Is there a safe way to wash Dry Clean clothes in the washer?

Why are some things dry clean only anyway?Is there a safe way to wash Dry Clean clothes in the washer?
It's always a gamble. Some fabrics react to water by loosing their sizing, the stuff that keeps them crisp and thus loose their shape. Spray sizing and ironing may but some back, but just on the surface, not inbetween threads.





Other fabrics will shrink or stretch when they encounter water and nothing will reverse that. Some dry cleaning has special detailing that is ruined when thrashed against the walls of a washer or dryer.





So.......it's up to you. If the clothing has a special way it hangs or falls, no, don't wash. Knits can often be hand washed in cold water and then dried flat on towels, but they will be a bit different looking. Jackets have just too many sections to safely wash unless it is an ';unconstructed'; jacket, that is rather loose and not form fitting and then again cold water, hand wash, steam when dry to get wrinkles out....good luck.





Read those labels before purchasing clothes! I've walked out of stores because the clothes were mainly dry clean.Is there a safe way to wash Dry Clean clothes in the washer?
It is possible to 'dry clean' items at home. It is IMPOSSIBLE to dry clean anything in a washing machine. WATER is, by definition, NOT used for dry cleaning. Report Abuse

OK, the person above me is really stupid.





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';Dry clean'; means that NO water is used. The liquid dry cleaners use is turpentine, is it not? Isn't this why most dry cleaning stores smell like paint stores? *grin* Report Abuse

AALOO CHAAT Report Abuse

The product they're referring to is called ';Dryel.'; It's a bag that you put dry-clean only clothes in, and then throw in the wash. I never used it, just saw the advertisement. You should probably look them up first. Report Abuse

There is a product in the grocery store that can be used for dry clean only clothes but you use it in the dryer. You put your clothes in the bag with a damp dry clean pad and dry for a certain amount of time. I did find out if it says dry clean only, you probably should not wash it, but if it says dry cleaning recommended, you can wash in cold on the gentle cycle. Use Woolite if washing.