Dry clean only?

Mrs_A_4

My husband has a pair of black trousers that need cleaning before we go to a wedding on Saturday.
I can't afford dry cleaning.
Any ideas? I'm thinking maybe sponging the worst parts with a Stardrops solution, but any advice gratefully received!

lil_me

My partners dry clean only trousers I just put in washing machine on the delicates wash, never had any problems so far. However would do so at own risk.

Mrs_A_4

I thought of that, but for some reason worried they will shrink or twist. Dunno why, considering I chucked my sofa cushion covers in and they came out fine!
Might brave it... They aren't exactly expensive -Burton's finest!:cool:

Pink.

Hi Mrs A,

If you go for sponging the stains you could end up with water marks on the bits you've sponged. I'd try a very gentle handwash in cool water then let them drip dry but as you say there is a risk that they could shrink.

I hope you get them sorted and enjoy the wedding.

Pink

Mrs_A_4

Thanks for advice - bunged them in delicates wash with a dash of Stardrops (in case low temp didn't melt my Value powder!) and came out fab!

Dry clean only officially no longer exists (except for silk, or fancy bits... but not Burton trousers!):T

Penelope_Penguin

I have a beautiful red silk dress from Monsoon. Bought it for my sister's wedding about 10 years ago, and have worn it lots. It no longer owes me anything, and I wash it on a woolens wash and iron on cool, with no ill effects.

Penny x

lil_me

Oh crikey if you'd said they were Burtons before I would have just said throw them in the machine anyway, friend of mine was a manager for them and he used to advise all customers to do the same, he had dozens of pairs and never had one dry cleaned. He complained loads of times but they said it was the manufacturer who insisted on the DCO label.

Shelley84

Hi,

I have a pair of Wool and Polyester trousers from Next that say 'Professional Dry Clean Only'.

Of course, I'm not paying for Dry Cleaning. So any ideas of how to clean then at home without ruining them?

Thanks.

ClaireLR

Theres something you can buy now so that you can "dry clean" things yourself at home. I think it's like a bag that you put the item into and then place it in the tumble dryer for a certain amount of time. I haven't used them myself and I just googled but can't find anything on them

If they're not dirty as such and just need freshening up I would hang them on the line and give them a spray of a really diluted mix of vinegar/water and some essential oils myself.

HTH

Shelley84

Thanks.

I don't have a tumble dryer though.

Was thinking I could hang them up in the bathroom when I have a shower, sort of steam clean?!?!

Thery're not dirty really as I just sit in an office all day but they will need a clean every now and then!

Sunnyday

I think it depends on how big a risk you would like to take, i stopped taking clothes to the dry cleaners years ago and use the washing machine on the shortest coolest wash.
You could hand wash in luke warm water then use the machine for rinse and spin as well.
I`ve never spoilt anything but of course i could just have been lucky.
The wool mix trousers i have were only around 15% wool.
If you do go down this road then remember not to drip dry or dry on radiators, drip dry will stretch most delicates and the rads will help to shrink and mis-shape clothes that are delicate.
Dry on an airer and iron on the inside when almost dry.
Sounds like a lot of faffing about but i`ve always found it works for me.
HTH
SD