DIY dry cleaning or do you ignore dry clean symbols?

[boogiewoogie]

Especially if it's on a small thing? I don't like taking things to the dry cleaners as they cost a fortune! Has anyone ever done their own dry cleaning? If it's a small item like a top, have you ever just hand washed it and it was fine?

yes many times, i think its more for their benefit - so they wont get sued

Depends on how much it cost tbh. If it wasn't that expensive in the first place then I would put in in the washing machine on a hand wash cycle [lazy] and possibly in some sort of wash bag. If it was expensive then I would take it to the dry cleaners....but not that often. It would have to have a clear stain or smell.

ignore - but then I don't have really expensive stuff and don't buy 'dry clean only' garments.
if in doubt I try the wool/delicate cycle on a low temperature first.
so far all garments have survived.

Ooh, thanks for the quick responses. Yes, I often wondered that Custardo whether they just put it there to make themselves more "exclusive". I'm talking about children's clothing mainly and things like tops that have metallic thread but no beads.

Bought a dress for £100 and thought maybe better to heed the dry cleaning label - pointed out a small stain on it - paid £15 [gasp] and collected it with small stain still on it!

Husband bought a new suit for work - wool - decided to try the trousers in a 15 minute hand wash - pressed them using a cotton pillowcase (just in case I made them shiny) and they look great

I've had some great buys from charity shops and ebay that were dry clean only, winter coats included... So far all have survived a wool/delicates/cool wash in the washing machine.

I did a cold hand wash on my very favourite posh going out top, just once, rather than take it to the dry cleaners, and ended up with the torso shrunk and one sleeve much longer than the other :( it was boiled wool so I thought it would be ok but evidently not. Now I just avoid dry clean only stuff...