Why why why does viscose always shrink in the wash?

[DiamondsandRainbows]

In the past I have have washed viscose at 40', as per the instructions on the label and the items have shrunk.

Now whenever I buy viscose I wash it on cold...so far so good until today and another item has shrunk. Gutted, it was a really nice top . Now the lining is hanging longer than the top.

Whenever I have gone back to a shop I have been given the whole 'ooooh, you're the first person that this has happened to'...really? Or am I the only person who can't afford to throw stuff away after a couple of wears?

Is it me? or should they just not make clothes in viscose? Or is my washing machine secretly heating up water without me noticing? sorry about the rant. Does anyone else avoid buying viscose?

Can't say I've that problem. Can you pull the top into shape whilst it's damp? Is your washing machine washing at accurate temperatures?

Finally, where's the top from because I'd take it back as faulty if washed per the instructions and it has shrunk.

I once read, in a book on "how to complain," that when a shop/restaurant/cruise line says "we've had no other complaints," the right response is "and how is that relevant?"

It probably isn't true anyway.

How are you drying it? Do you reshape whilst damp?

I hate viscose and yes, it frequently shrinks on me. Total pain in the arse of a fabric to wear as well as wash.

You can try 'snapping' (stretch with a snap) it back into shape when it comes out of the washing machine, that might help. But my own personal remedy is to not buy it in the first place.

I don't think it's because it's viscose, but there is a correlation between clothes being cheaply made and being made out of viscose (a relatively cheap fibre). The trouble comes from fabrics not being properly pre-shrunk prior to cutting and sewing. You're absolutely right to complain, and to insist on repair/replacement/refund whenever you're sold defective goods.

Personally, I love viscose: it feels lovely and drapes nicely. Please don't ban it just yet

I find you have to iron viscose to relax the fibres again and get it back to its original size. Most of my viscose clothes rarely get worn for this very reason.

Yes, I have had this, even with more expensive items.

So glad that I'm not the only person who finds this!

It wasn't dead cheap...it was in the sale from quite a nice shop. I have ironed it and the lining no longer hangs longer but its shrunk enough to ruin the fit of if.

Will take it back and be ready with 'how is that relevant?' just in case. What a pain.

I some times face the same issue
Now I think of buying bigger size when ever I buy viscous