Has anyone tried handwashing or machine washing dry-clean-only 'Whistles' tops?

[laurajane12345]

Hi!
As above...... Lots of pretty tops in bright colours around but most state 'dry clean only' which is just not practical for daily wear!
Has anyone been brave enough to try washing at home?!
Thanks before I order!

[bishboschone]

You can wash dry clean tops as long as you are very very careful. Depending on what they are made of though, it will take the life out of them much quicker ( I'm a dry cleaner btw !) depends how good you are at washing and how much time you are prepared to sound on it. Not something you could just bung in with other stuff. Hth

[laurajane12345]

Thanks-it is their fine silk tops I am thinking of. i would be happyto gently handwash them with a delicate detergent using warm water? Do you think it would work?!

[nancythursday]

I've just posted on another thread about this...
The handwashing silk one...
I've got a silk blouse from whistles, had it a couple of years and have always washed it in my machine. I use ecover delicate washing liquid, and I put it in a wash bag to protect it. I've used woolite in the past too and it's still in great condition.

[bishboschone]

I know it would work as we have washed many but you must be very careful and accept it may be ruined . When we wash Silk dresses and blouses we use the hand wash setting on the washing machine with a liquid silk detergent , hang immediately and obviously cold iron. We have special irons that don't burn though so this may be a problem, I have never used a domestic iron in this process.

[thehairybabysmum]

I often wash silk and other 'dry-clean' only stuff. Either handwash or gentle machine wash on collest setting. Never had a problem.

Ironing, i just put a tea towel over area when ironing to prevent any burning/scorching.

[FrancesFarmer]

I've given up on dry cleaners for the most part - I use them for coats only.

I wash delicate "dry-clean only" items on the cold cycle or by hand with a few drops of woollite for something that's particularly fragile. I've had no disasters yet!

[laurajane12345]

brill-thanks. I shall give it a go!