Dress label says 'do not wash' 'do not dry clean'..so what do I do???!

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Bought a Jolie Moi dress from house of fraser for Xmas doo. I never thought to check the label beforehand but shop refused to dry clean it because the label says not to.

So how do I clean it??!

It's a 70% silk 30% polyester mix (top half poly and skirt silk I reckon). Surely polyester is ok with dry cleaning?

By 'do not wash' is that some sort of code for 'hand wash - not machine wash'??

I've hand washed silk before, with a washing liquid for delicate fabrics. Turned out ok. Would not wring it out though but pat dry between towels

Errr... Don't get it dirty!

It's possible that the 2 separate fabrics need different treatments, and that is why the contradictory instructions have been given. I would wash by hand and shape whilst damp. It's just a disclaimer.

Disclaimer: it might shrink!

I'd put it in a laundry bag or pillowcase and wash it on a cold delicates or wool wash using Woolite or a similar washing detergent

Contact H of F dept where you bought it and ask what to do. Surely they aren't selling wear once and throw away. If that is the case it's not fit for purpose. Needs a refund.

Or, take it back to HoF and ask for washing instructions or a refund.

'Do not wear ' ?

I'd go back to H of F with it and complain.

It's mostly arse-covering I think - personally, I'd handwash, or machine wash depending on the fabric/weave/weight etc. Depends if you can be doing with the faff really. HOF might want to recall it.

Cut off the label and take it back to the drycleaner

What exactly does the label say? Is it "do not dry clean" BUT handwash? Or is it "do not wash" AND "do not dry clean"

A friend of mine works in the fashion industry and tells me that often
"do not wash/dry clean only" labels are attached unnecessarily to make stuff last longer - particularly cheaper silks etc.

Generally speaking, you can hand wash most things - except for padded items or sequined/jewelled things.

Brightly coloured silks are better dry cleaned because of colour run/fading. But even then, most can take one or two cold/very cool hand washes in the garment life time.

A good tip is to hand wash cool/cold with persil silks/delicates liquid (it has a pink top - quite expensive but very good) OR to leave something to soak cold in Biotex - which is amazing at getting out stains.

As regards the dry cleaner, you need to find a better one. Most good ones will discuss the issue with you and offer solutions. I had a garment once that was dry clean only but stained. The dry cleaning did remove it and the dry cleaner suggested to me that I wash it on a cold delicates cycle with detergent - and she was right. It worked a treat.

Worst case scenario, if it says no dry clean and you still want it done, then they should still be prepared to do it if you sign a disclaimer.

Yep - take it back to house of Fraser and ask them. Otherwise they have sold you a product which is clearly not fit for purpose.

I agree with cheers, a good laundry will advise you. I use a laundry (its independently owned, not part of a chain) where I have taken for example, a hand made vintage coat without a label and they've done a fab job. I also brought a cos skirt that could be machine washed but had an oil stain that wouldn't come out and they did some magic with it. They always say that they can't guarantee the outcome, which is fair enough. I reckon a laundry expert in a place like this will help!

Yeah I think I'm going to take it to a different dry cleaner. I'm quite loathe to hand wash it or do a delicate cycle because the skirt is black and the top is cream so I don't want the top to come out grey!

The skirt is beautiful: pleated and layered with a ruffle hem and I'm worried about it losing shape & movement in the wash too.

Dry cleaner was Morrisons and was a crabbit old lady who didn't even contemplate discussion on the item. Hopefully I can get dialogue out of the next place I go to!

I'm quite loathe to hand wash it or do a delicate cycle because the skirt is black and the top is cream so I don't want the top to come out grey!confused

Ah well then I agree dry clean is probably best option.

You could wash it in a washing bowl (kind of thing that fits in a sink) one half at a time (ie. leave the white top hanging over the edge while you wash the black and vice versa) and change the water in between.

But if it is black silk, keep it cold as you will get a bit of colour run and each wash subsequent wash will fade it a bit more.

Go back to H of F and ask their advice - got to be the sensible option.

Re. Drycleaners - you need someone more specialist that Morrisons.

DD had a dress from Karen Millen that essentially was dryclean, but you had to remove all of the bits from it beforehand - totally impractical. We chatted it through with the drycleaner, who was really helpful, and we signed a waiver. It turned out fine.

Go back to H of F and ask their advice - got to be the sensible option.

Personally, I think this is a pointless exercise because
(a) they are the seller not the manufacturer so some shop girl won't have clue.
(b) the garment was labelled so (theoretically) the purchaser knew what they were getting.

If you want to address it with HoF, I would write to them at customer services with a photo of the label and make the point that they appear to be selling non-cleanable clothes which are not fit for purpose. Ask for either instructions as to how to clean it or a refund. You may get a refund.

I was told once, by a drycleaner, that if you've had silk drycleaned, you shouldn't then wash it afterwards; but if you start off by washing it then it's ok (hand wash, cool etc.)
But yes, washing it does cause some colour loss. :(

I don't buy stuff that can't be washed. Just annoys me too much. I don't mind handwashing, but I really can't be doing with the whole drycleaner faff. Luckily I don't need posh clothes!

Of course, you're absolutely right Cheers - but at least you'd be giving them ownership of the issue, and would have recourse if it all went pear-shaped having following whatever advice the shop girl/supervisor/manager gave.

febreeze

I'm an ex dry cleaner and this makes me so cross . They do it so they don't have to test the materials are colour fast ( which they probably aren't ) . A good dry cleaner will discuss options with you . If it's black and white it's likely to run if it's dry cleaned or washed . The safest option is to get the dry cleaners to clean it on its own . It will cost you more and you will no doubt need to sign a disclaimer so it's at your risk too.. I would speak to the shop too and tell them this and ask if they will refund if it runs . As it really isn't fit for purpose if you can't clean it ... I will just add a lot of brands do this and most of the expensive dresses with plastic beading are made of polyester and are much safer being hand washed and drip dried . The beading can often melt in the Solvent but are fine in water and often come up very shiny . It's the black and white that is the problem .. Not the material .

I have a dress with the same instructions. "Do not wash. Do not dry clean. Spot clean only." It's 100% Polyester, but with beading all over it. I'm going to try very carefully hand washing, laying it flat between two towels to squeeze some water out without wringing, and then drying flat. I did not purchase it new and it definitely needs to be cleaned. Any recommendations on what detergent to use? Woolite?

I'd just stick it in a cool wash with a colour run sheet. I've never had a disaster doing that.

I'm an ex dry cleaner and this makes me so cross . They do it so they don't have to test the materials are colour fast ( which they probably aren't ) This! My sister works in production and sticking a label like this on saves money on testing and garments being rejected and return on quality.

Grrrr, this makes me so cross! Disposable clothing.

Contact Jolie Moi customer services, they will advise you properly..