I machine-wash and hang-dry a lot of silk items and some other "dry clean only" things but take lined jackets and skirts to the dry cleaner. I used to avoid anything that could not be gently washed but decided it was not worth it because the fit of lined, dry-clean only jackets is often better. I had too many baggy or wrinkly cotton or knit jackets that I bought simply to avoid dry cleaning that I finally decided to bite the bullet.

I was thinking recently that I am getting tired of ironing all the air-dried items so perhaps I should consider investing in a steamer.

My husband jokes that the only thing that goes in the wash is my undergarments:)
He may have a point, but I have invested heavily in my clothes and like them to stay pristine and new/fresh looking:)
Plus I have ruined a lot of beautiful items because "I can hand wash this" attitude has cost me dearly:(
I do own a proffessional steamer that I LOVE!!!

I dry clean anything that says I have to and that has a lining. I never dry clean knits unless they have leather buttons. Lesson learned the hard way: leather buttons will always bleed. And they will bleed not only on the sweater they are attached to, but everything else.

I knit, so I'm actually a little fascinated that only knitters seem to know about Eucalin. That's a wool wash that you soak your woolens in and then squeeze them out. The soap contains a little lanolin to condition your sweaters. It is amazing stuff.

I am constantly on the lookout for washable summer dresses. I live in a very hot climate, and I'm a sweaty Betty -- I can get soaked walking across a parking lot! I don't think Dryel would cut it for my warm weather clothing.

I dry clean some, but I'm not crazy about the chemicals involved. One of my neighbors uses an environmentally friendly cleaner; I need to ask her about that. It advertises "Perc free wet cleaning." I might make the switch.

I agree that steamers are fab! Taylor, I'm sure your hubby admires how lovely and put together you always look, so what's a few dollars for dry cleaning, eh? Alicat, you're right: if something is drenched in sweat, I don't think Dryel is going to cut it! Luckily most of my work clothes do not get sweat-soaked :).

I use and love dryel. I also always check the fabric content even if the tag says "dry clean only" to discern if i really feel this is the only option.

Basically, i don't let a little tag stop me from buying an item i love!

I think that Ruth is probably correct about the labels really being disclaimers to avoid lawsuits. Growing up, my made all of our clothes. Including our Winter wool coats. And she washed everything by hand. We just didn't do dry cleaning. Though I would never chance that.

Also, regarding the smell...I am extremely sensitive to smell. I get migraines and asthma attacks..yet for some reason, the Dryel smell doesn't bother me. You could always air it out before wearing, that might help.

I am much more likely to avoid handwash only items than dry-clean only. I live right by a dry cleaning place that charges under $3.00 per item, and turns items around in under 24 hours, so it's not that big of a deal for me to do dry cleaning. Handwashing, on the other hand, I'm really lazy about. I'll usually end up handwashing the item once or twice, and then just throwing it in the washer thereafter. If it dies....it dies. I can't handle handwashing.

I am the dry clean queen. Seriously. I even dry clean F21 items. I try to wear things as long as possible before sending them to my BFF David (my DC dude).

So looking at labels doesn't have any baring on whether I purchase a garment or not.

Read: I hate to iron.

Disclaimer: I have never used Dryel for any of my DH's suits. They are too expensive to mess up & replace. I have, however, used Dryel to freshen the dresses that my 3 daughters wore when they were flower girls in a family wedding. Nothing happened to the dresses, so I was impressed. That said, I still think the clothing manufacturers want to avoid lawsuits and that you can hand wash or machine wash (on gentle cycle; cold water) many "dry clean only" items. I personally don't hand wash anything! Too much trouble with a large family and many loads of laundry to do every week.

Cold water hand washing is much better for silks than the dry cleaners. My structured silk, cotton and woolen clothing goes to a green dry cleaners--I don't notice any smell. I also cold water wash silk, cashmere and woolen knits.

I'm also sensitive to fragrances. Can't stand Dryel or the Woolite version. Airing the clothing out after cleaning doesn't seem to help that much.

I hate it when a simple cotton item (not a tailored jacket, for instance) is labeled Dry Clean Only. Unless it is a print with colors that might run (and why are manufacturers using these anyway?) I either wash the item or just let it stay in the store.

I put it back on the sale rack if it says "dry clean ONLY" unless it is an item I will wear very infrequently since I hate going to the cleaners. Frankly I don't wear much daily work clothing next to my skin that can't go in the washer and dryer. Special occasion dresses or nice coats and dress slacks would be an exception as they don't need cleaning that often.

I am like MaryK and will wear trousers and blazers multiple times before taking them to the cleaners. Sweaters or tops I handwash myself. I do try to limit my dry clean only items when it is a top or dress, because I like to wash items against my skin right away. Items that I can layer or do not sweat against (blazers, sweater with a LS T underneath) I don't mind dry cleaning because I only do this once or twice in a season.