Dry Clean Only

[ChablisLover]

have rediscovered a dress and its says its dry clean only

its a cotton / lycra mix 97% cotton

could I cool hand wash instead

Thanks

[Nagoo]

I machine wash everything.

I haven't got room in my life for dry cleaning.

You presumably haven't worn it because of the cleaning faff, so if it was me I'd wash it and see what happened.

If it dies it dies.

How much was it?

[Trazzletoes]

I have no idea whether you can wash it due to fabrics but I used to work in a dry cleaners and frequently saw the results of people washing dry clean only garments. They can't be rescued. So it depends on whether or not you are prepared to ruin the dress or not, really. It may well be washable but it also may well not be.

[twentythirteen]

I don't buy anything I think I can't wash. I recently bought a cotton lycra dress that was tagged dry clean only, I washed on a gentle cool wash and it was fine.

[FrugalFashionista]

Chablis traditionally 'Dry clean' means hand wash and 'Dry clean only' means specialist needed. May shrink, or be very tricky to iron, or have hidden components that come undone. Particular care needed with high-end fibers - I've accidentally shrunk some £££ dresses and sweaters.

[OneLittleLady]

My black coat says Dry Clean Only, I think it's due to it's high wool content. I washed it in tepid water in the sink then stuck it in the washer on the spin cycle to get the water out. It's come out fine, no shrinkage or anything

[ChablisLover]

I think I might risk it.

I asked my mum and she said it should be ok but to iron when slightly damp and leave to dry that way.

[bishboschone]

Which shop is it from? Some manufacturers automatically put d/ c on things so they don't have to test to make sure it's washable .

[HormonalHousewife]

If you are going to risk it use a gentle detergent ssuitable for wool silks etc.

Dont use biological powder < bitter>

[greyvix]

Cotton/lycra should be fine, but don't blame me if it isn't!

[EMUZ]

I have a dress that's 94% polyester 6% elastane. Says dry clean only, I hand washed it very carefully. No rubbing, and dried it flat on a towel and it came out fine

[ChablisLover]

Thanks all

Was going to use woollite.

Will try tomorrow when I'm less rushed.

Wish me luck (but if you can wash uggs surely a cotton mix would be fine)

The dress is French connection and have. Feeling they put such labels on everything!

[EMUZ]

Mine is also a French connection one

[WinkBingo]

How'd the dress turn out, Chablis?

[ChablisLover]

Haven't actually got that far yet!

Going to try at weekend when I'm not rushed with family/work stuff.

[ChablisLover]

Dress seems to have turned out ok.

Hurrah!

[AmberNectarine]

Am just about to empty my machine contain a VW wool mix skirt, two cashmere sweaters and a DVF silk top. I have two toddlers and a bespoke suit/shirt wearing husband, if I dry cleaned my stuff I a. May as well get my salary transferred directly to the dry cleaners and b. start paying rent as I'd never leave.

[libertychick]

I have washed a lot of dry clean stuff on silk cycle with woolite - this cycle on my machine does not have a spin so I then do the lowest spin. Then with silk or cotton mixes etc I put on a hanger and leave to drip dry over the bath and with wool, dry it flat on a towel. So far no disasters but I haven't tried on poly mix dresses...those do go to the dry cleaners.

But at risk of outing myself as a skank, I only dry clean every 6/7 wears - I spot clean where necessary, wear slip or vest underneath and hang clothes immediately after wearing often in the bathroom after a shower so they get 'steamed'.

[Startail]

DHs dry clean only trousers go in the washer, all silk blouses do, all jumpers do. Nothing minds as long as you use sulk and wool detergent and gentle wash.

[Startail]

Silk given the size of my washing heap and the weather forecast Sulk washing liquid is about right.

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

Monsoon are buggers for dry clean only labels and can't be tumble dried. I wash most everything in my machine save for evening wear.

[alemci]

Just hand washed a dry clean pair of trousers and dripped dried. will let you know.