Do you dry clean everything labeled Dry Clean Only, or do you hand wash some items like I do? Is this bad?

Answer 1

I'm just not sure why vauauhnhill or whatever his name is told you to try another website. I think your question is perfectly fine on Yahoo! answers.

Anyway, I machine wash most of my dry clean only clothes on the "handwash" setting and they turn out fine. I do take the nicer clothes to the dry cleaners, though.

Answer 2

I read the labels: check the fabric content and the clothing construction (does it have a taffeta lining or pleats) and decide for myself.

All wool blankets, suits, jackets, coats, and lined slacks (unless polyester lined), things with pleats, acrylics I take to the cleaners. For other things I handwash with Woolite and hang to drip dry on plastic hangers with the sleeves (if any) flopped over opposite shoulder.

Sweaters and clothing with fancy buttons & stuff, I prefer to wash myself. Unless the dry cleaners remove them before they clean the garment, some of those fashion items (not dry cleanable) can be damaged.

With woolens, only use Woolite, handle very gently when wet because the fiber loses its strength in water. Don't agitate, press gently in your tub. When you rinse, gently squeeze (don't wring) out some water and move garment over to big bath towels & roll it up like a sushi, put a plastic bag over it, put it on a chair or your steps & sit on it to squeeze out all water you can, then carefully hang to drip dry couple of days.

Silk wrinkles like crazy: if you wash it, you have got to like ironing. That's been my experience anyway.

Answer 3

I only Dry-Clean wool items that my husband will shrink, and delicate things I think I'll ruin. Other than that, I jump right in!!

Answer 4

It is safe to wash anything but Silk and Wool. You can wash silk, but its alot of trouble to iron. Anything that says dryclean only, I would steam press it only. You can take your cloths to the cleaners and have them pressed only.

Answer 5

Sometimes manufacturers protect themselves by cautious labelling...if your items are ok, I wouldn't worry.

Answer 6

I do the same thing, I hardly ever take anything to the cleaners.

Answer 7

handwash, if possible.......... too expensive to dry clean

Answer 8

Try the forums at http://www.suburbangarden.com/ they are geared more toward this type of questions