Types of Rayon
It is unlikely that any other type of upholstery fabric is known by so many different names. In some cases, the names which refer to rayon also refer to the manufacturing process that is used to produce that specific type of fabric. This is because the exact manufacturing process that is used can frequently make subtle and yet distinctive differences in each type of rayon.
Viscose
Viscose rayon, which is sometimes referred to simply as viscose, was first produced commercially in 1910. This method is still used today. The name viscose refers to the viscous solution that is used in the manufacturing process of the fiber.
Cupro
The name of cuprammonium rayon takes its name from the process of the same name. This process was first introduced in 1926. The cellulose pulp that is used for the production of rayon is dissolved in a solution comprised of ammonia and copper oxide. This is different from the method that is used in the production of viscose rayon. The latter method utilizes sodium hydroxide.
Bemberg
The term bemberg actually refers to the trade name that has been given to a process that produces cuprammonium rayon. The first company to produce this form of rayon was also known by the same name.
Filament Rayon
Anytime a liquid polymer is forced through a spinneret to create a fiber, the fibers that are produced tend to be long and continuous. These fibers are known as filament fibers. This is how filament rayon has derived its name.
Spun Rayon
If the fibers that are produced from the spinneret are cut into shorter lengths before they are actually spun into a yarn, then the resulting fiber is known as staple. These types of rayon are spun rayon and feature a distinctive characteristic; a surface texture that is somewhat hairy.
Maintenance and Cleaning Guidelines
Knowing the different names of the many different types of rayon can prove to be helpful; however, it is not essential in order to appropriately clean rayon fabric. The most important fact to keep in mind is that some differences do exist between different types of rayon fabrics. Due to the fact that they are all in essence rayon they will share many of the same tendencies; however.
Rayon fabrics that are pure, such as taffeta, can be difficult to maintain. Keep in mind that rayon does lose much of its strength when it is wet. As a result it should be handled with extreme care when wet. In many cases, rayon can lose half of its strength when it is wet. Additionally, rayon can also ring when spot cleaning is applied. Rayon also shrinks when water comes into contact with it. Shrinkage becomes a particular problem with rayon fabrics that are woven loosely instead of tightly.
The best approach to cleaning rayon is to perform a pre-test in an area which is not likely to be noticed in order to determine the exact amount of shrinkage which may tend to occur when certain cleaning methods are used on a rayon fabric. This is particularly important when the fabric in question is one which is unfamiliar or which has not been previously handled.
Puckering can also occur on the welting on seams when wet cleaning is applied in many cases. If the fabric is heavily soiled, water-based cleaning may be necessary; however, the consumer should fully understand the ramifications of this before wet cleaning is applied.
Overall, dry cleaning is considered to be the safest way to clean rayon. This method may prove to be inferior at removing all of the dirt; however, especially if the soiling consists of more than just light soiling. Ideally, it is best to try to maintain rayon fabric on a routine basis so that heavy soiling simply does not occur. In this way dry-cleaning heavy soiling can be avoided. Lightly vacuuming the fabric can help to remove day to day soiling and ensure the overall condition of the fabric.
Using a treatment solution on the fabric can help to reduce the amount of absorbency normally seen in the fabric. Over time this can help to also minimize permanent staining of the fabric and increase the life expectancy of the fabric.
