| Can you wash dry clean only clothes ? Yes! With a few exceptions... How to wash dry clean only clothes at home |
In general you can successfully hand wash most dry clean only garments.
(see list below for items best taken to the professionals)
The success will depend on the type of fabric, how the garment is put together, the dyes used,
and the printing process used on the fabric. Also your hand laundering success is dependent
on the amount of dirt and stains on the fabric. (see our Stain Removal Guide )
For best results always use cold water and a gentle cleanser - some gentle liquid face soaps
work well. Hand wash by dipping the fabric in and out of the sudsy water. Gently scrub with your
finger tips areas of heavy soil like the arm pits and the neck line.
* Never use bleaches, regular laundry cleansers, fabric softeners, or rinse additives.
After you have hand washed your dry clean only, garments roll them tightly in an absorbent
towel. Unroll the towel and move the garment to a dry part of the towel and roll again.
Continue until garment no longer feels drippy. It may take 2-5 rollings.
Never wring or twist your dry clean only garment - even when they are in the towel.
If the garment is stretchy like a sweater you will want to re-shape and dry flat on top of your
clothes drying rack . If it is made of real silk, wool or other natural animal fibers you should
place your rack out of the direct sun light.
Give your dry clean only garments a gentle shake - this separates the front from the back of the
material for faster drying time as well as removing any wrinkles caused by the rolling process.
Tops and dresses should be hung by the shoulders. Be sure to straighten the collars into
position you want them to dry in.
If it is a very windy day you may need to add a clothes pin or two to keep clothes on the rack. If
it is a rainy or very cold day you can hang your hand washables on the rack in your house. For
faster drying times, place the clothes near a register or a fan.
(see list below for items best taken to the professionals)
The success will depend on the type of fabric, how the garment is put together, the dyes used,
and the printing process used on the fabric. Also your hand laundering success is dependent
on the amount of dirt and stains on the fabric. (see our Stain Removal Guide )
For best results always use cold water and a gentle cleanser - some gentle liquid face soaps
work well. Hand wash by dipping the fabric in and out of the sudsy water. Gently scrub with your
finger tips areas of heavy soil like the arm pits and the neck line.
* Never use bleaches, regular laundry cleansers, fabric softeners, or rinse additives.
After you have hand washed your dry clean only, garments roll them tightly in an absorbent
towel. Unroll the towel and move the garment to a dry part of the towel and roll again.
Continue until garment no longer feels drippy. It may take 2-5 rollings.
Never wring or twist your dry clean only garment - even when they are in the towel.
If the garment is stretchy like a sweater you will want to re-shape and dry flat on top of your
clothes drying rack . If it is made of real silk, wool or other natural animal fibers you should
place your rack out of the direct sun light.
Give your dry clean only garments a gentle shake - this separates the front from the back of the
material for faster drying time as well as removing any wrinkles caused by the rolling process.
Tops and dresses should be hung by the shoulders. Be sure to straighten the collars into
position you want them to dry in.
If it is a very windy day you may need to add a clothes pin or two to keep clothes on the rack. If
it is a rainy or very cold day you can hang your hand washables on the rack in your house. For
faster drying times, place the clothes near a register or a fan.
Clothing items that are NOT safe to hand wash and are best taken to the dry cleaners:
- The garment is made from acetate fibers.
- It is a rayon garment. Rayon often shrinks – however it usually only shrinks once. So if
that dress is too big or long you could try hand washing it. Once its shrunk it is unlikely to
shrink again.
- There is a special finish on the garment, such as fabrics that are stiff. These may have a
stabilizing finish to maintain the stiffness.
- The garment is leather or suede.
- The garment is very special to you - and you would be sad if washing by hand changed
the garment in anyway.
| Please see our Laundry Tips and Clothes Washing Guide for more tips and ideas! |
| These handy tips are brought to you by the Best Drying Rack company, your source for the world's best clothes drying racks |
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