To safely wash a "dry clean only" jacket at home, you can usually spot-clean or hand-wash it if it is made of natural fibers. However, because structured jackets have inner linings that can shrink or warp, the safest method is to use a home dry-cleaning kit in your dryer.
Putting a "dry clean only" coat in the washing machine is extremely risky. It can cause permanent damage, including severe shrinkage, misshapen padding in the shoulders, fading, and fabric distortion.
Gentle methods like steaming, brushing, and spot cleaning can refresh many dry-clean-only garments safely at home. Some fabrics, like silk, wool, and cashmere, are delicate and require extra care to avoid damage during cleaning.
Caring for your Wool Blanket
Pendleton's traditional wool blankets should only be dry-cleaned. Washing will shrink the blanket and ruin it. These blankets will have a care label with “Dry Clean" on it. The exception is the Easy Care washable Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool® bedding line.
Many "dry clean only" items can be safely washed at home using cold water and gentle detergents. However, always take structured garments (like suits), leather, or items with heavy embellishments to professionals.
If you've accidentally washed dry clean only pants or other garments, don't panic. Avoid additional washing or heating, and lay it flat to dry. Look for signs of fading or shrinkage.
You can easily dry clean clothes at home using commercial At-Home Dry Cleaning Kits, which utilize a special dryer cloth to clean and de-wrinkle your garments. Alternatively, you can hand-wash them using cold water and a gentle detergent, taking care to air-dry flat.
Wool is often dry cleaned to prevent shrinking and felting, but can also be to keep the garment colorfast. Hand washing in cool water is the only other way. Any agitation or warm/hot water may cause the wool felt and shrink.
Wool cleaning options include dry cleaning, hand washing, or machine washing. If the label says “Dry Clean Only,” take the garment to a professional dry cleaner for the very best results. To avoid shrinkage and damage to the hand of the fabric, do not machine wash!
The best thing to do is hand wash you garment (and any other wool garments) in the sink using warm water (not at all hot) and a small amount of gentle dish soap like dawn or shampoo. Gently scrub using your hands and do not wring or pull, as that will stretch your garment.
What Are the Disadvantages of Dry Cleaning?
Washing dry clean only clothing can ruin the garment, so it's best to take it to a professional cleaner. If you don't see washing instructions, look instead at the material the clothing is made from – leather, suede, beaded or sequined items, silk, acetate, velvet, wool and taffeta should be dry cleaned.
Washing a "dry clean only" item exposes it to water and machine agitation. This commonly causes severe shrinkage, color bleeding, fabric distortion, or structural ruin (especially for items with linings or interfacing).
8 Steps to Dry Clean at Home
Here are a few reasons a piece of clothing might carry that label: Delicate fabrics like wool, silk, rayon, or cashmere can shrink, stretch, or lose their finish in a washing machine. Dyes may bleed or fade, especially on richly colored or patterned garments.
Dish soap is best reserved for minor stains on durable leather items. A small amount of dish soap diluted in water can clean surface stains without damaging the material. However, the key is moderation. Overuse or applying soap directly to the leather can lead to discoloration or dryness.
Select the Woolens, Delicate, or Handwash cycle on your washing machine and make sure the water temperature is cold and the spin is on low. Add Wool & Cashmere Shampoo considering the machine type and load size. Never put wool coats in the dryer!
Wool fiber swells when it becomes wet and then contracts when it dries. This is what causes wool to shrink when you wash it in hot water. So If you don't want it to shrink, just avoid washing it in really hot water. Handwashing in cool or slightly warm water is always recommended for wool garments.
Wool can shrink or lose its shape in a regular wash, leather risks drying out or cracking, and puffers can lose that cozy insulation if not handled correctly. Dry cleaning is the best option to handle these items because it doesn't just clean—it preserves.
You can safely wash most "dry clean only" clothes at home using cold water, gentle soap, and an air-dry method. However, always check the fabric content first; natural fibers like silk, wool, and cotton often handle this method well, whereas structured garments like blazers should still be left to the professionals.
In Japan, it is common to do laundry every day for couples or families. Single people typically do laundry 1 to 3 times a week. A family with small children will sometimes do it more than 2-3 times a day.
Is there a home alternative to dry cleaning? Yes, dry clean at home using several different methods. Hand washing, steam cleaning, and dry cleaning kits are all effective options. Hand washing is ideal for delicate garments, while steam cleaning helps freshen and remove wrinkles from them.
The 5 Steps of the Dry Cleaning Process
How I wash dry-clean clothing at home: