Should I Dry Clean Clothes Myself?

It’s late. Your dress is dirty but you need it for tomorrow morning’s work meeting. Is there any way that you can dry clean clothes at home? Many clothing manufacturers conservatively label delicate items as “dry clean only” to prevent customers from accidentally damaging them. Turns out though, you can actually dry clean your clothes at home if you can’t make it to the cleaners – or just want to save some money. Keep reading to learn how to keep your belongings in pristine condition. 

How to Wash Dry Clean Only Clothes

1. Being with a sink full of cold water and a gentle laundry detergent. 
2. Wash the garment by itself. You will want to test your home dry cleaning method before adding additional items. Make sure to pay extra attention to areas where you sweat the most, such as the armpits and collar. 
3. After scrubbing your clothing, let it soak. 
4. Rinse in cold water until there is no more soap. 
5. If you are planning to use the washing machine, use the gentle cycle. You will also want to make sure to separate your darks, colors, and whites before starting the load so colors don’t bleed on each other. 

What to Wash

Fabrics that are simply constructed, unlined, and made of natural fibers (cotton, linen, and silk), as well as polyester, can be washed by hand or in cold water in a machine. If you want to help reduce wear on the garments, try placing them into a mesh bag before washing. 

Before washing reds and other deep colors, you will first need to test for colorfastness by wetting a small inconspicuous area of the garment with several drops of water and pressing with a white cloth or a cotton swab. If the color bleeds, take it to a professional dry cleaner. 

What Not to Wash

Clothing that is made from delicate fabrics, such as rayon, silk, or wool, should be left to the professionals. Each of these fabrics tend to lose their shape in water. Any suede or leather garments, as well as those with beading, sequins, or metal embellishments, will require special care also. If you are dealing with heavily soiled garments, especially those with oil-based stains, should be taken to a professional dry cleaner, who should be able to remove them with specialized solvents. 

How to Treat Bad Stains and Odors

If your clothing has a bad stain or odor, vinegar is one of the best solutions. Soak the garment in cold water and half a cup of vinegar for 30 minutes to help prep it. Once prepped, gently rub the area with your fingers to break up the fibers in the garment. If the stain is not coming off, turn the garment inside out and apply a small amount of vinegar directly to the area. Wash normally using the steps above. 

Another great solution for removing stains is baking soda. Mix ¼ cup of warm water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 1 to 2 hours before washing. 

How to Properly Dry Your Clothes

Never use the dryer on your “dry clean only” clothes. You will want to avoid any excess heat. If the garment is woven, you can hang it up to dry. However, if you are washing a knit garment, make sure to lay it flat to dry to prevent stretching. Once the item is mostly dry but still slightly damp to the touch, it is ready to be steamed. If you don’t have a steamer, you can use an iron. 

Contact Hanger’s Cleaners Today

Whether you are in need of more time or just want to avoid the hassle of laundry, our team of professionals at Hangers Cleaners is here to help. From dry cleaning services to wet services, alterations, pressing clothes, and many more, Hangers Cleaners has got you covered! We know that life can get busy – that’s why we offer free dry cleaning delivery and pickup for all of our customers! Call us at 501-227-8500 to schedule services for all of your laundry needs today.