Advice needed for cleaning a dress

I know this is somewhat off-topic, but I thought some of you may have some advice for me. I wore my absolute favorite dress yesterday and spilled some chocolate on it--and it is a white dress. I immediately used a Tide stain stick and got the chocolate out. However, when the spots where I applied the stain stick dried, there were what look like water marks on the dress. I dabbed over one of the smaller watermarks with some water, and the original watermark went away, but was replaced by...a bigger, new watermark because of the new water I applied. I think that just wetting the dress will probably solve the problem.

The dress is 97% cotton and 3& elasticine. The care label says dry clean only. I have absolutely no problem taking clothing in to be dry cleaned, but this dress fits perfectly and if it shrinks at all, it won't fit anymore. I'm wondering if I am better off just soaking the dress in water (or water and Woolite) and letting it air dry.

I'm nervous to do anything, since it is my favorite dress. Does anyone with more experience than I have any advice?

16 years ago

shannon

Active Member

Last year I wore a white dress to my 20 year high school reunion, here's a picture

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gymgirl/2738400629/

At this reunion a classmate spilled her rum and coke on me. I immediately took my dress to the dry cleaner, but the stain stayed. I was devastated!

They told me that since the dress was 100% cotton that I should have no problems soaking it in Oxy Clean and washing it in cold water. They said that cotton fabrics can be washed this way no matter what the tag says. I totally trust this dry cleaner too. It's the one that Warren Buffet takes his clothes to.

The stain came out and the dress fits exactly the same. I could not believe it! I have since washed all my cotton items this way and have had no problem. Saves me a ton of money!

I would probably take the dress to the cleaners first to see what happens. If it doesn't work you have nothing to lose in washing it. Make sure you take it to a good cleaner though. The cheaper places don't change their solution often enough and it will turn white items dingy. I had that happen to a blazer long ago. Never again will I go to a budget dry cleaner.

Good luck with your dress!

taylor

Veteran

Oh bummer. Well ,I would rush this straight to the cleaners. Don't put anymore water on it..will only leave water marks.

I have ruined enough garments to know, and the cleaners will tell you *don't try to remove the stain yourself* They will have to remove the water stain now, but that is ok...they can do it!!

shana

I would probably take it to the cleaners as well but now that you have already wet it with water, you could probably wet the whole thing and see how it turns out - it is mostly cotton after all.

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