Does all viscose shrink in the wash.

[PearlsAreGirlsBestFriend]

It seems that most of high street women’s clothes is made with some % of viscose. I have some items that didn’t shrink and some have shrank a lot. Lots of reviews about the ubiquitous Mark wide leg trousers shrinking. Is there any way to tell that the garment will shrink?

I got a pair of viscose cropped trousers, not cheap, washed them at 30 and I couldn’t get them on! It hasn’t happened to any other viscose garments.

Anything mixed with polyester or nylon isn't likely to shrink. Has the advantage of much less creasing too. You probably need at least 35% synthetic fibre. But viscose plus any natural fibre (cotton, linen, silk, wool) is asking for trouble, because natural fibres often shrink and crease.

No - but it is always a risk with something that is 100% viscose especially if its cheaply made.

I make my own clothes and find the more expensive well made viscose is as durable as cotton/linen.

I've used this fabric https://www.minerva.com/mp/1/ABC20-M/ABC21?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjGvTY-hW6iVBFOk1HykgtIdHoMtUzkger1gESExo73Qle4q5AANADRoC7DMQAvD_BwE

To make a wide legged jumpsuit and it's 100% viscose and washes without an issue.

If you are buying cheaper made clothes it's worth looking at labels as anything that has cotton/linen/polyester mixed in with the viscose is less likely to a be a shrink risk.

Agree with pastabest.
I've never shrunk anything viscose or tencel, which is posh viscose. I don't mind handwashing but tencel dresses from Palava are fine on a delicate machine wash.

That's not been my experience but I hand wash or cold machine wash everything I care about.

Re above. Viscose is a natural fibre. It’s made from bamboo.

I think it can be other types of wood too. That's why it's better mixed with synthetic.

I think it can be other types of wood too. That's why it's better mixed with synthetic.

My M&S viscose-linen mix trousers are fine. 30° wash, cool tumble. Very fine fabrics I hand wash in 'delicates' liquid or hand soap.

I've got some viscose tops that are too baggy, though, so maybe I'll try giving them a warmer wash!

I find you have to iron it back into shape or it stays shrunk and too small.

I don't have much joy with it, viscose from M&S and Next has shrunk, a couple of Seasalt things have been OK though, but of course they are more expensive.

I don't buy anything made with viscose anymore. Literally everything I have ever bought shrinks in the wash. It's so annoying.

It can be hit and miss, I bought two colours in the same dress from white stuff one shrunk one didn't, and the shrinkage was a whole size!

Sometimes it can depend on whether the fabric was pretreated/prewashed before the garments were made, mostly they won't have been for cheaper clothing though.

Yes this. I love viscose but it needs steam after washing. A handheld steamer is good for this.