How to wash clothes labeled "Dry Clean Only"

In order for our items to serve you as long as possible, you need to take proper care of them. First of all, it rocks washing. Sometimes you can see on the label of a garment that it can only be dry cleaned. What to do in this case and how can you clean a delicate fabric item without damaging it?

Dry wash – what is it and what fabrics is it suitable for?

Dry washing is usually called a method of cleaning it from stains and other contaminants, using products that do not need to be dissolved in water. The advantage of this cleaning method is that the fabric will not be deformed, unlike conventional washing.

This cleaning method is suitable for:

• natural and some types of artificial silk;
• knitwear;
• natural wool, especially cashmere or angora;
• things made of fine linen or cotton;
• leather and suede;
• velvet.

Even a delicate washing mode can damage items with complex decor (embroidery with beads, rhinestones, hand embroidery). For them, it is preferable to use home dry cleaning. It is also recommended for use by anyone who wants to extend the life of their favorite item. Its advantages include the fact that you do not need to remove elements such as buttons, shoulder pads, etc.

How is it carried out?

For dry washing you will need:

1. Washing machine with clothes drying function. In it, things can be processed with air.
2. A special set of products, which usually includes a cover, wet wipes, and stain remover.

You can also find kits on sale that include a gel that dries quickly, after which you just need to shake the item to remove the stain.

As before any washing, things need to be sorted. To do this, white ones are separated from colored ones, and knitted ones from silk ones. This is necessary so that the colored item does not fade onto the white one, and wool fibers do not get on other fabrics and you do not have to clean them additionally. It is recommended to place items of approximately the same size and weight in a bag intended for washing.

If the item is heavily soiled, then before placing it in the washing machine, such areas must be additionally treated with a proven stain remover. If this is your first time using such a solution, then test it on a small piece of fabric from the inside out, on the seam tape, under the waistband, or in any other inconspicuous area so as not to harm the product. To do this, using a small swab, the product is carefully applied to the fabric and if after 5-10 minutes nothing happens, then you can safely apply it to the stain.

When dry washing items, follow some rules:

1. Place pre-sorted items in a bag. Leave some space in it, as things need access to be fully air-conditioned.
2. Place a few wet wipes with your items. During the washing process, the moisture will evaporate from them, which will protect the clothes from drying out and help straighten out creases or folds on them.
3. Set your machine to Dry mode and turn it on. The air temperature and processing time should be minimal (no more than 30 minutes).
4. To prevent clothes from losing their original shape, they should be carefully hung on hangers after washing.

Using natural cleaning products

If your washing machine does not have a Dry function, delicate fabrics can be cleaned using other methods. They can also be used for any clothing if one of your family members is allergic to laundry detergents. For this you can use:

1. Scotch. It will help eliminate any blemishes on the skin.
2. Baking soda. It is a natural sorbent that can absorb dirt. In addition, this dry cleaning method is very affordable.
3. Starch. By absorbing dirt, this product is able to cope with most types of dirt.
4. Brush. Can be an effective assistant in cleaning suede and similar materials.
5. Fine sand copes well with fur contamination. To do this, you need to heat it in the oven and sprinkle it on the fur item. After gentle shaking, there will be no dirt left on the fur.
6. Petrol. Due to the fact that this product has a pungent odor and is highly flammable, it is used when radical cleaning methods are needed. But despite this, gasoline, which is an excellent solvent, effectively removes even large and old stains.
7. Turpentine. Due to the fact that it is not as flammable as gasoline, it is used much more often. It has shown its effectiveness in removing stains from oil paint or varnish. But for cleaning, only purified turpentine is suitable, which does not contain resins that could ruin your item.
8. Hydrogen peroxide. This is an affordable and natural product that is a solvent.It will be most effective for snow-white and light-colored items.
9. Ammonia is considered to be a universal stain remover. But before use, you need to mix it with water or use an ammonia solution.
10. Every housewife has acetic acid. Using it you can effectively refresh your clothes.

Special solutions for cleaning clothes

Today on sale you can find a huge number of special chemicals designed for dry washing. Among them are:

1. Dry stain remover "Spot Remover". It removes fat and traces of sweet drinks, so it is relevant for cafes and restaurants.
2. Stain remover in the form of Minutka gel. To use it, squeeze a small amount of gel from the tube onto the dirt and wait until it dries completely. After this, all you have to do is remove the residue, which is easy to do with a soft cloth.
3. Woolite gel is perfect for wool, knitwear and other similar fabrics. The gel contains absolutely no aggressive substances, so it is suitable even for colored fabrics that are subject to shedding.
4. Set "Hagerty. Dry Cleaner Kit.” It contains active components that not only remove various stains, but also perfectly refresh the fabric. This product can be used for dry washing in a washing machine. Clothes washed using this set will retain their original shape and color. It can be used for items made of silk, synthetics, linen, cotton and wool.
5. K2r spray is one of the few stain cleaners available in aerosol form.After spraying it onto the stain, the substance penetrates the fibers of the fabric and dissolves the substance embedded in them. Suitable for all types of fabric.

Dry washing items at home is not difficult. If you decide to use special cleaners from the store, first read the instructions for their use. When choosing natural stain removers, be prepared for the fact that it may take time and a little force to remove the stain.