Seasalt everglow dress- dry clean only?

[SockFluffInTheBath]

Just bought this dress because of another thread on here. Lovely dress, but the label says dry clean only. Anyone got this and washed it at home?

www.seasaltcornwall.com/evenglow-empire-line-long-satin-dress

I don’t have the dress - but looking at it, I’d say it has the potential to turn bobbly with washing. That’s been my experience with viscose dresses.

So probably best dry cleaned.

(Unless someone else can confirm they’ve washed it a dozen times with no ill effect.)

Hand washing should be fine using liquid washing detergent. Lie it flat on a towel afterwards to dry. I used to work as a dry cleaner and learned a lot of clothes say dry clean only because the company are being cautious.

I would machine wash it as silk using a light detergent. Then air dry

100% Viscose will shrink if washed.

I'd use a cold water hand wash and laundry liquid for delicates.

I just looked at the reviews and someone - 8/7/24 - says it washed and ironed well.
I'd hand wash it @SockFluffInTheBath and I would bet on it being fine.
Gorgeous dress!

That's a great reduction - £90 to £30. Maybe the problem is the washing instructions.

Thank you, I read some reviews but must have not gone that far back.

Yes, I got both colours!

Thank you everyone for the replies.

I tend to bung everything in the washing machine and hope for the best, it's never failed me so far! I don't like the idea of dry cleaning, to me something isn't really clean unless it's been washed.

AI however did have this advice about that particular fabric

Viscose satin can sometimes be machine washed — but it’s a bit of a diva in the laundry world, so it demands a gentle touch. Here's how to handle it without drama:
🧺 Machine Washing Tips for Viscose Satin

• Check the care label first: If it says “dry clean only,” best to obey — viscose is notorious for shrinking or warping when mishandled.
• Use a delicate cycle: Choose cold water and the gentlest setting your machine offers (like “hand wash” or “wool”).
• Mild detergent only: Harsh chemicals can damage the fibers or dull the sheen.
• Mesh laundry bag: Pop the garment inside to reduce friction and snagging.
• No spin cycle: Or at least a very low one — viscose gets cranky when twisted.

🌬️ Drying & Aftercare

• Air dry flat: Hanging can stretch it out of shape; tumble drying is a no-go.
• Iron inside out: Use a low heat setting and a pressing cloth to avoid scorching the satin finish.

⚠️ Why the Fuss? Viscose is semi-synthetic and highly absorbent, which makes it prone to:

• Shrinking in warm water
• Losing shape with agitation
• Becoming stiff or faded if dried improperly2

If the item is particularly delicate or expensive, hand washing or dry cleaning might be the safer route.

I'd still bung it in the washing machine 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

Gorgeous dress! I'd be tempted to dab the armpits with a wet cloth and air it 'clean' 😊

This dress is viscose lined with polyester. If the viscose does shrink, as pp have mentioned, the polyester may shrink at a different rate. That may not matter with the length, but might with the fitted bodice.

Seasalt normally say things are washable, so this change from normal practise may be significant.

They aren't expensive, so you could try hand washing one first. You'll still have the second if washing ruins the other.

I agree with @irredeemablyperfidious - the viscose may shrink whilst the lining doesn't, as polyester doesn't shrink. It might be okay with cold or cool hand washing, but there's no guarantee.

I have a lovely woollen top from Toast, lined with acetate, that allegedly is dry clean only. I'm going to attempt handwashing with delicate detergent and see what happens.

Some famous fashionista - I think it was Stella McCartney - says she doesn't get clothes washed much (presumably apart from underwear), and if it's good enough for her...Like a PP here, I air clothes on the line every time they're worn, and spot clean any stains (which are rare). Then I wash them strictly as per instructions at the end of the season and store them. it saves a lot of work, and they last longer.

I've just bought it (thank-you for posting about it, amazing colour!) - and will happily bung it on a hand-wash wool setting expecting it to be absolutely fine. Most of the dry clean only items I have, have survived this approach, the other few were too expensive to replace so didn't risk it!

I wash everything. Even very old, very delicate fabrics. Polyester doesn’t shrink, viscose shrinks once dry but can be brought back to size with careful steam ironing. It’s basically the same as Rayon.
Use the silk setting on your machine, or the wool. You can hand wash tepid. Don’t rub the external surface as this dress is satin so that can scuff the smooth texture of the fabric. It will be fine .

I have handwashed with delicate liquid detergent and it's been fine. I've only washed it the once so far, though...

Apparently viscose often shrinks when washed because it is very sensitive to heat and rough action. So if you wanted to risk it, hand wash in cold water only, no tumble drying or heat. Some viscose is preshrunk before making into garments - you could always ask Seasalt if that is the case.

🤔 so dry cleaning doesn’t mean the clothes don’t get wet… it’s just that they’re washed with a liquid solvent, not water. I think the terminology is misleading. Rest assured, things are very much ‘washed’ at the dry cleaners.

video of the process here:

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

Great video, thank you for educating me! I have no idea what I thought happened at these mystery places 🤡

I still don't fancy it, though! I like fannying around with different-scented laundry liquids... and pegging clothes out on the line in the sunshine is surely one of life's greatest pleasures, or is that just me?!

@Beachtastic oh yes, I’m with you on the pegging out. Proper blow through on the line feels like it’s done the clothes some good, somehow 😁

Anything that I have that says dry clean goes in the washer on a hand wash cycle. Never had any problems.

You enabler! I just bought it.

It's a dupe of my wedding dress which I'd love to wear again but it would look a bit mad out and about. Now I have this!

I’ve just ordered it too for a wedding 😂

I will no doubt be back at some point to ask for styling and accessories advice!