Tunic jumper/dress - 6 % angora wool - would you dry clean only or risk a machine wash?

[Tailz]

I want to buy this top from Phase Eight but I honestly can't be bothered with dry clean only garments. Would you risk a cold machine wash with a very gentle spin?

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Phase+Eight+Tabatha+double+layer+tunic/180641536,default,pd.html

Thank you

[thenightsky]

I'd be scared that the neck would go baggy where it meets the cotton insert bit. It looks that sort of thing that would lose its shape easily.

Maybe hand wash gently squeezing, rather than machine washing. Then dry flat on a shelf in your airing cupboard, avoiding radiators which will shrink it or hanging on a line which will stretch it.

[flowery]

I would totally put that through the hand wash cycle in the machine, absolutely.

(But it's not my fault if you ruin it... )

[Tailz]

Thank you. I have the same concerns regarding the shape.

Flowery I have a number of dry clean items from Phase Eight and normally wash them on a cool wash. I simply cross my fingers and pray as the washing machine starts!

I appreciate your help/thoughts.

[Idespair]

I don't think I would risk it. Therefore I wouldn't buy it.

[Twinklestein]

Handwash for preference.

But if you have a 30 degrees handwash cycle, put it in a washbag & turn the spin off.

When you take it out, lay it out on a towel, then roll up towel to rid excess water. Then dry flat.

I have lots of jumper dresses I do this way.

[Fozzleyplum]

If the 2 layers are separate, I'd risk it. I always wash knitwear that's dry clean only, using a weak solution of baby shampoo in just off cold water, then rinse in more cold water, spin in the machine and dry over the radiator or drape over the bannisters to dry flat.

I wouldn't risk it if the layers are attached; if the woolly layer shrinks at all, the whole garment will appear "buckled".

[Tailz]

Thank you all.

I'm grateful for your views - keeping it nice will be quite hard work I think and I wonder whether I'll ever really enjoy wearing it? I also wanted something that would keep me warm and with such little angora, I doubt it'll be particularly great.

[thenightsky]

Pisses me off when clothes that are meant to be everyday basics are dry clean only.

[Tailz]

thenightsky I agree, it is annoying.