Dry Clean Only?
 

Cosmo had an article out years ago that talked about how a lot of clothing is marked with a dry clean only tag that doesn't have to be. The manufacturers just get dry clean tag happy. Cosmo listed some fabrics that could be hand washed and fabrics that must be dry cleaned. Does anyone know what fabrics can be hand washed without being damaged?

cashmere

What about velvet?

I send my laundry out anyway . .

I drop my stuff off with the dude who works at the drycleaning place, he measures it and tells me how many pounds it is. Then he tells me it will be ready in 3 days and I tell him how I'm out of clothing and how I'd really love it if it was ready tomorrow morning. The next day I pick it up and it ends up costing me barely more than 10% than washing it at the laundromat - probably even less since I don't lose opportunity time, pay for detergents, have to be worried that some freak will pee in my dryer (it happens), etc.

-Rudey

Great...another fear to add to my "Fears About Doing Wash at Stockton College List"
right behind someone stealing my underwear (which some FREAK stole at least 10-15 pairs last semester) and taking my clothes out of the dryer before they are dry

Re: Dry Clean Only?
 

I honestly am not sure, but I've ruined not one, but two, articles of clothing washing them in the machine on extra gentle cycle and hanging them up to dry! They shrunk! So now when it says "dry clean only", I listen!

Ack! I'm scared of panty stealing too! I'm also scared that someone will take my laundry out of the dryer when it's done and my underwear will end up all over the laundry room.

who is going to steal panties?

Dude, someone stole hers. Panty stealers abound!

Some jerk stole my best bra out of the dryer my freshman year. Grr!

I'd really like to know what I can and can't dry clean too, because that would save me quite a bit of money!

Guys like to pee on things when they're tanked so it's not our fault.

-Rudey
--And it's only freakish if you spill on yourself...otherwise, you're good to go.

I have my laundry done for me. But, there are a few things (like wool coats and velvet clothing) that I will have dry-cleaned.

I also send my laundry out as we have two washers in my building for over 100 people. The machines are GROSS and the laundry room is creepy as hell.

You can always try Dryel, I used it before and all my stuff turned out lovely. I can't use it now as the dryers are disgusting.

I often handwash with Woolite even if it says dry clean. Exceptions are suit like material, jackets. Often what I will do is handwash the item, hang it up to dry then take it to the cleaners to get the wrinkles out (I have some shirts that just look better after having the cleaners press them).