Dry clean only?

researcher

Update:
thanks to this and the links to the older threads I decided to wash the skirt. I put it in the washing machine, on a silk wash using cold water. I placed the skirt, carefully folded into a laundry bag. I used liquid detergent (for wool and silk) and decided against conditioner. It was spun at 600 rpm.

The results are amazing! I've hung the skirt on a hanger to dry and it's perfectly clean without a crease and it looks like new. Many thanks to everyone :T

Outdoorlass

I bought an expensive dress to wear for a wedding a few weeks ago, it cost me £110 I have never in my life spent that much on one dress before, I have since lost a lot of weight and the dress is too big. I was going to sell it on Fleabay, but it needs dry cleaning, as OH knocked a glass of the fizzy stuff over me at the wedding:mad: It will cost about £20 to get it dry cleaned as its a full length dress, I don't really want to pay out that as I can't guarantee what it will sell for, soooo I was thinking I may be brave and throw it in the washing machine and hope for the best?

Would you risk it, has anyone else ever done this, good or bad results? Whats the best wash to put it on etc?

Thank you x

Rikki

Personally I would never wash anything that needs dry cleaning as it's prone to shrinking.

Wasn't there something you could put in the tumble drier for dry cleaning? Or did I imagine it

rising_from_the_ashes

Yup, I'd not tempt fate too with something so expensive that you're wanting to sell.

You can get sheets for the TD which come with a special sack thing that you pop the item into.

FelinePrincess

A few years ago I read a couple books about the fashion industry which covered all aspects on how clothes are made, labelled, ect..

It said that often clothes are marked as "dry clean only" as it's quicker and cheaper for the brand to do that instead of thoroughly testing the clothes to see how the last in the wash. The same goes for some "handwash items" too.

What type of material is the dress?

Kathy535

I have a dress that was dry clean only, I washed it in the washing machine on handwash and it was fine. BUT, I had some dry clean only trousers, did the same and they came out mishapen and 6" shorter. To save £20, you might end up losing £110. I guess it's a case of how much did you like the dress?

Coudn't you sell it on ebay and note on the description that it's marked and the mark should come out with dry cleaning? That would save you the hassle but you might have to sell it for less than you would if had if it was clean. Wedding dresses are advertised as needing a clean but I'm not sure how much it knocks off the price.

PasturesNew

It wasn't that long ago that launderettes had a dry clean machine.... shame they don't exist any more.

rinabean

Wash the stained area by hand, hang it up in the bathroom while someone takes a long hot shower or bath, then let it dry outside. It won't be totally washed but it won't be dirty and it will smell fresh. It would probably also be fine on the gentlest program your machine has, but I don't think I'd bet £110 on it.

Loanranger

My local launderette will dry clean things much cheaper than the dry clean shop. I now use the launderette when I need something dry cleaning. It's not DIY. They are at least as good as any dry cleaners.

But, I would wash this dress in the bath in almost cold water. No wringing, no rubbing just lay it flat in the bath with some shampoo. Stroke it!
Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Lift it up and allow the water to drain off it. Put it on a coat hanger and put it outside on the washing line to drip dry. Or hang it up from shower rail or shower cubicle.

eyor60

A tip from an ex dry cleaner. put your dress in some washing up liquid just a little then hangout on the line. drip dry it. You'll be amazed how much stuff will come out of it. I'll be interested how you get on