You have found the perfect dress, washed it once – and suddenly it’s tight across the shoulders. Does viscose shrink in the wash? Yes, it does, and more often than most people think. But the shrinkage is not random, and it is almost always avoidable once you know what actually happens to the fiber in water.
In this guide, we go through why viscose shrinks, how much you can expect, exactly how to wash and dry the garment to avoid it, what to do with a piece that has already shrunk – and how to recognize viscose in your wardrobe.
Contents
- Why does viscose shrink?
- How much does viscose shrink?
- How to wash viscose without it shrinking
- Can you save a garment that has already shrunk?
- Drying and ironing viscose
- Viscose in the wardrobe – what the material is suitable for
- Our current favorites
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Why does viscose shrink?
Viscose is a regenerated cellulose fiber—it is made from wood pulp, but in the wash, it behaves more like cotton than polyester. The fiber is highly absorbent, and that is the whole explanation: when viscose absorbs water, each individual thread swells in width and becomes shorter in length. The weave pulls together, and the garment becomes smaller.
What makes viscose extra sensitive is that the fiber loses much of its strength when wet. Wet viscose jersey allowed to hang under its own weight, or spun hard in a centrifuge, is pulled out of shape in a way dry viscose never would be. The combination of warm water and mechanical agitation is therefore the worst—not one or the other alone.
The same mechanism that causes linen to contract applies here, though viscose is more sensitive because the fiber is weaker when wet. Read more about how its close relative behaves in our guide on does linen shrink in the wash.
How much does viscose shrink
Expect 3–5 percent in a normal 40-degree wash – that is, about half a size. It sounds small, but on a dress that is already tight across the bust, it is the difference between comfortable and impossible.
At 60 degrees, or if the garment is tumble dried, the shrinkage can be 8–10 percent. That is a whole size, and it is effectively permanent. Most of the shrinkage occurs during the very first wash; after that, the garment stabilizes as long as you maintain the same temperature.
| Washing method | Expected shrinkage | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Hand wash, cold water | 0–1 % | The safest of all – use for garments with lining or embroidery |
| 30 degrees, delicate wash | 1–2 % | The everyday choice for most viscose garments |
| 40 degrees, normal cycle | 3–5 % | About half a size – avoid for tight garments |
| 60 degrees | 6–8 % | Almost never necessary; also wears down the color |
| Tumble dryer | 8–10 % | Do not do this – the shrinkage cannot be reversed |
How to wash viscose without it shrinking
There are only five rules, and they don't take any longer than regular laundry once you get the hang of them.
- Wash at 30 degrees or cooler. Viscose rarely gets dirty deep down – it tends to smell instead, and odors disappear just as well at 30 degrees.
- Choose a delicate or hand-wash cycle. It is the mechanical movement that shrinks the weave, not just the heat.
- Lower the spin speed to 400–600 RPM. Wet viscose is weak, and high-speed spinning is what causes stretched shoulders and widened seams.
- Use a laundry bag. Especially for dresses with ties, ruffles, or sheer sleeves that would otherwise tangle.
- Skip fabric softener for jersey. It creates a film that causes the garment to lose its drape.
Turn the garment inside out before putting it in the machine, and preferably wash viscose separately or with other light items – a pair of jeans in the same load acts like sandpaper against the soft weave. The same careful principle applies to knitwear, which we cover in the guide on how to wash knitwear.
Can you save a garment that has already shrunk?
Sometimes, but not always—and expectations should be moderate. If the garment has shrunk half a size at 40 degrees, it is often possible to stretch most of it back. If it has been in the tumble dryer, the fibers are locked in their new position, and that is difficult.
The method that works best: mix lukewarm water with a couple of tablespoons of hair conditioner in a basin, add the garment, and let it soak for half an hour. The conditioner softens the fibers. Do not rinse; instead, gently squeeze out the water in a towel and lay the garment flat. Then gently stretch it to the correct dimensions while it is still damp, and let it dry in that stretched position. Femina has a step-by-step guide on the same household trick in their guide on how to save a sweater that has shrunk in the wash.
Stretch a little at a time and measure against a garment that fits correctly. If you pull too hard in one place, you will get a distorted seam instead of a garment that is too small, and that is harder to fix.
Drying and ironing viscose
The tumble dryer is the single most common reason a viscose garment is ruined—keep it shut. Also, do not hang a wet viscose garment on a hanger, because the weight of the water stretches out the shoulders and length. Instead, lay it flat on a towel, shape it to the correct dimensions with your hands, and let it dry at room temperature, preferably not in direct sunlight which bleaches the color.
