Rayon feels soft and flows like silk—but can you safely iron it?This fabric wrinkles easily and reacts poorly to heat. In this post, you’ll learn how to iron rayon properly, avoid damage, and care for it the right way.
Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric made from cellulose, often sourced from wood pulp or bamboo.
It feels silky, soft, and light—but it’s not as strong when wet.
Rayon is highly absorbent, which makes it comfortable, but also prone to shrinking or wrinkling after a wash.
Its smooth drape is one reason why it looks elegant. But that same softness means it creases easily.
After air drying, most rayon clothing will come out wrinkled. That’s when people reach for an iron.
You’ll likely want to press rayon to keep it looking neat, especially for shirts, dresses, or office wear.
Yes—you can iron rayon, but you must use care.
Rayon fibers are heat-sensitive. They can scorch, shrink, or lose shape if overheated.
Never use high heat. Use the lowest temperature or “rayon” setting on your iron.
It helps to place a pressing cloth between the fabric and the iron to avoid direct contact.
Also, never iron rayon while it's bone dry. Light dampness helps the fibers relax.
Ironing Risk |
What Happens |
How to Avoid It |
Too much heat |
Scorching, yellowing, stiffness |
Use low heat, test a small area |
No steam or moisture |
Deep creases remain, possible burns |
Mist fabric or use light steam |
No pressing cloth |
Shine or marks on fabric surface |
Always use a cotton cloth barrier |
● After air-drying, when the fabric becomes stiff or wrinkled
● If the rayon shrinks unevenly and needs reshaping
● When you're prepping clothes for events, meetings, or clean styling
In most cases, ironing rayon is about keeping it polished—not just removing wrinkles.
Rayon can be ironed—but only if you're careful. Follow these steps to avoid damaging your clothes.
1. Set the iron to low heat or the “rayon” setting. Never use high heat.
2. Turn the garment inside out. This protects the outer surface.
3. Use a pressing cloth—like a clean cotton towel—between the iron and the rayon.
4. Lightly press, don’t slide the iron back and forth. Firm sliding may stretch or distort the fabric.
5. Use steam or mist the fabric slightly. A little moisture makes the fibers easier to smooth.
Tip: Test a small hidden area first before ironing the full piece.
Tool |
Why It Helps |
Steam iron |
Allows better control of heat and moisture |
Pressing cloth |
Prevents shine and scorch marks |
Spray bottle |
Adds gentle moisture to help relax wrinkles |
Ironing board w/ cover |
Keeps fabric smooth and evenly supported |
Sometimes, you don’t want to use an iron. Good news—there are gentler ways to smooth rayon.
Yes. Steaming is often safer than ironing.
● Use a handheld steamer or the steam setting on your iron.
● Hang the garment on a hanger.
● Keep the steamer a few inches away. Glide up and down slowly.
● Use your hand to smooth the fabric as it steams.
Hot tip: Steam while the garment is still slightly damp for best results.
Yes, especially for light creases.
● Hang it in a steamy bathroom for 10–15 minutes while you shower.
● Use a wrinkle release spray and gently tug and reshape the fabric.
● Lay it flat on a clean surface and smooth it with your hands while it’s still damp.
These no-heat methods work well for casual garments or delicate rayon blends.
Rayon is sensitive. A small mistake while ironing can ruin the fabric.
High temperatures can scorch rayon or cause shiny marks.
Always use low heat and never iron it completely dry.Moisture helps soften the fibers. A slightly damp fabric is safer and easier to work with.
Dry rayon doesn’t press well. It might wrinkle even more or resist shaping.
Direct contact with the iron can damage the surface.
Use a clean cotton cloth between the iron and the rayon.This barrier protects from heat spots, shine, or stretching.
Ironing over decorations can melt, lift, or distort them.
Turn the item inside out or press around the printed areas carefully.
Avoiding wrinkles starts with how you wash, dry, and store rayon.
● Wash on a gentle cycle or by hand
● Always use cold water
● Skip the dryer—air-dry flat or hang
High heat from a dryer can shrink rayon and lock in wrinkles.
● Use padded hangers to avoid shoulder marks
● If folded, do it loosely to prevent creases
● Avoid overstuffing your closet—rayon needs space to breathe
Some rayon blends wrinkle less than pure rayon.
Blend Type |
Wrinkle Resistance |
Best For |
Rayon + Spandex |
High |
Fitted garments, travel wear |
Rayon + Polyester |
Medium |
Everyday basics |
100% Rayon (woven) |
Low |
Needs careful handling |
Blends make rayon easier to manage without sacrificing comfort.
Taking good care of rayon starts before you even think about ironing. Always check the garment’s care label first—it tells you the safest way to handle the fabric. When washing, be gentle: hand wash or use the delicate cycle on your machine. Avoid rough washing to keep the fibers safe.
After washing, air dry your rayon clothes flat or hang them up. This helps reduce wrinkles naturally and lowers the need for heavy ironing. Only iron or steam your rayon items when absolutely necessary, because this fabric can be delicate and prone to damage from too much heat.
Fabric |
Ironing Temp Needed |
Risk of Damage |
Steam Use |
Tips |
Rayon |
Low |
High |
Yes |
Use a pressing cloth and steam carefully |
Cotton |
Medium to high |
Low |
Yes |
Spray water for best results |
Polyester |
Low to medium |
Medium |
Yes |
Avoid direct heat too long |
Silk |
Low |
High |
Yes |
Always iron inside out |
Linen |
High |
Medium |
Yes |
Iron damp for best results |
Rayon needs the lowest ironing temperature compared to cotton or linen. It’s risky—too much heat can cause shiny spots or even burn the fabric. Using steam helps soften wrinkles but do it carefully. A cloth between the iron and rayon protects it further. Other fabrics like cotton and linen handle heat better but still benefit from steam and moisture to get smooth results.
If you treat rayon gently, it will stay looking fresh longer—and you’ll avoid the dreaded fabric damage that happens from careless ironing.
Yes, you can iron rayon—but only with care. Use low heat, light pressure, and always add a pressing cloth. Steam helps, but don’t overdo it. Sometimes, steaming or wrinkle sprays work better than ironing. Treat rayon gently to keep it smooth and safe.
A: Yes, but use it gently. Always keep a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric.
A: Use low heat. High temperatures can scorch or damage rayon easily.
A: Not really. Rayon shrinkage is often permanent, even with gentle ironing or steaming.
A: Steaming is safer. It reduces wrinkles without direct contact that can damage the fabric.
A: Yes, but very carefully. Use low heat and a cloth to avoid melting the spandex.
