If you have items that you have been dry cleaning (say, a silk blouse), a way to rejuvenate them is to wash them by hand. That will freshen them up by removing cleaning fluid buildup and make the whites white.
Source: My Mother
By pam munro from L.A., CA
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
What if the care label says dry clean only? Can I safely soak in milk and then wash them?
What is the item? I have had good success hand washing in a bucket wool "dry clean only" skirts and sweaters. A drop of Tide or Woolite and cold water, swish. Sit for a few minutes, rinse in cold water. Lay flat to dry. Silks and rayons I have had almost no luck with as they wrinkle too much and I have no patience to iron.
Milk can stain and cause terrible smells in most fabrics (in my experience being a clumsy person) so soaking it in milk would be a total NO to me. I spilled milk once on a sweater and it took multiple washings to get that sour, disgusting smell out of it.
If you want to save money and clean your clothes at home they have special dry cleaning kits that you can buy to wash your own clothes. They also have a special dryer sheet that is possible to use to steam the clothes in your dryer. You can try this to save money.
What is methyl chloroform and can it be used for spots and stains?
I did a search for Trichloroethane or methyl chloroform. The most important information is that it is a nervous system depressant, among many other problems, and causes ozone depletion. Use as a solvent has been almost phased out all over the Earth. You can try further research and this very helpful site:
en.wikipedia.org/
I just purchased a white 100% cotton sweater that has a red heart in the middle with dry clean only instructions. Do you think it is possible to wash the sweater by itself? I am trying to decide whether I should return item.
Can you wash a men's robe that says Dry Clean Only? The contents are 80 percent polyester and 20 percent acrylic?
By Pat
I have washed several 'dry clean only' items in the past. I just always used the delicate or hand wash cycle, and cold water. You do run the risk of ruining the time though.
If it has a sash, you can try that. Put it in a lingerie bag, or if you don't have one, tie it up in an old pillow case, and give it a try. Just don't put it in the dryer. If the sash comes out okay, you can probably do the robe.
Good luck to you!
I just bought a lovely pair of Ann Taylor slacks at a Thrift Store. I didn't think to check the care label. It says "Dry Clean Only". The fabric is 91% triacetate, and 29% polyester. Can triacetate be hand-washed?
By VBartlett from Columbus, IN
I have quite a few things that say dry clean only. I have one word for you, cold water. That is the most important cleaning part for dry clean only clothes.
You most certainly can! Just use cold water, gentle washing liguid and, as was already mentioned, lay flat to dry or you can hang on a proper hanger in a pinch. Triacetate is shrink resistant, wrinkle resistant, easily washed and maintains pleat retention. If you do need to iron be sure to put the heat setting of the iron on medium and use a thin white cotton cloth between the slacks and the iron to protect the fabric from iron marks and/or melting.
Wendy Calbers advice:
She is very accurate. My family has been involved in dry cleaning for over 40 years. There are many different cleaning solvents now, and perc is not being used in many newer cleaners.
Forget dry cleaners. I have not been for years. Think about the finer fabrics, wool, linen, silk, cashmere. They were all invented before dry cleaning. I do all of the above on the delicate cycle. For silk, roll up the item and store in the freezer until ready to iron It is actually the ironing and pressing that is the challenge. But there is a system for getting a professional look. I will post that another time. Think of the chemicals you are keeping out of your life if you do it yourself.
Can I carefully hand wash a dress made of 60% linen, 30% viscose, and 16% elastane?
Thank you.
I have an ivory white pant suit that has yellowed badly, how do I clean it? The long sleeve jacket is 100% linen, with a white silk lining, and the pants are 60% linen and 40% rayon.
I have put them in the cleaners, and nothing. It says dry clean only but, that is not helping at all. Please help me.How can I dry clean a cotton dress at home?
By madhavi from Thane
Why would you want to dry clean a cotton dress? Are you afraid of shrinkage? wash it like you normally would anything cotton, use delicate cycle or hand wash, hang to dry, do not put in dryer. I was everything in the washing machine, it doesn't matter if it says dry clean only, then I hang it to dry, and iron it.
I have some dresses that require dry cleaning. I would like to know how to do that work in home conditions?
By marita from Shkoder, Albania
Depends upon the piece of clothing. Many silk pieces are marked "dry clean only" when you can actually hand wash them carefully. If your jackets/sweaters/coats need freshening up, try Febreze or a similar fabric spray.
Another suggestion - check into the "Dryel" product (I believe it is a Procter and Gamble product) that you can buy at the grocery store or discount store and use in your dryer. I've not used it for any kind of set-in stains, but it works well for refreshing and de-wrinkling "dry clean only" garments at home.
