Can I put this handwash only dress in the washing machine?

[QueenOfTheAndals]

I picked up a Westwood Anglomania dress from a charity shop which is 95% viscose, 5% Lycra. In v good visiting but whiffs a bit of eau du charité shop.

Says hand wash or dry clean (in tetrachlorothene normal process, whatever that is) on the label but if I put it in the machine on a cold silk/delicates wash, followed by a reduced spin and dry flat, would it be ok?

Is there a reason you don't want to just hand wash it like it says on the instructions?

If you have to risk it with the washing machine, I'd put it in a pillowcase and ensure it is tied in safe and wash on delecate.
But in all honesty I wouldn't risk it and would hand wash.

Just hand wash it

I find handwashing never seems to get things as clean as the machine and they take forever to dry! Maybe dry cleaning is the best option initially.

I wouldn’t, I’ve horrendously ruined hand wash only clothes before by putting them in the machine without reading the label

Do you not have a handwash cycle on your washing machine?

I've had Anglomania dresses and tops and I've put them all in the machine on a handwash/delicates cycle, no problem. Some were viscose and a couple were merino wool. I will say though that I tend to take the view that if something doesn't survive the machine then it didn't have a future with me, and I wouldn't be devastated if I ruined something.

I put such items in the washer but then I have a hand wash setting.

My machine doesn't have a hand wash setting but it does have a silk cycle which doesn't spin the clothes and I have a wash bag.

Then I would use that one. Cold wash and no spin should do the trick.

Yeah, risk it on the silk cycle. And I won't tell you about the silk linen mix trousers I ruined by hand washing. Oh no.

Stupid question: the clothes are literally sopping wet after the silk cycle - is a low spin ok or should I just hang it up over the bath and wait 3 days for it to dry?

If it were me, I'd spin it.

I would personally, I just didn't want to suggest it in case it wrecked your clothes

If you dont want to risk spinning it, then squeeze out as much excess water as you can, then lay it on a towel. Roll the towel up and then walk on it a few times!

I would.
but for me clothes that can't be washed in the mashine are not worth having.
slow spin, low temp and fingers crossed.
hang outside to dry.

Unfortunately I live in a flat and we aren't allowed to hang things outside!

You’re better off spinning it than you are trying to wring the water out and risk distorting the shape. It’ll be fine!

you could put it between two bath towels and roll it up to gently squeeze out the water

Gentle spin!

My sister works in fashion and they often put hand wash on the label to cover their backs, I've machine washed lots of items that I got for free or at sample sales that said hand wash or dry clean and they have all been fine

Update: I washed the dress, it was fine on the silk cycle and I'm wearing it today!