| Author |
Message |
    
DrFalomar
Citizen
Username: Drfalomar
Post Number: 149
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2004 - 12:10 pm: | 
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Do you really have to dry clean things that say "dry clean only"? What must be dry cleaned and what, such as a wool sweater, can just go in the wash (and how, then, should it be washed and dried)? |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 936
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2004 - 12:37 pm: |
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Sometimes you can handwash things like that. Sometimes I take a chance and throw it in on the delicate cycle, as long as it's not really expensive. I use DRYEL too, even between dry cleanings, to freshen clothes up. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2432
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2004 - 1:02 pm: |
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It depends on the materials used. Some fabrics will shrink considerably when washed, even in cold water. Some dyes will run into each other, ruining the pattern in the fabric. Some ornamentation will come off in the wash, etc.
If in doubt, follow the label's instructions. If you do decide to launder a "dry only" garment, try washing just a small patch in a less visible portion of the garment such as a seam or hem to see what happens. Always hand wash in cold water using a mild soap such as Wool lite and dry flat away from direct sunlight. |
maaaa
Citizen
Username: Maaaa
Post Number: 103
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2004 - 1:36 pm: |
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If you're washing wool sweaters, unless it's specifically washable wool, don't agitate it in the washing machine at all, even on delicate. The agitation felts the wool and once it seizes up, there's no way to coax it back to its original size. Hand washing is best. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 159
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2004 - 2:05 pm: |
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Wool sweaters can usually be handwashed in cold water and detergent specially designated for fine washables, like Woolite. Squeeze the water out gently without twisting, roll the sweater in a towel to get out more water, and then air dry it flat, preferably on one of those mesh racks that are sold for that purpose in catalogs like Lillian Vernon. Don't put wool in your dryer; it'll shrink. |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 215
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 15, 2004 - 7:50 am: |
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If the label says "Dry clean only" I don't take a chance, if it only reads "Dry Clean" sometimes I'll risk it.
Warning to adventurous launderers: we have an impressive pile of felty sweaters, puckered blankets and lining-shrunk dresses in the dress-up trunk and rag pile which are casualties of my laundry escapades. |
DrFalomar
Citizen
Username: Drfalomar
Post Number: 150
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 15, 2004 - 8:38 am: |
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Thanks! |
clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 125
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 10:21 pm: |
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Similar question:
What does anybody know about this "wet cleaning" stuff?
http://www.miele.com/pressroom/news7.html
Gleason's has a big sign saying "ask us about our Miele wet cleaning system" so I did. They told me, only shirts & so forth go in, not wool pants or blazers, contrary to what is on Miele's web page.
Is that right?
Anybody ever use "Wet Cleaning" for their dry-clean only stuff? Where do they actually do it around here? |
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