How to Wash ‘Dry Clean Only’ Clothes?

Dry cleaning is the bane of my life. It’s expensive, uses harsh chemicals on your clothing and the dry cleaners always seem to be closed after office hours! ‘Dry-clean-only’ on clothing labels used to be the ultimate deal breaker for me when I shopped for clothes.

How does dry cleaning work?

Anyway, "dry" merely refers to the omission of water and soap in the washing process. Your clothes still get wet, but solvents are used in place of water. So here’s a low-down on the process: First, the garment gets sorted by fabric, stain or colour. It’s then tossed into a large washing machine that swishes it in solvents instead of water that loosen the stains and dirt in the fabric.

For the dirt and gunk that are more stubborn, they will be spot cleaned after it’s out of the machine. While some items will always need this professional attention, many items of clothing can be successfully washed at home. You just need to be able to identify which ones won’t be damaged.

Can I wash ‘Dry Clean Only’ clothes?

The label ‘dry-clean-only’ is often slapped on by manufacturers as a precaution; what’s more important is the type of fabric your clothing is made of. Materials like cotton, linen, silk, wool, and polyester fabrics can usually be hand washed. Avoid washing velvet, suede, leather, fur, taffeta, feathers (includes down), and anything with significant or oil-based stains because they are too tricky to be dealt with at home. 

You can also do a spot test. How? Drip a small amount of water and detergent onto a small hidden portion of your garment then gently rub a cotton bud over the area. If the fabric dye stains the cotton bud, then it’s best that you send it to the dry cleaners. If it doesn’t and the garment doesn’t appear damaged after you’ve wet it, then it’s pretty safe to wash it at home. 

How to Wash ‘Dry Clean Only’ Clothes?

Washing “dry clean only” clothes at home can be done carefully with proper techniques to avoid damaging the fabric.

1. Check the Fabric Type

• Safe for Hand Washing: Wool, silk, cashmere, polyester, or some synthetic blends.
• Avoid Washing: Suede, leather, or heavily embellished garments. These should always be dry-cleaned.

2. Spot Cleaning First

Inspect the garment for small stains and treat them individually with a gentle stain remover or mild detergent. Dab the stain with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing, as this can damage delicate fabrics.

3. Hand Washing Instructions

• Fill a Basin: Use lukewarm or cold water. Add a small amount of mild detergent or specialty soap like Woolite, Eucalan, or baby shampoo.
• Submerge the Garment: Gently agitate it in the soapy water for 5–10 minutes. Avoid wringing or scrubbing.
• Rinse Thoroughly: Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cold water. Repeat until all soap residue is removed.

4. Machine Washing (For Sturdy ‘Dry Clean Only’ Items)

• Use a mesh laundry bag to protect the garment.
• Select a delicate or hand-wash cycle with cold water.
• Use a small amount of mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners.

5. Drying the Garment

• Do Not Wring: Gently press out excess water by laying the garment flat on a clean towel and rolling it up.
• Air Dry: Lay the garment flat on another dry towel or a drying rack in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Avoid hanging, as it can stretch the fabric.

6. Steaming or Ironing

Use a steamer or an iron with a low heat setting to remove wrinkles. For delicate fabrics, place a clean cloth between the iron and the garment.

Before you start, remember that dry-clean-only clothing should be treated with tender loving care. So don’t stretch or wring your garments during the process. If the garment is heavily stained, made of specialty fabrics like leather or suede, or has structural components (e.g., shoulder pads, linings), professional dry cleaning is recommended.

Part of this article was first published on Simply Her.