensuring ethical and responsible practices throughout the production process. This helps to promote sustainability and social responsibility in the production of viscose.
Use of eco-friendly chemicals: Rayon producers are increasingly using eco-friendly chemicals in the production process, such as enzymes and bio-based solvents. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of viscose production and promote sustainability.
Certification and standards: The development and use of certifications and standards, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the CanopyStyle initiative, help to promote sustainability and responsible sourcing in the production of rayon.

FAQ

Is Rayon Spandex fabric eco-friendly?

Viscose production can have a significant environmental impact due to the chemicals used in the production process. Advances in sustainable production methods and the use of alternative sources of cellulose, such as bamboo and eucalyptus, are helping to make viscose a more eco-friendly choice.

Is Rayon Spandex fabric breathable?

Yes, viscose fabric is known for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties. It is often used to create lightweight, flowy garments such as dresses, blouses, and skirts.

Does Rayon Spandex fabric shrink?

Viscose fabric tends to shrink when exposed to heat or water. To prevent shrinkage, it is recommended to wash viscose garments in cold water and hang them to dry.

Is Rayon Spandex fabric durable?

Viscose fabric is not as durable as some other natural fibers such as cotton or linen. However, it can be blended with other materials such as elastane or cotton to improve its durability.

Can Rayon Spandex fabric be ironed?

Yes, viscose fabric can be ironed on a low heat setting. It is recommended to iron viscose garments inside out to avoid damaging the fibers.

Final Thoughts about Rayon Spandex Fabric

Rayon fabric is a popular and versatile material used in the fashion industry. Made from natural fibers, viscose is known for its softness, draping qualities, and breathability. The production of viscose can have a significant environmental impact due to the chemicals used in the production process.

Despite this, advances in sustainable production methods and the use of alternative sources of cellulose are helping to make rayon a more eco-friendly choice. Overall, rayon offers a range of benefits such as affordability, versatility, and comfort, and with a growing emphasis on sustainability and ethical production practices, it can continue to be a responsible choice for consumers and the environment.

Featured