How to Dry Clean Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You want to dry clean clothes. Maybe you have clothes that say dry clean only, or you want professional cleaning for suits and dresses. Dry cleaning uses special solvents instead of water to clean clothes without shrinking or damaging delicate fabrics. But not all clothes need dry cleaning, and using it wrong can waste money and damage clothes. Here’s how to dry clean clothes without damage.

Dry cleaning is a cleaning process that uses chemical solvents instead of water to clean clothes. The solvent (typically perchloroethylene or a green alternative) dissolves oils and stains without affecting the fabric. Dry cleaning is used for fabrics that can’t be washed with water, like silk, wool, and structured garments. The key to dry cleaning is knowing what to dry clean, choosing a good dry cleaner, and caring for clothes after cleaning.

To dry clean clothes, check the care label first, choose a reputable dry cleaner, point out stains when dropping off, pick up promptly, remove plastic bags at home, and store in breathable garment bags. Don’t wash dry clean only items at home, don’t leave dry cleaned clothes in plastic bags, and don’t dry clean items that say do not dry clean.

What Works

Check the Care Label First

Check the care label before taking clothes to the dry cleaner:

• Dry clean (circle): Safe for dry cleaning
• Dry clean only (circle with letters): Must be dry cleaned
• Do not dry clean (circle with X): Don’t dry clean

Choose a Reputable Dry Cleaner

Look for dry cleaners with good reviews, experienced staff, and clear pricing. Ask about their solvent (traditional or green alternatives) and their experience with your fabric type.

Point Out Stains When Dropping Off

Tell the dry cleaner about any stains when you drop off clothes. Point out the location and type of stain. This helps them pre-treat properly.

Pick Up Promptly

Pick up clothes as soon as they’re ready. Leaving clothes at the dry cleaner can cause wrinkles and odors.

Remove Plastic Bags at Home

Remove plastic bags from dry cleaned clothes as soon as you get home. Plastic traps moisture and can cause yellowing.

Store in Garment Bags

Store dry cleaned clothes in breathable garment bags (cotton or canvas). Don’t use plastic bags for long-term storage.

Use the Right Products for Home Care

For items you wash at home:

Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle

Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Odor absorber: Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

Laundry sanitizer: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

Ink remover: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

Machine cleaner: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

Can You Hand Wash Dry Clean Only Items?

Some dry clean only items can be hand washed in cold water with Tide Free and Gentle. Test on a hidden area first. Don’t machine wash dry clean only items.

Use Cedar or Lavender

Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to stored dry cleaned clothes to repel moths and add a fresh scent.

Air Out Between Wears

Air out dry cleaned clothes between wears. This removes odors and extends time between cleanings.

What to Avoid

Don’t wash dry clean only items at home. Some items can be hand washed, but most should be dry cleaned. Check the label.

Don’t leave dry cleaned clothes in plastic bags. Plastic traps moisture and can cause yellowing. Remove bags at home.

Don’t dry clean items that say do not dry clean. Some fabrics are damaged by dry cleaning solvents. Follow the label.

Don’t store dry cleaned clothes in damp areas. Damp areas cause mold and mildew. Store in a cool, dry place.

Don’t forget to point out stains. The dry cleaner needs to know about stains to pre-treat them.

Don’t leave clothes at the dry cleaner too long. This can cause wrinkles and odors. Pick up promptly.

Don’t dry clean too often. Frequent dry cleaning can damage fabrics and fade colors. Clean only when needed.

Don’t use home dry cleaning kits for all items. Home kits work for freshening but not for heavy stains. Use a professional for stains.

What Can Be Dry Cleaned?

Fabric	Dry Clean?	Hand Wash?	Notes
Silk	Yes	Sometimes	Check label for hand wash option
Wool	Yes	Sometimes	Check label for hand wash option
Cashmere	Yes	Yes	Hand wash in cold water
Suits	Yes	No	Structured garments need dry cleaning
Coats	Yes	No	Structured garments need dry cleaning
Linen	Yes	Yes	Can be hand or machine washed
Leather	Yes	No	Needs special leather cleaning
Beaded items	Yes	No	Beading can be damaged by water

Comparison: Dry Cleaning vs Home Washing

Feature	Dry Cleaning	Home Washing
Water	No	Yes
Solvent	Chemical solvent	Water and detergent
Best for	Silk, wool, suits, structured garments	Cotton, synthetics, everyday clothes
Cost	$5 to $20 per item	Cost of detergent and utilities
Shrinkage	No	Possible if wrong settings
Stain removal	Professional	DIY
Convenience	Drop off and pick up	At home
Frequency	Only when needed	Regular

FAQ

What is dry cleaning? Dry cleaning is a cleaning process that uses chemical solvents instead of water to clean clothes. It’s used for fabrics that can’t be washed with water, like silk, wool, and structured garments.

What clothes should be dry cleaned? Clothes with a dry clean label (circle symbol). This includes suits, silk blouses, wool sweaters, structured dresses, and items with delicate trim.

Can you wash dry clean only clothes at home? Some items can be hand washed in cold water with Tide Free and Gentle. Test on a hidden area first. Don’t machine wash dry clean only items.

How much does dry cleaning cost? Most dry cleaners charge $5 to $20 per item. Prices vary by item type and location.

How often should you dry clean clothes? Dry clean only when needed. Suits and coats can be aired out between wears and dry cleaned 2 to 4 times per season. Silk blouses should be cleaned after each wear.

References

1. The Spruce. “Dry Cleaning Guide.” thespruce.com.
2. Good Housekeeping. “Dry Cleaning Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
3. Consumer Reports. “Dry Cleaning Guide.” consumerreports.org.
4. Tide. “Dry Clean Guide.” tide.com.