How to Press Vintage Rayon
Rayon is soft fabric made from cellulose fibers that are derived from chemically processed wood pulp. The fabric is lightweight, comfortable and drapes well. It has long been used to make apparel and lingerie, many of which are available as vintage clothing items. Proper care must be taken with older fabric, as it is very delicate. Vintage rayon garments are best professionally dry cleaned. However, if you may wish to launder and press your vintage rayon garments at home or between professional cleanings, they should be ironed on the wrong side, using a cool to moderate setting. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Read any care labels attached to the garment by the manufacturer. Follow the instructions for proper care of the garment and the correct iron or heat settings as specified on the label.
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Pour water into the iron for a steam setting as indicated by the iron’s manufacturer.
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Select the heat setting on the iron as indicated on the care label. If the garment has no care label, start at the lowest setting appropriate to the weight of the fabric. Your iron will have a fabric guide. Choose the setting for “rayon,” if present. If no “rayon” setting is on your iron, choose the lowest heat setting, which is typically “acrylic”, “nylon” or “silk.”
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Turn the vintage rayon garment inside out.
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Spread the garment over the padded ironing board and smooth the surface using the palms of your hands.
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Run the surface of the iron over the towel to remove any residues and to dissipate excess heat.
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Dampen the garment, if you will not be ironing with a steam setting.
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Run the iron over a hidden inner segment of the garment, such as a turned-under hemline. Look for any signs of scorching, wrinkling or sticking to the iron’s surface.
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Adjust the heat setting up or down as required to get the wrinkles out of the garment without scorching.
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Smooth the wrinkles out of the garment by running the iron over the surface, adjusting and smoothing the fabric on the ironing board as necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a cool iron to keep the garment wrinkle-free between wearing.
Items that are not badly wrinkled may simply need to be hung on a clothes hanger for a few hours in a steamy area, such as a bathroom, before wearing.
Handle the vintage rayon garment with care, especially when pressing close to buttons and stitching.
Use the point of the iron to press around buttons and seams.
Smooth the iron in the direction of the fabric’s weave or grain.
References
Resources
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