You probably already know that the world of knitwear and fabrics is divided based on their origin. Some are synthetic materials—obtained through industrial processes, most often based on chemicals. The second category comprises natural materials, meaning they occur naturally in a raw or minimally processed state.
Linen, wool, and silk are just a few examples of fabrics with a long history and unique properties. But that's not all! The world of natural fibers is much more diverse and fascinating than you might think.
Today I'd like to introduce you to cellulose fibers, which are used to create fabrics such as viscose, modal, lyocell, and cupro. Let's start from the beginning.
What are cellulose fibers and where do they come from?
Cellulose fibers are natural materials that have been used for centuries to produce fabrics. They are made from cellulose, an organic compound found in the cell walls of plants, primarily trees. The raw material for producing cellulose fibers is most often trees, but other plants, such as bamboo and cotton, also come from them.
How is cellulose made?
I will try to describe it in the shortest and simplest way.
Thanks to various processing methods, cellulose can be transformed into delicate and pleasant-to-the-touch fibers, which are the basis of many popular fabrics. However, before this happens, cellulose is dissolved in special solutions and then forced through tiny holes, creating continuous threads.
These threads are immersed in a coagulation bath, which causes them to harden and form a fiber, which is then woven or knitted into fabrics.
Types of cellulose fiber fabrics
If you already know how cellulose fiber is made, I will now show you what the most popular materials are that we obtain as a result of all these processes.
There are many types of fabrics made from cellulose fibers, each with different properties and uses. The most popular are:
VISCOSE
Viscose, like linen and cotton, is classified as a plant-based fiber, which makes it a popular choice among vegans.
Moreover, it is a material with extremely diverse properties. Thanks to chemical processes, viscose fibers can take on many different forms, meaning there is no single, universal viscose.
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Variety of textures : Viscose can imitate silk, cotton, and even wool. You can achieve both shiny, slippery materials and matte, cool fabrics with a heavy, flowing character.
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Various weaves and admixtures : Depending on the fiber weave, admixtures and further chemical processing, viscose can resemble knitwear or other types of fabrics.
Viscose, although it feels like silk, combining slipperiness, softness, and coolness, is similar in properties to cotton. It's a material that allergy sufferers can safely wear, as it's highly breathable and moisture-wicking, making it an ideal choice for spring and summer wardrobes, such as dresses, skirts, blouses, underwear, pajamas, linings, and hygiene products.
Advantages of viscose:
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Breathable: Thanks to its natural origin, viscose is airy, which makes it perfect for hot days;
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Velvety touch: Its smooth texture and "cold touch" resemble silk and give a feeling of coolness on the skin, which can be especially beneficial on hot summer days;
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Antistatic: Viscose does not attract dust particles, so this material does not become static;
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Hygienic: It absorbs moisture perfectly, which is why it is often used in hygiene materials;
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Skin-friendly: the natural origin of viscose makes it very well tolerated by people prone to allergies;
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Color fastness: even despite intensive use or frequent washing, viscose does not lose its color intensity.
Combining with other fibers : Viscose blends beautifully with other fibers, making them soft, smooth, and airy. When combined with synthetics, it increases their breathability.
Viscose care
Viscose is a delicate fabric that requires our care. Just like a plant – if you water it and give it adequate light, it will reward you with beautiful flowers. It's the same with viscose – proper care will keep it looking beautiful for a long time.
Our tips will help you learn how to maintain the beautiful appearance and properties of this unique fabric.
WASHING
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Viscose, especially the most delicate varieties such as chiffon or satin, prefers a bath to a washing machine.
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It is best to immerse it in lukewarm water with a little mild liquid and simply rinse it.
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However, if you prefer to use the washing machine, choose the baby or wool program – it will be the most suitable.
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Definitely avoid spinning. This will ensure optimal fiber protection and maintain its natural shine for a long time.
DRYING
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Viscose definitely prefers a natural environment.
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Under no circumstances should it be dried in a tumble dryer, as this could damage the fiber structure.
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Therefore, it is best to lay the clothes flat or hang them on a hanger.
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If you want to dry the fabric outdoors, choose a place that is relatively shaded, which will help preserve its original color.
IRONING
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Ironing viscose requires gentleness, so set your iron to the lowest possible temperature. If your iron has a temperature gauge, make sure it doesn't exceed 110 degrees Celsius.
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Iron through a thin cotton cloth, especially if you are dealing with delicate materials like satin.
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To additionally protect the material from the harmful effects of temperature, always iron on the wrong side.
We wish you a breezy summer in viscose!
