Can acetate material be hand-washed?

Question

rather than dry-cleaned?

Answer 1

It can, but be careful to use a light duty soap,

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose_acetate
"Fiber Properties
Acetate is a very valuable manufactured fiber that is low in cost and has good draping qualities. Properties of acetate have promoted it as the “beauty fiber”[1]. Acetate is used in fabrics such as satins, brocades, and taffetas to accentuate luster, body, drape and beauty.

Hand: soft, smooth, dry, crisp, resilient
Comfort: breathes, wicks, dries quickly, no static cling
Drape: linings move with the body linings conform to the garment
Color: deep brilliant shades with atmospheric dyeing meet colorfastness requirements
Luster: light reflection creates a signature appearance
Performance: colorfast to perspiration staining, colorfast to dry cleaning, air and vapor permeable
Tenacity: weak fiber with breaking tenacity of 1.2 to 1.4 g/d; rapidly loses strength when wet; must be dry cleaned
Environmentally friendly: made from wood pulp of reforested trees
Abrasion: poor resistance
Heat retention: poor thermal retention; no allergenic potential (hypoallergenic)
Dyeability: (two methods) cross-dying method where yarns of one fiber and those of another fiber are woven into a fabric in a desired pattern; solution-dying method provides excellent color fastness under the effects of sunlight, perspiration, air contaminants and washing [1,2]

Acetate usually requires dry cleaning."

I would think that you could clean it with warm soapy water, using only dish soap though. The problem is that a cleaner like Windex can dull it.

According to: http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-clean-synthetic-fabrics.htm

"Acetate

Acetate is made from cellulose and has a silklike appearance. It is closely related to rayon and has good body and drapes well. Taffeta, satin, crepe, brocade, and double knits often contain acetate. It is not very absorbent or colorfast and loses its strength when it is wet.

If the care label specifies that the article is washable, hand-wash it carefully in warm water, using a light-duty detergent.

Do not soak colored items or wash them with white articles.

Line-dry acetate away from heat or direct sunlight.

Press acetate at the coolest setting, on the wrong side, while the article is damp.

Nail polish remover and perfumes will permanently damage acetate."

Answer 2

Washing Acetate Fabric

Answer 3

Freeze your jeans then when the gum is frozen solid you can just pick it straight off. This only works if you have not washed your jeans