https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:49:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1252354 Thu, 15 May 2014 13:04:26 +0000 chadya 1252354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>poly/spandex can be washed in the machine.&nbsp; The only caveat for me would be if the waist band is stichted down or not or it could get twisted during washing.<br />Get a washing mesh bag and use that for your pants.&nbsp; I machine wash everything with those bags </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1252154 Thu, 15 May 2014 03:50:07 +0000 unfrumped 1252154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a content - reader and fabric- feeler. These SOUND like something I'd have no problem washing at home. Acetate and some (not all) rayons, not so much. For me there are different decision points: can it take water, can it take a washer cycle, can it take any dryer heat at all. Many thanks to my Mom, who bought 1-2" test strips of desired fabrics and put through the washer before making a garment for me or for herself, to see if shrank/ puckered/ frizzled, and so I learned how different fabrics and blends behaved. Not infallible, but allows me to ignore many Dry Clean Only labels. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251786 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:23:43 +0000 Mander 1251786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me dry cleaning is just too much of a hassle and an unnecessary expense. I rarely buy anything that needs it in any case.</p> <p>So far I have one cotton jacket that came out oddly crinkled after washing, but since I got it on eBay for only a few pounds I'm not that worried. Some day I will figure out how to iron it back into shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251779 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:14:32 +0000 JAileen 1251779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't recommend that you wash something that says dry clean only. Probably you can wash, but I have ruined a couple of things. One item was rayon, and the other was wool. Just thinking about them make me feel stupid for wrecking things I loved. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251774 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:08:54 +0000 Echo 1251774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think when these pants need washing, I will wash in cold water on delicate. Interestingly, I have a pair of pants with the same fabric content and the same feel/fabrication, but they are not from a higher-end department store. They give washing instructions to wash on cold and tumble dry low! If the pants didn't have the same fabric content and same feel, I wouldn't compare them, but I have to wonder how many labels on slightly more expensive items say to dry clean while a similar/same item labeled for a lower price range has washing instructions. Do they think that "Dry Clean Only" makes people feel better about a purchase? If anything, I would imagine it would discourage many buyers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251737 Wed, 14 May 2014 20:17:08 +0000 Thistle 1251737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with Diana. Unless it is a wool coat, suiting or formal dress, I wash it on the hand wash or delicate cycle in my machine. And bras I wash by hand.</p> <p>I won't lie, a few things have been ruined, but dry cleaning chemicals bother me a great deal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251728 Wed, 14 May 2014 20:09:54 +0000 Ledonna N. 1251728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only take my winter coats to the dry cleaners. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251686 Wed, 14 May 2014 19:20:50 +0000 Helena 1251686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would wash them - primarily because anything dry clean I've ever bought gets worn until it needs a clean, then sits for 2 years until I get rid of it I will say I've only ruined one thing, a cashmere sweater, out of everything I've tried, so I think it has worked out for me on balance.&nbsp;</p> <p>So to me there would be no loss - if they are precious though, don't risk it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251651 Wed, 14 May 2014 18:48:01 +0000 gryffin 1251651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Major chicken - I would dry clean (but, of course, I've had items ruined by the cleaners too)&nbsp; Good luck with whatever you choose!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251307 Wed, 14 May 2014 10:15:54 +0000 rute 1251307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I sometimes cheat, it depends on the fabric, I don't read labels or compositions, I just feel the fabric and decide what to do. If it's an expensive piece I don't take chances and take it to the dry clean.<br />Maybe gentle cold wash? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251305 Wed, 14 May 2014 10:13:04 +0000 crutcher 1251305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I long ago put the dry cleaners out of business with Dryelle...I spot clean with the enclosed little cleaner each garment...usually only 3 because I find they clean better if they aren 't packed into the bag...Then, I put them in the dryer and I do deviate here by putting them on regular dry...As soon as the time is up and I mean I set my stove timer so they are not allowed to sit..I hang them up to perfection pull the pants straight, straighten blazer seams, etc...I usually let them line air for about a day...This way all of the smell is about out...<br />I have done this method with all of my clothes because of convenience, not having the awful dc chemicals in my house and saving a ton of money... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251232 Wed, 14 May 2014 05:25:33 +0000 Caro in Oz 1251232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do what E &amp; Diana do with no problems.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251228 Wed, 14 May 2014 05:21:55 +0000 rachylou 1251228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Same. I wash everything at home. Air dry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251213 Wed, 14 May 2014 05:01:33 +0000 Golden 1251213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do exactly like E, I hate the chems in dry cleaning so I do a lot in garment bags in the machine on gentle and the hang dry in my closet. Works great! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251201 Wed, 14 May 2014 04:26:14 +0000 deb 1251201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would wash them if it were me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251169 Wed, 14 May 2014 03:21:36 +0000 Anonymous 1251169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What you describe is something I would hand wash and lay flat to dry unless you want then to stretch longer. I sometimes do this on purpose to get more length for a short top and, most recently, a pair of knit ankle pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251154 Wed, 14 May 2014 03:11:59 +0000 Diana 1251154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I almost always wash everything at home. &nbsp;The only things I dry clean are my wool coats, suiting, and some formal dresses. Oh, and things with leather don't get washed either.</p> <p>Like E says, it's best to not hang knits to dry since they could get stretched out or misshapen. &nbsp;Better to just lay them flat on a towel. &nbsp;If it's a lighter weight jersey type material it's probably safe to hang it.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251132 Wed, 14 May 2014 02:46:18 +0000 E 1251132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wash everything on my washer's hand wash cycle even if it says dry clean only, but I don't hang dry my knits: I dry them flat so they don't get stretched out. Don't know if that's helpful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251110 Wed, 14 May 2014 02:28:38 +0000 Karina 1251110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use Dryell (at-home dry cleaning kit) for all my dry cleaning and have never had issues. I've done this for years for both myself and my husband's clothes. You can get the kit at Target or the grocery store. Honestly, with your description of the item I would hand wash and line dry, but of course that is up to you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dry-clean-vs-wash-at-home#post-1251104 Wed, 14 May 2014 02:22:48 +0000 Echo 1251104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a pair of pants that is a stretchy polyester/spandex knit. They are harem-type pants with elastic at the waist and cuffs and are not lined. I just realized that the label says "Dry Clean Only."&nbsp;</p> <p>With a polyester crepe or a lined item, I would always follow directions, but these are a stretchy knit material. Is there ever an occasion where a stretchy knit polyester/spandex could be ruined by washing? I would wash on delicate and hang dry, just in case, but I have other items that have the same fabrication and feel that regularly go through the washer.</p> <p>So my question is when do you follow label directions and when do you cheat? Have you ever ended up ruining anything?&nbsp; </p>