Do You Really Need to Dry Clean It?
Last updated November 2023
That outfit was expensive enough—do you really have to add to its cost by paying for drycleaning?
If you learn a few tricks (and read care labels closely), the answer is “maybe not.” Here are some ways to DIY your drycleaning loads without ending up with a closetful of shrunken, ruined fashion don’ts.
Read That Label
Most clothing manufacturers are required to list only one way to clean a garment. If the tag reads “Dryclean only,” respect that as sartorial gospel. If it says “Dry clean,” that’s the recommended cleaning method, but you might be able to DIY.
Fussy Fabrics
Materials that spot or shrink when washed with water should go to the pros. That includes silk and, unless the label reads otherwise, acetate, velvet, taffeta, and many wool items. Heavier-weight wool fabrications (tweeds, gabardines) will shrink when exposed to warm water.
You usually can hand- or machine wash cashmere, linen, cotton, and polyester. But test for colorfastness first by wetting a Q-tip with mild soap and dabbing it on a hidden spot. If you see color on the swab, take it to the cleaners.
Linings, Trims, and Such
That cute Chanel-ish tweed jacket? While the wool tweed exterior is probably good to go for hand washing, its nylon/silk/whatever lining might not be. And because the two types of fabrics could shrink, wrinkle, or bleed in different ways, you could ruin the item if you DIY. Similarly, leave leather- or bead-trimmed stuff to the pros. And leather, unless it’s washable (yes, it’s a thing), should always go to the cleaners.
Washing Ways
If the label on a delicate garment reads “Machine wash, gentle cycle,” it’s okay to do just that. To cut down on potential wear and tear, turn the piece inside out, put it in a mesh bag, and run it on a short delicate wash.
For hand washing, always use cold water to prevent shrinking or bleeding. Dissolve a small amount of liquid hand-wash soap in H20, then gently wash your sweater or whatever. After that, gently push out water (never wring or twist) and lay the garment flat on a white towel to air dry.
DIY Drycleaning Kits
Stores sell several brands of at-home drycleaning kits, including Dryel and Woolite Dry Care. They usually contain a stain-removing agent you use to attack spots, plus fabric-freshening sheets you then toss into the dryer with your pretreated garment.
These kits won’t be as effective at removing stains or cleaning clothes as a pro cleaner. And your clothes dryer can’t do the kind of crisp pressing a drycleaner can. Try the kits to keep your sweaters smelling sweet, but take seriously dirty or stained items to the shop.
