More and more items, even simple T-shirts and jeans, are labeled as “Dry Clean Only”. Many clothing manufacturers recommend the most conservative type of cleaning treatment of the fabric to ensure the best results for the consumer. Dark blue denim jeans may receive the “Dry Clean Only” label to prevent fading or the jeans may have embellishments like leather trim or studs that could cause issues when, in fact, they can be washed just like any jeans. For instance, some fabrics that are labeled as dry clean can be hand washed or cleaned with a do-it-yourself dry clean kit at home, but should you? This is why it is important to note the fiber content of the fabric so you can make an informed laundry decision.
Guidelines to Wash or Dry Clean Clothes
If you are experienced in doing laundry, you have learned the best way to clean clothes through trial and error. The care label, type of fabric, and the way the garment is constructed help you make the decision on how it should be cleaned. If you are a novice at doing laundry or uncertain about what to do when a piece of clothing is label as “Dry Clean Only”, either follow the care label guidelines fully or use these guidelines to help you make a decision. If the answer to any of these 11 questions is “yes”, take your garment to a professional dry cleaner. Remember, just one “yes” means that you should ask someone who is more experienced in doing laundry for a recommendation or head to the dry cleaner!
