Great 'slash the cost of dry-cleaning' Hunt

will-in-estoril

My nearest branch of Morrisons with a dry cleaners' is 15 miles away.

Does anyone know of any other current offers?

belfastgirl23

Just found this really useful thread. I just found out that it will cost £40 to dry clean my suede coat which (similar to others) only cost £20 in the sales. The main problem is that under the arms is a bit whiffy, it looks pretty much okay. Any suggestions on what I can do about it? I'm guessing something with white vinegar might work but I'm not sure what proportion etc, I've only used it to rinse laundry, not applied direct. Ditto bicarb. Any advice very much appreciated.

ceridwen

Been reading with interest and taking notes.

Right - sounds like thats me sorted for jackets and coats. But I am still wondering if there is an alternative for raincoats - as in they need "reproofing" at the time they are drycleaned. Does anyone know of a way?

SunnyBrighton_2

Aha! Lakeland seem to have a DIY one in stock . am about to try it out, and will report back!

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!21276

rev229

tubster wrote: »

I have got a sofa with soft cotton covers, a kind of bleached out red colour. It is covered with food and snot stains from the kids and it is getting a bit embarassing! The covers come off but they say dry clean only. Someone has said I should try them in the washing machine on delicate cycle, but the clothes steamer also seems like a good idea - or a carpet steamer maybe? Any advice appreciated.

I have a terracotta loose covered sofa which we bought 9 years ago from DFS it was scotchguarded and we were told it was specialist cleaning only. We were persuated to take out insurace to cover any damage to the sofa (not very money saving). A year later we moved into a newly build home, we had the painters come back and repaint the lounge ceiling as they had not done it properly. They did move the sofas to another room and cover them , but somehow managed to get white paint all over both sofas. We contacted the specialist cleaning company and when he came out he said that the covers where machine washable, I quiried this with him and he showed me the care lable which was tucked down the side. Machine wash 30oc use non enzyme powder short spin refit while damp! In the end the covers where replaced by the painters (900.00) as the paint didn't was out. For the last 8 years I have machine washed the covers with delicate wash (wool and silk) persil or tescos own. They still look good and have not faded I dry them on the line inside out. We have for the last 3 years been looking for an excuse to replace the sofas so we can have brown leather. We have decided now by the time we come to buy the brown leather suite terracotta will be the new colour scheme again.:rotfl:

SunnyBrighton_2

Reporting back - I've just used the first sheet from the Lakeland pack - and it cleaned a dinner jacket brilliantly - rubbed the stains (food) with the cloth before putting it in the bag with the clothes, and the DJ came out like new! Brill.

I also did another tweedy jacket at the same time, and it was improved, but not as new, and the stains were more difficult to remove, but this is a teenager boy's jacket and the stains range from spray paint to permanent markers and goodness knows what else!! But then again the odd trip to the dry cleaners never got it looking like new again either - I think it's way past that - but it is now, with a quick press, quite acceptable!

Ok, I'm happy again! No more dry cleaners for me for a while!

Thomask

I have a 2 peice suit and a jacket which need dry cleaning.

Does anyone know the cheapest place in London, preferbaly around Camden Town, Kentish town way?

Not keen on Morrisons as only have 3 peices!

aurora_borealis_2

I have a suite that has about 18 separate covers to it. It would cost a fortune to be dry cleaned.

I'm going to try washing a small cushion cover in the shing machine - here's hoping.

jhodgel

red_ratty_rat wrote: »

Most designer clothes only have ‘dry clean only’ labels in to cover themselves nearly always they can be machine washed or worst hand washed. I put all my 100% Silk chiffon clothes in the wash and my cashmere cardigans on a hand wash cycle. :T

Just don’t machine wash wool or silk crepe!

I ruined 2 lovely cashmere jumpers and a wool suit jacket like this. Fortunly I discovered this before ruining my 3rd cashmere jumper. I now wash cashmere by hand in cold water and use woolite for delicates. No more accidents just a bit of a drag washing that is.

jhodgel

Austin_Allegro wrote: »

I can only speak about mens' tailored woolen, cotton and linen clothing, but I don't dry clean any clothes as it's expensive, unnecessary and can eventually damage the garments.

Although the process dates back to the 19th century it wasn't common to dry clean clothes in this country until the 1960s/70s and before that people brushed and steamed their clothes or used the sponge and press method:

Brushing and steaming: actually the process preferred by Savile Row tailors. Use a clothes brush on your clothes after every wear, and occasionally turn the garments inside out and brush them. Use a clothes steamer (you can get a good small one for about £30) as often as you like - the dirt rises out in the steam. Many charity shops use this process as it is quick and cheap, and also disinfects the clothes and kills moth larvae.

Sponge and press (wool/cotton/linen items): Lightly sponge the clothes all over to remove surface dirt. Place a damp cotton or linen cloth over the garment then press with a hot iron.

I have used these methods for years and my clothes certainly seem to look ok and don't smell or anything!

Where do I get a steamer from cheaply? as I now hand wash all my dry cleaning clothes and this seems like it might be a bit easiler than llllleaning over the sink/bath. How does the dirt raise out in the steam? don't get it thanks