Spot clean only dress - can I dry clean it?

[loobylou10]

As the title - how do I clean a spot clean only dress? Has anyone ever washed/dry cleaned one?

What is the fabric? Do you have a picture?

Thanks. Yes it’s this one. I wore to a wedding and it needs refreshing under the arms!!

What brand is it. Have you got a picture of the care tag?

Sorry link here https://www.johnlewis.com/gina-bacconi-claudina-jacquard-dress-forest-green/p112273642

I've washed loads of dry clean only garments and its been fine.

Depends on the fabric.

Also it is lined? that can cause issues if it reacts differently be being washed (Ie shrinks) and the main fabric doesn't.

Show us your care label & fabric makeup

Take a picture of the care label but I’d start by turning it inside out and spraying the armpits with neat vodka

as its 100% polyester I would have no qualms about handwashing it if you don't want it dry cleaned.

Maybe try wetting it a bit to see how the jacquard fabric reacts

mind you I have little time for "dry clean only" and can be reckless with clothing!

It’s spot clean though not dry clean - I think they are different?

I would say nearly all fabrics can be washed even if you hand wash. The fact it is polyester I would have thought it would be fine does it have any marks on it at all.

It's 100% polyester.
Is there a lining?
If not, I'd gently hand wash and line dry, maybe laying it over a towel and pegging the towel not the dress on a hot day. Dry inside out. I think it'd be fine.

No marks - was a very hot day though! Fully lined.

The Royal Ballet uses Stingray Spot Cleaner.

If it’s just for deodorising, then vodka spray.

I'd hand wash it in tepid water. Use biological detergent and the enzymes should do their job under the arms. Squeeze out the worst of the water and air dry it on a hanger.

I wouldn’t wash it, I’d run the armpits under the warm tap with a tiny bit of hand wash and hang it up on the washing line but on a clothes hanger and air it all day. I’d repeat the process until the pits were less pongy. I wouldn’t risk washing the entire dress for stinky armpits.

‘Stinky armpits’ 😂😂. Sounds great doesn’t it! Thanks all, I’ll give it a go. Gentle spot wash, vodka and hang outside.

Yes, the vodka is a common theatre costume hack.

Sorry I totally misunderstood.

I would be very cross if I couldn’t wash a dress. It’s not really “fit for purpose” as clothing if you can’t wash it. How daft.

Similar to the vodka suggestion - I find this spray really effective:
https://clothes-doctor.com/products/clothing-spritz-clothes-spray-white-tea-mint?variant=41463833690278&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&campaignid=23845329112&adgroupid=198062881324&adid=808561498003&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23845329112&gbraid=0AAAAADGVdwyy8Fz6lYLD9bCHE7zc8kw3H&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxgoTt89nbx2lpeAPXCCPRe9gO7n-bTwjIX_kCAG7jhYcCx4babyXBcaAqbqEALw_wcB

I agree! It wasn’t cheap either, can’t believe I can’t actually wash/clean it. I never knew such a thing existed so lesson learned there to always check care labels I guess. It was a wonderful dress to wear for my sons wedding (and I probably wouldn’t wear it again if im
honest) but just a bit shocked that it’s potentially just a ‘one wear’ dress. Could never sell it on now either so in my wardrobe it will stay.

As it’s polyester I think the spot clean only instruction probably refers to the delicate nature of the embellishment/jaquard. It’s not like viscose that can shrink. I’d definitely risk handwashing the armpits but not soaking the whole dress.