Many clothing manufacturers label delicate fabrics as “dry clean” to keep you from ruining them in the washing machine. However, this doesn't mean you must dry clean every delicate clothing item. Clothing tags marked “dry clean” or “dry clean recommended” may wash well at home with the right care.
Delicates can be washed in cold or sometimes warm water, but never hot. Many washing machines have their own program for delicates that minimizes the intensity of the spin cycle and typically uses more water to wash the clothes more carefully. For more protection, you can watch delicate garments in a mesh laundry bag.
The type of fabric is one of the most important factors determining whether a garment should be dry cleaned or not. While synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon can typically withstand regular washing and drying, natural fibers such as wool, silk, and cashmere often require more careful handling.
Dry cleaning, much like its name suggests, uses no water but is a comprehensive process that cleans the clothing just as effectively. While both cleaning processes have their purposes, in general, dry cleaning is better for delicate items and the removal of oil-based stains than conventional washing in a machine.
“Delicate” or “Hand Wash” machine settings when used with a gentle laundry detergent can protect and prolong the life of your delicate items.
Dry clean only clothes should not be washed in a regular washing machine as it can cause shrinkage, color bleeding, and fabric distortion. Ignoring the dry clean only instructions can lead to costly consequences such as damage that may require expensive repairs or replacement of the garment.
Choose the Right Wash Cycle
A regular cycle is best for sturdy and dirty clothes, while the permanent press setting is fine for the average load. Use the delicate cycle for lacy and loosely woven fabrics. Use hot water for white loads, warm water for the average load, and cold water for bright colors.
Cotton, linens and durable polyesters are typically safe to machine wash on a gentle cycle, while fragile fabrics like leather, suede, silk and other delicate materials are best maintained through dry cleaning.
With dry cleaning, the solvents are recovered and filtered to remove coarse and fine debris that could redeposit on garments as the garments are tumbled in a machine. In laundering, the clothes are tumbled in a machine with water and detergent to remove the dirt.
When you have clothing that needs to look sharp, like a suit, dress, sweater, or dress shirt, chances are you take it to the dry cleaners. But many nice articles of clothing don't need to be dry cleaned – often, having your clothing laundered and pressed is a better choice.
Silk, velvet, wool, leather, linen and suede are all fabrics that require professional dry cleaning to maintain their quality and appearance. Keep reading to learn more about how to properly care for these delicate materials.
Dry cleaning is generally a safe process for most garments. It is gentle on fabrics and does not cause shrinkage or colour bleeding. It's also a great option for delicate items like gowns that can't be washed in water.
*For best results, use a little less than two teaspoons (9.5 mL) of Dawn® Platinum in a top-loading washing machine—be sure not to use too much, and don't use on delicate fabrics like silk. Spot test with a small drop in a less visible area to make sure the material will not be damaged.
Answer: To prevent damage to zippers, buttons, and embellishments, zip up zippers, button up garments, and use laundry bags for items with delicate details.
Step 2: Use cold water and the proper wash cycles
Avoiding heavy duty cycles, fast spins and high-heat drying can also prevent shrinkage. Use delicate cycles instead, and place delicate clothes in a mesh laundry bag for added protection. When drying, consider a low-heat or air dry setting.
Generally speaking, cold wash cycles are best for delicates, colored, and normally soiled clothing; warm water is best for more soiled clothing and whites; and hot water is best for very soiled clothing or for loads, like underwear and towels, where you want to remove germs and allergens.
Key Takeaways
Washing dry clean only pants at home can result in shrinking, color bleeding, damage to fabric or embellishments, and loss of shape or structure. Delicate fabrics require special care and following the care instructions is crucial to avoid irreversible damage.
The Delicate cycle setting on your washer generally uses a gentle wash action, cold water and a low-speed spin to gently clean clothing while minimizing wrinkling. Some washing machine models label the Delicate cycle as “Gentle,” but the wash action is usually the same.
Dry cleaning at home with a washing machine
Check the label as always, and if it says “dry clean” instead of “dry clean only”, you'll be able to wash it in your machine. This is usually the case with cotton, polyester, nylon, and spandex clothes.
Typical fabrics that cannot be dry cleaned safely include fabrics containing or made up of plastic, PVC, or polyurethane. Fabrics composed of these materials would deteriorate during the cleaning process.
Normal: This cycle is for cotton or blended fabrics with average soil. The cycle combines high-speed wash action and high-speed spin, making it harsher on clothes. Heavy Duty: Select this setting to wash towels and sturdy fabrics like jeans. It is also appropriate for heavily soiled items.
Remember, fabric softener is completely optional, and your garments will likely pop out of the dryer feeling fresh, clean, and soft without it. However, “For some, it might make doing their laundry a little more fun to use an extra product that smells very good and is colorful,” Fulford says.