How to Wash ‘Dry Clean’ Clothes at Home
How, When, & Why to Wash ‘Dry Clean’ Clothes at Home
Dry Cleaning: Bad For Your Health + the Environment
Did you know you can wash ‘dry clean’ clothing at home? Opting to hand wash clothing is not only better for the environment, but it is also better for your health. 85 percent of dry cleaners use perchloroethylene (or PERC, for short) in the dry cleaning process. PERC has been identified as a “probable” human carcinogen and is a known neurotoxin. The EPA found elevated levels of PERC throughout people’s homes who dry clean their clothing, particularly in rooms where the dry-cleaned clothing is stored. In addition to being bad for our health, it is bad for the environment that can leach into our communities and ecosystems. According to Popular Science, “a single spilled drop can push through the concrete foundations of a dry cleaning facility, past layers of rock and soil, all the way down to groundwater reservoirs.”
Although we can all strive to purchase clothes that don’t need to be dry cleaned, we still need to properly care for the ‘dry clean’ clothing that we currently own. (Wearing what you have in your closet is an important pillar of sustainability). Likely, a number of the dry clean pieces that you own can actually be cared for at home.
‘Dry Clean’ vs. ‘Dry Clean Only’
If you look at clothing labels you will note there are two types of dry clean labels: ‘Dry clean’ and ‘dry clean only.’ Clothes labeled ‘dry clean’ can likely be laundered at home either by hand washing or in the washing machine on the delicate or hand wash cycle. ‘Dry clean only’ indicates that it must be cared for by a professional.
DRY CLEAN: You can likely wash this at home.
DRY CLEAN ONLY: Leave ‘dry clean only’ labels to the professionals.
What Fabrics Cannot Be Washed at Home?
There are certain fabrics that you cannot wash at home. If the fabric is on the list below, you should NOT attempt to do it yourself. The following fabrics should always be handled by a dry cleaning professional. However, if the fabric type is not on this list, but says “dry clean only” you should always follow the garment’s care instructions.
Viscose (some Rayons): It will shrink. Do not wash it at home unless it is marked on the tag that you can do so.
Polyamide: It will expand.
Structured and Pleated Clothing: Examples would include pleated skirts and pants, structured jackets, blazers or coats, neckties etc.
Leather, Suede, and Fur: Unless it is marked washable, do not wash it.
Silk: Some silk garments cannot be washed at home and their construction will not survive home washing. Follow the label to ensure you do not ruin the piece.
Pieces with decorative embellishments: Garments with detailed embroidery or beading are likely best suited for professional care.
Tough stains on ‘dry clean’ items: Even if the label doesn’t say ‘dry clean only’, if you’ve got a tough stain on a ‘dry clean’ item, it will likely be best to have it taken care of by the dry cleaner.
Again, always take ‘dry clean only’ labels seriously and leave them to the pros.
How to Wash ‘Dry Clean’ Clothing At Home
When washing ‘dry clean’ items at home, you will want to be sure to agitate the clothing as little as possible. You can opt to hand wash or wash gently in your washing machine.
Hand Washing: Before washing, turn your garment inside out. Fill your sink or a large bowl with cold water and a small amount of eco-friendly gentle laundry detergent or baby shampoo. Place the piece of clothing in the water and agitate it ever so gently so the garment can be cleaned. Then pour out the sudsy water and replace with cold clean water. Dip item and gently move item until it is free of soap. It’s important to note that you have a little bit more control when hand washing, but be sure not to rub, scrub or pull on the fabric to avoid damage.
Machine Washing: Before washing, turn your garment inside out and place it in a delicates bag by its self. Place the delicates bag in the washing machine on without any other clothing in the wash, and use a small amount of eco-friendly gentle laundry detergent. You will want to wash the garment with cold water on the delicate or hand wash cycle and the lowest spin cycle.
Drying: Depending upon the garment type either hang dry or lie flat on a towel. Hang drying has a higher chance of stretching the heavy wet fabric so unless it is small and light, lying it flat may be your best bet. If the item is heavy and dripping wet, you can lay the piece of clothing on a towel and gently roll up the towel with the clothing inside to squeeze out some of the excess water.
What Do the Laundry Symbols Mean?
Some garment care labels don’t have written instructions and can leave you confused by their symbols. Download this handy laundry symbols guide to hang in your laundry room to confirm that you are caring for your clothes correctly.
Printable Laundry Symbols Poster
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