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Original poster

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

39 replies

u32ng · 06/01/2015 13:26

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'??

OP posts:

Retailqueenie · 03/03/2020 09:13

A quick google and here's the address..

[email protected]

Medoc · 03/03/2020 12:50

Um- the thread is five years old... OP has hopefully cleaned it by now!

brighterdays2 · 03/03/2020 13:15

Take it to the dry cleaner and ask, they should know what to do.

Commenter further up who said that these labels are attached to prolong fabric life/cover the brand is correct.

RebekahJP · 04/03/2020 19:39

I found a great solution! My husband has an air cleaner called an "Odor Killer 3." I think it's an ozone generator. He uses it to get odors out of his hunting clothes. I put it in a small room (bathroom), set it on high, and hung the clothes on the shower rod that were stinky. 24 hours later - no smell at all! No wash, no dry clean, problem solved!

RebekahJP · 04/03/2020 19:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RebekahJP · 04/03/2020 19:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

monokia · 25/05/2023 11:07

Then don't dry clean them.

monokia · 25/05/2023 11:10

CheersMedea · 06/01/2015 17:20

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.

Thanks for your share.

liliabra · 26/05/2023 02:57

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

missmoon · 26/05/2023 10:42

As an alternative, can you spot clean (if any stains) and then steam clean it with a hand-held steamer? I do that with dresses that are delicate, but where they only need refreshing / deodorising, rather than a full clean.

StarlightLady · 26/05/2023 10:44

I would machine wash on a delicate cycle and a slower spin. I often wash ice,s marked dry clean only. But this whole thing here is totally ridiculous and I would also follow up with a complaint to H of F.

Yarnysaura · 26/05/2023 13:06

Err, this thread is 8 years old, I expect OP has sorted it by now.

StarlightLady · 26/05/2023 13:15

@Yarnysaura - Whoops! I hope so. Otherwise she will have a smelly dress. I wish people wouldn't resurrect ancient threads. Although, it's my fault for not noticing.

Gwenhwyfar · 27/05/2023 11:39

Wear a top under it so you don't get sweat on it then if you have stains just sponge clean the stains.

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