topic Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink? in Fashion

Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

mia 2 — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:51:29 GMT

I have just brought my first items in these combos. Until this year had never seen it. Now it is everywhere. I ask you all for your experience so far with these fabrics. If it's about 50% cotton, 50% modal or 50% cotton, 50% rayon, will the item shrink if you wash without machine drying?

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

ANewHue — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:54:38 GMT

I love modal/cotton but honestly all my items I prefer to hang dry.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Mtnbikegirl — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:55:15 GMT

I lay flat to dry if it is rayon. Most of my LOGO is rayon/span blend, and I notice I haven't had any piling on my tops. I put the LOGO Lounge in the dryer, and it's cotton/rayon/span blend, and I noticed piling and a little shrinkage. I didn't make that mistake again-lol! I hope this helps.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

jaxs mom — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:57:17 GMT

Rayon will shrink if you put it in the dryer. I machine wash but hang dry anything with rayon.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

peachesncream — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:58:46 GMT

I buy cotton/modal fabric tops a lot. It's my favorite fabric. It holds its shape and color over time. And the fabric feels a bit silky to the touch. In my experience, it doesn't shrink at all with washing. I don't know about drying, because I hang up my tops to dry.

A rayon blend can be more unpredictable. I've had blouses, tops and sweaters with some rayon in them that have kept their shape beautifully. I've had others that shrank. Good brands of clothing are less apt to shrink, in my experience. Also, a small amount of rayon is less apt to be a problem. But I'm still a little suspicious of rayon.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

mia 2 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:00:36 GMT

I appreciate all your comments as these materials are new to me and I don't know quite how to care for them. I never dry any of my clothes in the dryer. I think clothes last longer that way. I either hang to dry flat. But thanks for your comments on the fabrics. Anyone else who knows anything about them, all input is appreciated. It sounds from your comments like modal doesn't shrink with a cold water wash but rayon might shrink a little in a cold water wash.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:29:39 GMT

My experience with Susan Graver's items is that NO, they do not shrink.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

mia 2 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 02:31:04 GMT

Goldengate-Thanks for your response. I don't recall Susan Graver selling tops with rayon or modal, but I may be mistaken. I have a lot of her liquid knit and butterknit and they don't shrink at all. I was just wondering about those designers that do 50% cotton mixed with either 50% rayon or 50% modal.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 02:49:44 GMT

Mia - some of her newer items are, in fact, a cotton modal mix. I actually really like this fabric from SG. Good luck.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Kathlen — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 03:14:11 GMT

I have cotton/modal pieces dating back to the Freelance days on QVC ... no shrinking.

Lots of cotton/modal shirts from LandsEnd ... no shrinking.

"Modal is a type of rayon, a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber made by spinning reconstituted cellulose, in this case often from beech trees."

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

mia 2 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 05:08:49 GMT

Thank you so much Goldengate and Kathleen. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing the info.!

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Crisso — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 05:14:59 GMT

On 3/19/2015 ANewHue said: I love modal/cotton but honestly all my items I prefer to hang dry.

Yes!

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

jackthebear — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 11:58:27 GMT

I usually wash in cold and if the garment is new a mesh bag, then fry flat or hang on a molded hanger, I have a bunch of old plastic ones that suit jackets came on and they are perfect for this because they don't stretch out the sleeves and shoulders.

You should not have any problems if you don't put in the hot dryer.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

okaywitheasypay — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:28:48 GMT

On 3/19/2015 ANewHue said: I love modal/cotton but honestly all my items I prefer to hang dry.

I agree, my laundry room looks like a garage sale is going on at times. I have found a modal mix washes well and I hang dry most of my better items. Most washers anymore have a hand wash cycle that is very gentle. I would love to 'dry flat/ blocked , but just do not have the room to, and my cat thinks I have made it a new bed .

To hang dry I have taken hangers and hot glued old shoulder pads to them (taken from going to discard items) for really delicate items. So far no shoulder bumps.

I gave up on mostly rayon items as I always thought they did not wear well at all! A little in a mix is great though.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Trix — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:18:24 GMT

Most cotton shrinks a little, and all rayon shrinks a lot in the dryer regardless of how little heat you use. The dryer is not a friendly partner in the care of clothing.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Amazinggrace2 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:44:33 GMT

I think the key to avoiding shrinkage is a cold water wash (delicate cycle) and hang/flat drying. I even try to avoid machine washing and do a sink wash when time allows.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

wagirl — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 15:21:18 GMT

I hang anything that contains cotton, rayon or spandex to dry, including my jeans. I agree--the dryer is not our best friend!!

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

mia 2 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 19:35:11 GMT

Thanks to all of you who responded. I really appreciated your help. What a great resource you all are.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

goodstuff — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 22:22:28 GMT

I have some cotton/modal tops from Land's End and like the blend very much. They're very soft and have held up quite well going through the washer and dryer with no special treatment.

Re: Does cotton and rayon or modal mix shrink?

Barbara in Virginia — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 22:35:30 GMT

Rayon has a very low tensile strength when wet. I always wash anything containing rayon in a lingerie bag on either Delicate or Hand Wash setting and in cold water. Then dry flat or hang dry.

Shrinkage can be a problem as well as pilling. Because of the low tensile strength, any agitation can weaken the fibers and result in pilling.