With the proper techniques, you can safely iron rayon-acetate fabrics. Iron them while they are slightly damp and place a pressing cloth over the material to avoid burning the fabric. Set the iron on a low heat setting with no steam.
Both rayon and acetate are semi-synthetic fabrics, made from wood pulp or cellulose and treated with chemicals. The fabric combination produces a smooth, shiny and silky product at a reduced cost when compared to natural silks.
Fabric Care
Fabrics that contain just acetate can be washed on a warm setting with an all-purpose detergent, but when rayon is added, verify the fabric care instructions on the garment first or on the directions provided to you when you bought the fabric. Hand-wash rayon-acetate combinations in cold water with a mild or gentle detergent and air-dry. Iron the fabric while it is still slightly damp.
Things You'll Need:
- Ironing board with heat-resistant cover
- Iron
- Cotton pressing cloth or towel
Rayon-Acetate Ironing Tips
Lay the fabric right-side face-down on the ironing board or inside-out while it is still slightly damp. Do not iron the fabric when it is dripping wet, as you don't want to create water stains.
Verify the iron is set to low heat.
Place a cotton towel over a section of the fabric that you wish to iron. Iron the pressing cloth in circular motions. Lift the pressing cloth off the fabric.
Adjust the rayon-acetate fabric and reset the pressing cloth over the fabric. Iron the new section of fabric through the pressing cloth. Periodically adjust the rayon-acetate material and the pressing cloth until you have completely ironed the entire piece of material.
Warnings:
- * Do not place the iron directly on the rayon-acetate material, as the iron can melt the fabric.
* Do not leave the iron resting on the pressing cloth or leave it in place for too long; the heat builds up and can burn through the pressing cloth.
Tip
- Sort fabrics by the temperature required for ironing; iron the low temperature items first, gradually increasing the heat as you iron materials that require higher temperatures.
- When ironing garments with zippers or closures, verify the material flaps are laid over them to avoid ironing the zipper or other fasteners.
- Allow 5 minutes between changes in temperature settings to allow the iron to heat up or cool down as needed.
Writer Bio
As a native Californian, artist, journalist and published author, Laurie Brenner began writing professionally in 1975. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. Brenner graduated from San Diego's Coleman College.
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