In most cases, though, it's perfectly safe. Just make sure you follow our tips for how to take the guesswork out of washing these delicate fabrics at home.
So you have a garment with a dry-clean-only label, but what else does it say? Those little symbols are important. Pay careful attention to the type of fabric that your garment is made of, because that will help you determine how you should proceed.
Pretty much every delicate fabric can be damaged by your home washing efforts. That includes suede, leather, velvet, taffeta, rayon, and anything with fur or down.
Suits, pleated skirts, and anything with significant or oil-based stains are also too tricky to tackle alone. These are all best left to dry cleaning professionals. So what does that leave? Wool, silk, cotton, linen, and durable polyester fabrics are all fair game for home washing. Check out our fabric guide for a detailed list of cleaning procedures.
If you're anxious about the fate of your garment, a spot test will give you some peace of mind. Drip a small amount of water and perhaps the detergent you plan to use onto a small, unseen portion of your garment, then rub a cotton swab across the area. If the fabric's dye stains the cotton swab, it needs to be dry-cleaned. Washing suit jacket linings should also be tested just the same, as these are often visible when worn. Then, rinse it off with cold water and leave it to air dry naturally.
Once the wash is done, take out your suit and lay it out flat to dry. How concerned are you about disinfecting while cleaning? Tips and Warnings. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Check the instructions.
It is very important to always check the instructions before washing the dress pants. The pants could be damaged if you wash them improperly. Take your pants to the dry cleaners if you are worried about damaging the pants. Cotton , wool, and durable polyester are okay to machine wash. Wool, silk, and delicate cotton should be washed by hand.
Test the fabric with water. Do a spot test before washing. Run a small amount of water over a hidden part of the pants. You can also dab on a little of the laundry detergent that you plan to use.
Rub a cotton swab over the fabric. You need to take the pants to the cleaners if any dye rubs off on the cotton swab. Turn the pants inside out. Turning the pants inside out helps to reduce fading and protects the buttons. Once you have turned them inside out, put the pants into a mesh bag.
You can find mesh bags made specifically for laundry at many supermarkets. Wash the dress pants in cold water on the gentle cycle. Put the mesh bag with the pants inside of it into the wash.
Use a mild laundry detergent. Turn the washing machine on to the gentlest cycle available and use cold water. Take the pants out of the washing machine as soon as the cycle has ended. Method 2. Fill the sink with cold water and mild detergent to wash your pants. You can use the sink, a wash basin, or your bathtub to wash the pants. Fill the sink with cold water. Pour in a small amount of mild detergent until the water begins to produce suds.
Saturate your pants in the water and detergent. Dip the pants into the water until they become completely saturated by the water and detergent mixture. You may need to do this up to five times to get more water out of your pants. Sometimes, it may be necessary to use a new, dry towel. Lay your pants out on a clean, flat surface so that they can air dry. You can also use a mesh drying station if you already have one. Do not touch or pick up the pants until they're completely dry.
When your dress pants air dry, you can start ironing them. If your dress pants have pleats, a professional may need to do this part. Otherwise, iron them using your ironing board and device. Consider turning them inside out to iron the pockets first, as this ensures that the pockets are flat. Most people prefer to use the steam setting. During this step, you should focus on taking your time.
If you rush the steaming or ironing process, you may end up with set wrinkles and will have to do it all over again. For most people, the art of hanging dress pants is a tedious and annoying task. You get it over the inside rod, and they slip off when you get them to the closet.
Though there are a variety of hanging techniques, the Saville Row Fold is ideal. Iron the pants if necessary to remove any wrinkles.
Use your steam function and apply gentle pressure in an up-and-down motion rather than a back-to-forth one. Lay the pants on a flat surface. You can consider a table, a desk, or the floor.
It might be best to avoid using carpeted areas or your bed because it might make it more challenging to get the pants folded neatly. Fold your pants along the zipper or the crease, depending on style. Some pants do not have a crease at all, so you just fold them in half using the zipper as a guide. If there is a crease in the pants, make sure that you fold them in half, keeping it on the outer edge.
Do this to one side and then the other, making sure the crease is still aligned. Smooth the pants out to ensure that there are no bulges or wrinkles. Take your hanger and slide it between the legs of the pants. Plastic, flocked, or wooden hangers are best for hanging.
Avoid wire because it could cause wrinkles. This creates the first fold.
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