Washing Dry Clean Only Clothes

So many clothes say dry clean only, but are they really? Most items can be cleaned at home with great care. There are a number of dry cleaning alternatives available that can safely wash the majority of dry clean only fabrics right in your dryer. Some fabrics can even be washed in your washing machine with great care. Learn how to clean your dry clean only clothes at home with these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dryel or Dry Cleaners Secret
• Woolite
• Dry towels
• White paper towels

Washing Dry Clean Only Clothes

1. Examine the fabric you are dealing with. If you are working with angora, lined pants or suits, or 100 percent wool you will want to use a dry cleaning alternative such as Dryel or Dry Cleaners Secret. Immersing these fabrics in water can cause the item to shrink beyond repair. If you are working with a wool blend it can be washed with care in the washing machine.

2. Treat the stains with the stain remover provided by either Dryel or Dry Cleaners Secret. With Dryel you will use the absorbent pad underneath the stain. Dab the stain with the Dryel liquid stain remover to treat the stain. With Dry Cleaners Secret place a white paper towel underneath your stain. Use the spot cleaner cloth to blot up the stain.

3. Place up to two items of the same fabric in a Dryel bag or up to four items directly in the dryer.

4. Place the dry cleaning cloth in the Dryel bag and zip it up. Run the dryer on medium or high for 20 to 30 minutes. If you are using Dry Cleaners Secret place the dry cleaning cloth in the dryer and run on medium for 20 minutes.

5. Remove clothes from the dryer immediately. Hang as usual.

Using the Washing Machine

6. Place dry clean only wool blends in your washing machine and place the machine on the gentle cycle. Always use cold water.

7. Wash with Woolite for darks if a dark color or regular Woolite if a light color.

8. Remove from the washing machine and do not place in the dryer. You will want to dry the clothes by first placing them on a clean towel. Roll the towel to remove excess moisture from the clothes. Lay the clothes flat on a drying rack.

Tips & Warnings

• Alternate using an alternative dry cleaning method with an at-home dry cleaning product.
• If you are in doubt of whether you can clean an item at home it is best to air on the side of caution and take it to the dry cleaners.
• Some fabrics should not be immersed in water. Putting wool or angora in water will cause them to shrink.

Resources

• Dryel
• Dry Cleaners Secret