Washing 'dry clean only' clothes?

maman

I'd say it depends on how old the clothes are and/or how long before they'll need doing again.


So my silk dresses which I've had for years and so had my moneysworth from I now wash by hand. My cream sofa covers which I've had so long they're falling apart go in the machine on a cool wash.


My winter coat I pay to get cleaned as the 'cost per wear' (it's black) is relatively cheap.


P.S. I also check labels and try not to buy dry clean only unless it's something like a wool coat.

mum2one

apologies useless with quotes (so done a copy and paste)

Mamam - P.S. I also check labels and try not to buy dry clean only unless it's something like a wool coat.


A thought re any future purchases, - if the item is dry clean only, try to avoid buying anything that is red or from the red family (going by past events), we couldn't pretreat anything red as it would have taken the colour out xx

Pollycat

honeythewitch wrote: »

I am pretty sure you can wash all of them on a normal wash, as long as the water is stone cold to prevent the viscose and cotton shrinking, and don't tumble.

I've washed lots of 'dry clean only' items in my machine, including several macs.

It has a 'delicate' setting that lasts for 30 minutes but is very gentle, just a tumble now and then.
Default temperature is 30C and it doesn't spin but I spin after the wash program has finished at the lowest setting 600 speed.

I also use Fairy non-bio laundry liquid for all my delicates.

If your coats have some sort of showerproof/waterproof protection, you're probably better not using fabric conditioner as that may spoil the protection.

I've only had one failure and that was a silk embroidered blouse.

honeythewitch

hieveryone wrote: »

I'm not sure my machine has a cold setting?

In that case you could do them by hand and use the machine to rinse and spin.

booter

hieveryone wrote: »

:eek: what happened when you went to collect it? Did they compensate you?

Well, they brought it out to me shamefacedly, and I promptly burst into tears . You know when you find a coat that's "just right"? That was this coat :( Although the label said "dry clean", apparently there was a "specialist" coating, which reacted with the chemicals. I suppose it could have been the manufacturer's fault for being lazy with the care label, but imo, the cleaners should have checked the fabric content - all the info was there :mad:. Yes, I did get some compensation - but I'd have rather had the coat :( And I've never found anything like it since (and boy, I've tried!)

And if I'd have been braver at the time (and more knowledgeable, and an MSE forum member armed with all the wondrous advice contained therein :rotfl:), I'd have cool washed it. The only reason I took it to the cleaners was because I didn't want to trash it!!

I'd still say to give it a go. I'm sure you've got a cold wash (either program or button) - most machines have. Afaik, the "killers" for anything in the machine are heat, excessive agitation and excessive spinning. If you remove those 3 factors, there shouldn't be a problem. Fingers crossed

Money_maker

I always put these sort of items in a pillowcase and tie with a sock which prevents it being thrown round the machine and the material being damaged.

littlepinkbiscuits

I wash everything, and mostly in the machine too. However, most of my clothes are second hand so if anything does go wrong, it's not such a big deal.

I bought a beautiful red wool coat from Debenhams a few years ago that actually says you can wash it, and I did! It was fine.

I always use the wool setting on my machine for coats and jackets, and generally look at the content first. Sometimes I spot clean by hand then rinse and spin in the machine. Delicates go in mesh bags.

The only disaster I ever had was a beautiful dry clean only dress I bought for a pound, it was acetate and shrunk badly in the wash. I'm now very nervous of acetate!

I've recently acquired a lovely Joules wool jacket that I'm a little nervous about washing but thankfully it is clean so when it needs doing I might need a large gin to steady my nerves :rotfl:

hieveryone

Oh dear I am very nervous! Booter that sounds awful about your coat, and I do know what you mean. I don't buy a 'lot' of clothes, but I buy good quality clothes that fit me well and I would hate to think an adored coat got ruined!

I will investigate the settings on my machine and have a think about it. One of my other coats has wool in it, but thankfully that just needs a freshen up outside on the line with some Febreze!

System

I have just washed a lovely raspberry 100% wool coat in my washing machine and it turned out fine!
I put it in by itself on the wool cycle and then hung it out on the line (on a hanger) to dry, it's looking good :-D
Hope this calms your nerves a little,
Linda x

Anne_Marie_2

I have never used these myself, as I no longer have a tumble dryer, but you can get sheets to use in the tumble dryer to "dry clean".

What I have done is steam cleaned clothing...I have an attachment for clothes on my steam cleaner. Have had no problems, however, I wouldn't do this if there was stains. I would be afraid that they might set due to the heat. Really depends on how much you pay and how much you like an item to try other methods.