First and foremost, always adhere to the care recommendations provided on the garment's label.
That tiny tag on your beloved sweater is there to assist you give your prized possession the attention it deserves by following the label's recommended washing procedures.
What follows is a list of materials that, in most cases, need to be dry cleaned by a professional service, and those that can be handled in your home washing machine.
It would be great if you could just throw your filthy clothes into the washing machine.
But not all fabrics are the same, and some need special attention that neither hand nor machine washing can supply.
We should all do our best to minimise the amount of time and money spent on laundry.
However, washing and drying delicate items isn't always enough.
One of the numerous ways to extend the life of your favourite clothes is to have them washed at a dry cleaner.
While taking your clothes to a professional cleaner is a terrific option, you should be aware that not all garments can be cleaned there.
A garment's care instructions—washing vs dry cleaning—depend on the fabric.
If you use the wrong chemicals or clean your favourite fur coat, silk dress, or linen shirt with the wrong approach, you might destroy the quality of the fabric and reduce its lifespan.
To help you save both time and money, this article will provide some guidelines for determining whether to bring in the pros to clean your belongings.
DRY CLEANING 101
Without the need for soap and water, dry cleaning can clean your garments thoroughly.
Maybe you're wondering how dry cleaning operates right about now.
Despite common assumptions, this is not a dry procedure.
Perchlorethylene (perc) is the most common chemical solvent used for this process.
Fabrics are plunged and soaked in the liquid. Trichloroethane and petroleum fluids are two other solvent choices.
Perc has been used for years as a go-to dry cleaning solution, but it's important to remember that it's still a volatile organic solution that, if exposed to in unsafe amounts, can cause health problems.
People with allergies may develop irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes whenever exposed to even small amounts of solvent vapours.
Dry washing at home requires the use of safety equipment such as a face mask and gloves.
What Do the Symbols on Garment Care Labels Mean?
Don't rush to snip off those irritating laundry tags. There is a reason for their existence!
Use them as a reference while washing your clothes to keep them in good condition for as long as possible.
If you look closely enough at these labels, what do you see?
The care labels on your clothing tell you how to wash and dry it correctly for the fabric it was made from.
Bleach, wash, iron, dry, and dry clean are the five standard symbols for laundering clothing.
Combining symbols into a comprehensive laundry manual is possible.
What Gets Delivered to the Laundry
Fabrics That are Embellished
Washing clothes with sequins, beads, or metal studs is a bad idea because these embellishments are usually hand-stitched on or dangling by a thread.
Send your embellished items to the dry cleaners for a thorough cleaning that will preserve the fine detailing.
Your suede fringed dress and straw sun hat need the best care possible, just like the rest of your wardrobe.
To prevent your hat's colour from fading, store it in a cold, dry place instead of leaving it in the sun and wiping it down with a damp cloth whenever it gets dirty, dusty, or stained with sweat.
It may be challenging to maintain the embellishments on the outfit.
Elements like fringes and sequins should be washed by hand in a mild detergent, while embroidered items can be washed in the washing machine on the delicate cycle with the help of a mesh laundry bag.
Silks of a Dark Hue
While it's true that some silks can handle a good hand wash, deeper colours often bleed and discolour whatever they come into contact with.
In order to see if the silk can be cleaned at home, wet a tiny area and wipe it clean with a white clean towel.
Silk fabrics are made from robust, naturally-occurring fibres that only partially absorb the colours required to colour them.
It will lose its colour and become distorted if you wash it along with soap and water.
Silk should be dry cleaned so that the colours will not fade and the fabric won't get ruined.
Suits
Dry cleaning is the next step after spot cleaning, especially for wool suits. It will extend the life of your suit and help it retain its pristine appearance for years to come.
Clothes With Pleatings
If a garment has pleating, it must be taken to the laundry mat. Your folds and pleats will be preserved, and most dry cleaners even have re-pleating machines to save those that have faded.
Clothing with Extreme Stains
No amount of dirt or grime will be too much for a dry cleaner to remove from your comforter. Your local dry cleaner is equipped with strong solvents, soaps, and degreasers, and they have been trained in the art of removing seemingly intractable stains.
Materials That Are Fragile or Artificial
Even if the care label says it's okay to hand wash, heat tends to shrink synthetic materials like rayon and chiffon, so it's best to have a professional handle them.
Wearables With an Internal Layer
Dresses, jackets, skirts, and so on should all be dry cleaned as a general rule of thumb because they are lined. Linings are often damaged by water, therefore only have a professional launder your lined items.
Suede and leather
You could probably get away with washing it in the washing machine at home, but for the sake of your leather jacket, I'd recommend taking it to a dry cleaner instead.
You shouldn't be concerned about significant shrinking, and there will be less of a possibility of the cloth cracking or drying out.
Suede is an exclusive kind of leather typically made from sheepskin, cowhide, or goatskin.
