With school and work schedules back in full swing, your dry cleaning bill may be eating into your monthly budget. Not sure you need to take so many items to the dry cleaner? Real Simple magazine gives us three things to consider before tossing our clothes into the dry cleaning pile:
Read the Label
If the tag says DRY CLEAN ONLY, obey it. If it says DRY CLEAN, that means that it is recommended but is not the only method for getting the garment clean.
Consider the Fabric
Unless the label suggests otherwise, silk, acetate, velvet, wool, and taffeta items should go to the dry cleaner. Cotton, linen, cashmere, polyester, acrylic, and nylon can usually be washed at home. Be sure to check colorfastness first by putting some mild detergent on a cotton swab and dabbing it on a hidden seam to see if any dye comes off.
It’s in the Details
Care instructions are usually for fabric only, not the accents. Before you wash anything with beading, sequins, etc., make sure they are sewen on (not glued) and colorfast (see above).
If you do decide to wash your garments at home, click here for tips.
Talk to us: What items do you always take to the dry cleaner?
Photo by Tim Wright on Unsplash