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

[u32ng]

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'??

[Retailqueenie]

A quick google and here's the address..

[email protected]

[Medoc]

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

[brighterdays2]

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]

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!

[monokia]

Then don't dry clean them.

[monokia]

@CheersMedea

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.

[missmoon]

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]

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]

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

[StarlightLady]

@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]

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