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The Soulful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 1850
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:14 pm: | 
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So, I got this very groovy rayon shirt at Burlington Coat. I don't usually wear rayon. I always go 100% cotton or linen or wool. But, I liked this shirt and the price was right.
Unforunately, there are no washing instructions on it anywhere.
Can I throw it in the wash? Or, must it be dry cleaned to keep its very groovy shape, etc.?
Thanks. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1102
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:29 pm: |
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Soulful, I love rayon, it's so cool and comfy, BUT depending on the weave it may stretch or even develop gaps in the weave (can't think of a word for this) if washed. Safest, though smelly and a nuisance, is to get it dry cleaned. If your $ and emotional investment in this shirt are not too great, and if it's a pretty tight weave, you could try putting it in one of those mesh bags and washing it on cool/gentle, but don't say you heard it from me. It's sure to need ironing afterwards, too.
Did the kid find his summer job?
cheers -
MC |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1637
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:30 pm: |
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Why is it smelly to get the shirt dry cleaned? |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2411
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
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Are you sure there are no washing instructions anywhere. Look for a tiny tag on the inside seam on the side of the shirt.
In any event, although many rayon shirts say dry clean only, my husband has a few short sleeve rayon shirts which I do wash. I wash them in cold water delicate cycle (don't wash heavier weight stuff with it just similar weighted stuff). I then take out the rayon shirts and hang them up wet on plastic hangars and sort of smooth out the shirts in lieu of ironing - which is against my religion - ironing that is. Hope that helps.
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mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1103
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:39 pm: |
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LilLb, maybe we're going to the wrong cleaner, but I can smell the solvents or whatever when things come home, and I don't have a very sensitive nose. Maybe it's just because we don't send many things out anymore, so I'm not used to it. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1639
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:45 pm: |
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Actually, there was a short period of time when my sweaters would come back "smelly" from the dry cleaners, but it was very short lived, so I never investigated it.... |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1831
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:52 pm: |
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I've lost VERY many rayon shirts to the drier in our home. Don't do it. I'm pretty certain that rayon is a natural fiber (not synthetic).
On the other hand, I'm so sick of dry cleaning clothes that I either won't buy it or I'll intentionally buy it large expecting it to shrink. If it doesn't, I'm just out of luck.
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CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 2261
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 2:02 pm: |
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Rayon is made from natural cellulose, so it's a kind of man-made natural fiber if that makes sense.
Here is a page that tells you all about rayon:
http://www.fibersource.com/f-tutor/rayon.htm
It says you should usually dry-clean, but handwashing can be done if you're careful. I would think that if you used one of those mesh bags and used the handwash cycle on your washing machine (if you have a handwash cycle) it would be OK. But do NOT put it into the dryer - Rayon will disintegrate in the dryer. (and don't ask me how I know - it's first-hand unfortunately)
I will tell you (also from experience) that rayon wrinkles like crazy and ironing it is a bitch. The link above recommends ironing while it's still damp, and I'd say that's good advice, otherwise it will take you all day. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2714
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 2:34 pm: |
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Fabric sizing helps, too. I've washed rayon when I don't care about the resultant wrinkles (more casual shirts); mostly I dryclean it. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1430
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 2:57 pm: |
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Rayon is a man made fiber and technically considered synthetic (despite cellulose content). You can wash it in cold water gentle and line or flat dry. Rayon has a high shrinkage rate and cannot go in the dryer. Most manufacturers use dry clean only to protect themselves against returns when people do a poor job of home laundering.
It is illegal to sell a garment without care instructions - are you sure it's not in the side seam?
If your dry cleaning has a chemical smell you should change dry cleaners. |
The Soulful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 1851
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 3:54 pm: |
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"It is illegal to sell a garment without care instructions - are you sure it's not in the side seam?"
I didn't know that - I'll have to look again. Although who knows with Burlington Coat Factory. Maybe this is a "second" or a factory reject of some kind. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2413
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 3:58 pm: |
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eliz is right. That's why I suggested you check the side seam earlier. I also never implied you should put it in the dryer. Is it a button down shirt? Take it straight from the washer and hang it up once you've washed on gentle cycle, cold water or dryclean if the tag says dryclean only I suppose. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1098
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 4:03 pm: |
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I got a old favorite Rayon shirt . I wash it but hang dry it. It's atleast 20 yrs old . It still makes the cut for sun drenched vacations. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1431
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 4:42 pm: |
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Even factory seconds have to have proper labeling - it's a serious problem for a retailer to be found selling mislabeled or unlabeled goods. |
The Soulful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 1853
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 5:22 pm: |
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This....shirt....has....no...care....label.
I have turned it literally inside out. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2416
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 7:12 pm: |
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Sue the mfers. I'll represent you.
Love your friendly obnoxious lawyer acquaintance. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1432
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 7:59 pm: |
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Report them to the FTC or just wash in cold water and hang dry - I would choose option 2. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2418
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 8:03 pm: |
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me too  |
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