Viscose wrinkles easily but releases wrinkles just as easily. Iron on a low setting (the silk setting) while the garment is still slightly damp, preferably with a pressing cloth in between if the fabric is dark—a direct iron on dry viscose can create shiny spots that do not go away. A steamer or a few minutes in a steamy bathroom is often enough instead.
Viscose is also a material with an environmental downside worth knowing about; Råd & Rön has examined how viscose is produced. A garment that lasts longer is effectively the most sustainable thing you can do with what you already own.
Viscose in the wardrobe – what the material is suitable for
Viscose has a drape that few other materials come close to. That is why so many women's dresses are made of precisely viscose: the fabric follows the body without clinging, and it provides the soft movement in a wrap dress or a long skirt.
The material breathes better than polyester and feels cool against the skin, which makes it a good choice well into autumn under a cardigan or blazer. It does not, however, provide warmth on its own—if you want to know which materials actually keep you warm, we have compared them in our guide on which material is warmest. If you want to read more about the fiber itself, there is our overview of viscose as a material, and a comparison with other summer materials in the best material for a summer dress.
Our current favorites
Three garments with the soft drape that viscose provides—and which stand up to everyday life if you follow the advice above:
- Elegant wrap dress for women with adjustable midi design – the tie means half a size here or there does not matter.
- Sophie – adjustable wrap dress – light and cool, perfect under a cardigan when the evenings get chillier.
- Klara – midi wrap dress with V-neck – classic silhouette that drapes softly without being tight.
That a fabric "breathes" is actually two things, which is why the advice can be conflicting. The first is how easily air passes through the weave, which is determined by how loose it is—not by the fiber. The second is what the fabric does with sweat: linen, cotton, and wool absorb moisture into the fiber itself and release it, while polyester absorbs nothing at all and lets it stay against the skin. Therefore, a dense cotton garment can feel warmer than a thin viscose blouse, and that is why the innermost layer is what determines how a whole autumn day feels. Materials ranked from coolest to warmest, plus what to do with the garments you already own, in which material breathes best.
Viscose has a reputation for being delicate, and that is only half true: the material handles machine washing excellently, but the fiber swells and loses strength when it gets wet. This alone is the explanation for almost all viscose accidents. Wash at 30 degrees on a delicate cycle, spin at a low speed around 400–600 RPM, and let the garment dry laying flat on a towel—a wet viscose garment on a hanger is stretched out by its own weight and will not recover. The tumble dryer is the surest way to a shrunk garment, as it provides heat and movement at the same time. Iron while slightly damp on a low heat from the inside out, otherwise the fabric will become shiny in a way that cannot be undone. If the garment has already shrunk, it is often possible to stretch back some of it. The whole routine step-by-step in how to wash viscose.
Frequently asked questions
Does viscose shrink in the wash?
Yes. Viscose shrinks about 3–5 percent in a 40-degree machine wash and up to 8–10 percent in a tumble dryer. Most of this happens during the first wash. Wash at 30 degrees with a low spin speed and the shrinkage will be negligible.
How much does viscose shrink the first time?
The first wash accounts for almost all of the shrinkage—expect about half a size at 40 degrees. After that, the garment is stable as long as you maintain the same temperature and keep it away from the dryer.
Can you tumble dry viscose?
No. The combination of heat and mechanical movement causes the greatest shrinkage of all, and it cannot be reversed. Lay the garment flat on a towel instead.
Is it possible to stretch out viscose that has shrunk?
Often, if the garment has not been in the tumble dryer. Soak it in lukewarm water with a little hair conditioner, gently squeeze it out in a towel, and carefully stretch it to the correct dimensions while it is damp. Let it dry flat in a stretched position.
Can you wash viscose in a washing machine?
Yes, at 30 degrees on a delicate cycle, with a spin speed of 400–600 RPM and preferably in a laundry bag. Hand washing is safest for garments with linings, embroidery, or sheer details.
Is viscose warm to wear?
No, viscose insulates poorly and feels cool against the skin. That makes it comfortable for late summer and early autumn, but you will need a layer on top when the temperature drops.
Summary
Viscose shrinks because the fiber absorbs water and swells—3–5 percent at 40 degrees, up to 10 percent in a tumble dryer, and most of it occurs during the first wash. Keep the temperature at 30 degrees, choose a delicate cycle, lower the spin speed, and let the garment dry flat, and you will barely notice it. If an accident has occurred, a garment that has shrunk moderately can often be stretched back using lukewarm water and hair conditioner—but a tumble-dried garment is difficult to save.
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