How Do You Dry Clean Clothes at Home: Settings, Products, and Timing

You want to dry clean clothes at home. Maybe you want to save money, or you don’t have time to go to the dry cleaner. While true dry cleaning uses chemical solvents, you can freshen and clean some dry clean only items at home with the right products and methods. Here’s how to dry clean clothes at home.

Dry cleaning at home is the process of cleaning dry clean only clothes without using chemical solvents. Home dry cleaning uses at home dry cleaning kits, steam, and gentle hand washing to freshen and clean clothes. Home dry cleaning is not as effective as professional dry cleaning for heavy stains, but it works well for freshening, light soil, and removing odors.

To dry clean clothes at home, check the care label first, use an at home dry cleaning kit for freshening, use steam for wrinkles and odors, hand wash in cold water for light soil, and air dry. Don’t machine wash dry clean only items, don’t use hot water, and don’t use the dryer. For heavy stains, take clothes to a professional dry cleaner.

What Works

Use an At Home Dry Cleaning Kit

At home dry cleaning kits (like Dryel) include a cleaning cloth and a dryer bag. Place clothes and the cleaning cloth in the bag, run the dryer on medium heat for 30 minutes. The cloth releases a cleaning vapor that freshens clothes.

Use Steam for Wrinkles and Odors

Steam removes wrinkles and kills bacteria and odors. Use a garment steamer or hang clothes in the bathroom while you shower. The steam freshens clothes and removes wrinkles.

Hand Wash in Cold Water

Some dry clean only items can be hand washed in cold water with Tide Free and Gentle. Test on a hidden area first. Gently swirl in cold water for 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t wring. Press water out with a towel. Air dry flat.

Use a Fabric Freshener Spray

Use a fabric freshener spray to remove odors between cleanings. Spray lightly and let air dry.

Use Baking Soda for Odors

Place clothes in a bag with Arm and Hammer Baking Soda overnight. Baking soda absorbs odors. Shake off before wearing.

Air Out Between Wears

Air out dry clean only clothes between wears. Hang in a well ventilated area to remove odors and extend time between cleanings.

Use the Right Products

Detergent (for hand washable items): Tide Free and Gentle

Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray (test first), Dawn Ultra Dish Soap (for grease), Amodex Ink and Stain Remover (for ink)

Laundry sanitizer: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

Machine cleaner: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

General stain remover: Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam (test first)

Spot Clean Stains

For small stains, spot clean with a clean cloth and mild soap. Blot from the outside in. Don’t rub. Test on a hidden area first.

Use Cedar or Lavender

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

What to Avoid

Don’t machine wash dry clean only items. Machine washing can shrink, damage, or ruin dry clean only fabrics. Hand wash only if the label allows.

Don’t use hot water. Hot water can shrink and damage delicate dry clean only fabrics. Use cold water.

Don’t use the dryer. Dryer heat shrinks and damages delicate fabrics. Air dry on a flat surface.

Don’t use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach strips color and damages fibers. Don’t use on dry clean only items.

Don’t use regular detergent. Regular detergent can be too harsh. Use Tide Free and Gentle for hand washable items.

Don’t wring or twist. Wringing and twisting damage delicate fibers. Press water out with a towel.

Don’t use at home kits for heavy stains. At home dry cleaning kits freshen clothes but don’t remove heavy stains. Use a professional for heavy stains.

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

Comparison: Home Dry Cleaning vs Professional Dry Cleaning

Feature	Home Dry Cleaning	Professional Dry Cleaning
Solvent	Cleaning vapor or water	Chemical solvent
Cost	$5 to $10 per kit (multiple uses)	$5 to $20 per item
Stain removal	Light stains only	All stains
Freshening	Yes	Yes
Wrinkle removal	Steam	Professional pressing
Convenience	At home	Drop off and pick up
Best for	Freshening, light soil	Heavy stains, structured garments

What Can Be Dry Cleaned at Home?

Fabric	Home Dry Clean?	Hand Wash?	Notes
Silk	Sometimes	Sometimes	Test first, use cold water
Wool	Sometimes	Sometimes	Use cold water, reshape flat
Cashmere	Yes	Yes	Hand wash in cold water
Polyester	Yes	Yes	Can be machine washed
Rayon	Sometimes	Sometimes	Test first
Linen	Yes	Yes	Can be hand or machine washed
Structured garments	No	No	Take to professional
Leather	No	No	Take to professional

FAQ

How do you dry clean clothes at home? Use an at home dry cleaning kit for freshening, steam for wrinkles and odors, hand wash in cold water for light soil, and air dry. For heavy stains, take to a professional.

Can you wash dry clean only clothes at home? 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.

What is an at home dry cleaning kit? An at home dry cleaning kit includes a cleaning cloth and a dryer bag. Place clothes and the cleaning cloth in the bag, run the dryer on medium heat for 30 minutes. The cloth releases a cleaning vapor that freshens clothes.

Does steam clean dry clean only clothes? Steam freshens dry clean only clothes by removing wrinkles and killing bacteria and odors. It doesn’t remove stains but extends time between cleanings.

When should you take clothes to a professional dry cleaner? Take clothes to a professional for heavy stains, structured garments (suits, coats), leather, and items that say do not dry clean. Home dry cleaning is best for freshening and light soil.

References

1. Tide. “Dry Clean at Home Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Home Dry Cleaning Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Dry Cleaning Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Dryel. “Home Dry Cleaning Guide.” dryel.com.