Suede is not just costly but also quite high maintenance. It is easily damaged by exposure to light or water, and it must be cleaned with care to avoid damage from chemical solutions.
The best way to ensure that your suede is well-cared for and well-maintained is to have it dry cleaned by experts who use non-toxic chemicals.
The care instructions for a leather garment are usually very specific and should be followed to the letter.
Cleaning leather with a dry cleaner is only recommended for really stubborn stains, such as ink or oil.
Furs
Even though there's a lot of back and forth over whether or not it's ethical to wear fur, you shouldn't wash your fur at home if it has a skin backing but since skin will dry and shrink.
Further, antique furs (such as fur coats or fox scarves) are extremely fragile and, over time, can dry up and become brittle, so only a trained expert should handle them.
Rayon
What's your experience with rayon? In contrast to the natural fibres discussed above, this one raises some eyebrows because it is partially manufactured.
It's made of bleached cellulose fibres, therefore it may run if washed in hot water.
It will get flatter and more shrivelled as a result of this.
Cleaning service is the most reliable method, however hand washing in ice water with a light detergent is acceptable as well.
Although it may appear to be made entirely of natural cellulose fibres, rayon is only partially natural.
It's likely to get smaller and lose shape over time.
Dye bleeding is possible with both hand and machine washing.
As a result, having rayon dry cleaned is typically prefered to getting it wet cleaned.
If you care about the condition of your clothes, steam cleaning is a great alternative.
The great quality of the treatment will safeguard your expensive belongings from harm in the future.
Fabrics You Can Clean It Yourself
Cloths Made of Linen and Cotton
These textiles can go through the washing machine as long as they are not decorated. Due to the fact that hot water has the potential to speed up the fading process, we recommend using cold water instead.
Various Types of Fine-Haired Wool, Including Cashmere
Soft natural fibres like mohair and cashmere are best washed by hand at home rather than subjected to the harsh chemicals used in the dry cleaning process.
If you want your delicates to last as long as possible, wash them in cool water and use a gentle detergent (or even shampoo).
Note: It's not wise to soak something in hot water just because it says it can be machine washed; the heat will fade the colours.
You can use ordinary detergent on either hot or cold water to wash cotton.
Even while it's acceptable to machine wash synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon in warm water on the gentle or continuous press cycle, you still need to be careful not to permanently crease them when drying them.
Luxury items, such as cashmere blends, should be cleaned by hands in cool or lukewarm water with a mild detergent.
The cloth could be damaged if you wring it.
To prevent the garment from losing its shape when drying, lay it flat or utilize a mesh drying rack.
Laundering an item at home can be made to look like it was hand washed by placing it in a laundry hamper and running it through the machine on the gentlest setting if you're short on time.
Synthetic Fibres
Strong synthetic knits like nylon, acrylic, and polyester can be washed successfully by hand or in the washing machine using the delicate cycle and cold water.
Don't forget to hang or lie flat to dry to prevent wrinkles.
Silks of a Light Colour
Most silks with light colours can also be washed by hand in the sink at home without risk of damage, provided they don't bleed (testing instructions are up top).
Nonetheless, as is customary, expert assistance should be sought out if uncertainty persists.
Denim
When you take your denim jeans to the laundry mat, they often come back starchy and unduly wrinkled.
Washing your jeans in the washing machine is a great option if you know they can handle it.
Denim should be washed with a colour scheme detergent in lukewarm water for 45 minutes with the garment turned inside out before being rinsed in cold water and dried on a clothesline.
Denim is not a fabric that can be placed through the dryer's wringer and come out looking like new.
Denim is a hardy material, yet it requires special attention to stay in good shape.
While most pairs of jeans are best cleaned inside and out in cool water and dried on a clothesline, certain pairs of high-end denim may benefit from being dry cleaned.
Raw denim, which refers to undistressed denim, should not be washed. A moist cloth will remove most stains, but if the problem persists, professional aid might be sought.
If Unsure, Seek the Advice of the Professionals
Even if your local dry cleaner lacks the equipment or expertise to handle your garment, they probably know of a reliable speciality cleaner in the area who can.
It's important to see an expert if you're unsure whether or not a particular item of clothing has to be dry cleaned because there's no easy way to ensure the longevity of delicate materials.
Knowing how to dry clean properly and what fabrics can withstand the process is important.
However, the care label usually indicates how the clothing should be washed. If a garment doesn't have a label indicating how to care for it, you may always give the laundry service in your area a call.
So that you know what to expect when bringing in goods for cleaning, they will give you some broad advice on caring for various textiles.
Before bringing garments to the dry cleaner, it's always smart to check in with them.
Some dry cleaners are picky about the fabrics they'll clean, the way you should fold your clothes, and other details to follow to get your clothes back in pristine condition.
MyDressBox is are wedding dress cleaning and preservation specialists servicing all major cities in Australia and New Zealand, including Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong, Geelong and many more.
