The Fold dry clean only sweater

[NaturalBornWoman]

I now own a sweater which is dry clean only. I thought it was hand washable (never heard of dry cleaning knitwear) but clearly should have checked the label. I normally put even hand wash knitwear in the machine on a cold wash and haven't had any issues, but I was going to hand wash this one. Would you risk washing it? It's 94% wool, 4% viscose, 4% polyamide. I guess it's the viscose which is the risk?

I’d chance it - but I am renowned amongst my nearest and dearest for chancing everything in the washing machine....I just never think dry cleaning makes things actually clean (and I can’t be arsed taking stuff there and having to wait for days to get it back).

I think protocol for dry clean clothing is to wear them once or twice and place them at the bottom of the laundry basket and leave them there forevermore.

Does your washing machine have a steam clean option? If yes then use it. Alternatively you could hover a steam iron over the jumper (careful not to touch it) if you just want a quick refresh.

Wash it. That jumper is not the boss of you

I think protocol for dry clean clothing is to wear them once or twice and place them at the bottom of the laundry basket and leave them there forevermore.

Well exactly. I wouldn't have bought it if I'd realised. But I didn't, so I did, and it was £££. I don't feel as though dry cleaning is 'proper' cleaning either. Honestly, how stupid is the idea of a dry clean only sweater!

I think this is an Americanism- they seem to want to dry clean everything!
Personally I would risk a superfast handwash in nearly cold water with a wool detergent, then stretch into shape, place on a towel and roll up to squeeze out the water, and dry flat. If it doesn't shrink I'd use slightly warmer water the next time and so on. This should reveal whether it's just lazy labelling by the manufacturer.

What nothingwittyhere said, and I'd also turn it inside out and put in a garment bag to protect it.

Wool is often marked dry clean because wool fibres in water can felt and shrink. Probably they're being cowardly and protecting themselves from returns due to faulty washing and/or disappointment that garment doesn't look quite as it did before washing afterwards.

Same here, OP - I bought a gorgeous jumper from And Other Stories, only to find out it was dry clean only.

I have no intention of dry cleaning it and plan to put it on a wool wash with wool detergent. With my fingers tightly crossed!

I think dry cleaning is definitely needed for fabrics with special finishes, or for lined/structured wool fabrics (i.e. a suit jacket), but everything else is fair game for the washing machine.

Just febreeze the hell out of it and scrape any dirty bits off with your fingernail 😂

I highly recommend ‘eucalan’, it’s a no-rinse wool wash so you just fill a tub with room temperature water, pour in a tiny bit, put jumper in and squeeze til it’s soaking then just leave to sit for 15+ minutes, give any visibly dirty bits a gentle rub. I use it for all delicates now after shrinking one too many jumpers in the machine. It’s about £12 for a bottle but lasts ages.

I just can't bring myself to do it. I looked on Laundress.com and it says viscose and polyamide are problematic, although massively advocating washing most things. The viscose could shrink and the polyamide swell apparently, so that would look lovely . I'm a bit cross, mostly with myself! I've already given it a steam previously but I've worn it a few times now and it must be grubby even though it's black. Grrr

You can wash it. They are protecting themselves. Test if it's colour fast by dropping water in a usually unseen part and dab with white cloth. If it doesn't colour the white, it should be okay

To machine wash, turn it inside out and put into a mesh bag designed to hold delicates during a wash. Machine wash cold with a mild detergent, using the gentlest cycle available. Remove from the machine as soon as the cycle ends, and lay them out flat to dry. I use a thick towel over a clothes airier and lay the jumper as flat as I can over the top of that. Turn a few times until it's dry, changing the towel if it gets wet. For some things I then put on a cold tumble dry for 10 minutes to kind of fluff it back up

I'd chance it but I never look at the labels on clothes just throw them in the washing machine

@NaturalBornWoman how dirty can it be? Do you wear if next to your bare skin? I can assure you I'm reasonably hygiene conscious and I wash knitwear once a season if that. I always wear over a layer eg t shirt. I am clean myself. I wear a jumper. Take off, hang outside wardrobe over night ( window is open). Then I put back in wardrobe. Obviously if I spilled my dinner or tea down it I'd wash it. Most stuff doesn't need washing as often as people are got used to. I imagine it's fine

The spruce says it's okay to wash!

Most things are ok to wash as long as you are careful .. if you are worried about the machine then just swoosh it in a bowl of woolite and squeeze it out in some towels to make sure it's not too wet then dry flat ..

4 % viscose and 4 % polyamide? It won't matter a jot. Wash by hand, no rubbing, no wringing. Roll into towel to press the water out. Shape and dry flat.

Mind, I'd use the delicate wash on the machine.

I read somewhere about spritzing garments with a vodka solution to refresh them instead of dry cleaning? Not sure if that works though... maybe google it.

@LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow - truth.