Conclusion
Not all fabrics are created equal, and some need specific care that can't be provided by either hand or machine washing.
When dry cleaning at home, it's important to take precautions like wearing a mask and gloves. Inhaling even trace amounts of solvent vapours might irritate the respiratory tract and eyes of people with respiratory allergies.
Clothes should be washed and dried according to the instructions on the care labels. In the laundry world, there are five universal icons for bleaching, washing, ironing, drying, and dry cleaning.
Fringes and sequins are examples of embellishments that should be washed by hand using a gentle detergent.
The laundry mat is where you should take your pleated clothes.
A dry cleaner has powerful cleaning agents including soaps, solvents, and degreasers at their disposal.
Synthetic fabrics like rayon and chiffon tend to shrink when exposed to heat, so it's better to have a professional deal with them.
Despite its natural appearance, rayon is only partially made from natural cellulose fibres.
Experts suggest using cold water as hot water may hasten the fading process.
Mohair and cashmere are two examples of luxurious natural fibres that are best washed by hand in a domestic setting.
When cleaning cashmere blends or other high-end fabrics by hand, it's best to use cool or lukewarm water and a gentle detergent.
Washing synthetic knitwear by hand or in the washing machine with the delicate cycle and cold water is usually a safe bet.
Denim that has not been pre washed is considered "raw" and should not be washed.
Most stains may be removed with a damp cloth, but if the problem persists, you may want to call in the experts.
When it comes to the textiles and care instructions they provide, some dry cleaners can be finicky.
Content Summary
- What follows is a list of materials that, in most cases, need to be dry cleaned by a professional service, and those that can be handled in your home washing machine.
- One of the numerous ways to extend the life of your favourite clothes is to have them washed at a dry cleaner.
- While taking your clothes to a professional cleaner is a terrific option, you should be aware that not all garments can be cleaned there.
- A garment's care instructions—washing vs dry cleaning—depend on the fabric.
- Without the need for soap and water, dry cleaning can clean your garments thoroughly.
- The care labels on your clothing tell you how to wash and dry it correctly for the fabric it was made from.
- Bleach, wash, iron, dry, and dry clean are the five standard symbols for laundering clothing.
- Send your embellished items to the dry cleaners for a thorough cleaning that will preserve the fine detailing.
- You could probably get away with washing it in the washing machine at home, but for the sake of your leather jacket, I'd recommend taking it to a dry cleaner instead.
- The best way to ensure that your suede is well-cared for and well-maintained is to have it dry cleaned by experts who use non-toxic chemicals.
- Cleaning leather with a dry cleaner is only recommended for really stubborn stains, such as ink or oil.
- It's made of bleached cellulose fibres, therefore it may run if washed in hot water.
- Although it may appear to be made entirely of natural cellulose fibres, rayon is only partially natural.
- Dye bleeding is possible with both hand and machine washing.
- As a result, having rayon dry cleaned is typically prefered to getting it wet cleaned.
- If you care about the condition of your clothes, steam cleaning is a great alternative.
- You can use ordinary detergent on either hot or cold water to wash cotton.
- Don't forget to hang or lie flat to dry to prevent wrinkles.
- Washing your jeans in the washing machine is a great option if you know they can handle it.
- Even if your local dry cleaner lacks the equipment or expertise to handle your garment, they probably know of a reliable speciality cleaner in the area who can.
- However, the care label usually indicates how the clothing should be washed.
- If a garment doesn't have a label indicating how to care for it, you may always give the laundry service in your area a call.
- Before bringing garments to the dry cleaner, it's always smart to check in with them.
FAQS ABOUT DRY CLEANING
What are 3 types of dry cleaning?
There are three distinct subsets within the dry cleaning market: coin-operated laundromats, commercial laundromats, and industrial cleaners. Most laundromats that offer "self-service" dry cleaning to customers also feature coin-operated facilities. The solvents used in dry washing machines that accept coins are always synthetic.
What temperature is dry cleaning?
Heat drying: Dry cleaning is heat dried and/or heat pressed at temperatures up to 220 degrees, which is hot enough to kill known viruses. Drying should kill any remaining germs that were not eliminated by washing with hot water, using soap, and applying disinfectant.
Can dry cleaning remove stains?
Dry cleaning is useful for removing petroleum and oil stains because it may break down the greasy residues left behind by these spills. Keep in mind that water treatments on greasy stains might damage the fabric, so it's important to confirm that the dry cleaner you choose doesn't employ wet cleaning procedures.
Why is it called dry cleaning?
In spite of the term, dry cleaning gets its moniker from the fact that it often does not include the use of any liquid detergents or water. Dry cleaning is meant to get the dirt out of clothes without damaging the fibres. This is achieved by employing a cleaning solvent in place of traditional soap and water.
Why do clothes need to be dry cleaned?
When you dry clean, you're protecting your clothes from the wear and tear of a washing machine and dryer, which can cause them to shrink, distort, change textures, and even fade or disappear altogether.