Here’s how to dry clean your clothes at home – no more trips to the dry cleaners!

This is a rather unknown topic and it is more frequent than you think, and we all have in our closet pajamas, everyday, sports and casual clothes that are easily washed in the washing machine, but when laundry day comes and we come across garments with the label “…”. dry cleaning only “The first thing we think is to go out and take it to the dry cleaners, when it is not really necessary, besides, it is not that cheap.

Generally, textile manufacturers place a label indicating the relevant precautions to care for and extend the useful life of each fabric. One of these cares is this washing, which consists of cleaning them with the minimum amount of water – or no water at all – in order to prevent mistreatment or irreparable damage to the fabric.

You may think that this type of garment cleaning can only be performed by a laundry, but this is not the case! Today we tell you how to dry clean clothes at home easily, quickly and with products that you can find in any supermarket.

How to dry clean clothes at home?

These are usually sophisticated and fine clothes that must be treated delicately so as not to spoil their shape and color, -which often happens with coats, dresses and even stuffed animals-. That is why we entrust the laundry with this task every time we wear them, and although it is undeniable that they do their job very well, it is no secret that it means spending a good sum of money repeatedly and that you can save it, so, if you have asked yourself: How is dry cleaning done? Read on and learn how to do it in a few easy steps.

Although in the past we showed you how to prepare homemade fabric softener, it is not suitable in this case. The first thing to keep in mind is that these types of fabrics should not be washed at high temperatures, much less spin-dried. Likewise, you will need a home dry cleaning kit; one of these special products are dry cleaning sprays, which are effective in removing small visible stains on delicate garments without having to take it to the dry cleaners.

How to dry clean garments in washing machine

And although it may seem contradictory, it is possible. This is because most washing machines nowadays have a “gentle wash” program , which is ideal for firm fabrics that do not wrinkle and do not mark when folded, such as linen, cotton or polyester. There are even innovative washing machines with active oxygen-based washing technology specifically designed for dry cleaning programs.

The first step is to check the garment’s label, so you will know exactly the right way to wash it for the first time. For dry cleaning in the washing machine, make sure that the water is cold so as not to damage the fibers or any other element that may be damaged. Then, do the following:

1. Take the clothes to the washing machine and select the gentlest or “delicate” cycle.
2. Add a little mild detergent and run it.
3. Once the cycle is finished, remove the garments and open them in a flat place or hang them on hangers.

How to dry clean by hand

I am convinced that on more than one occasion you have read “hand wash” on more than one garment. This is intended to prevent you from ruining delicate fabrics by mindlessly throwing them in the washing machine or scrubbing them mercilessly.

One of them are the natural fibers of silk, cashmere and wool, which can be soaked in cold water without being damaged, however, they wrinkle and to make them look impeccable, it is pertinent to iron them with dedication. In fact, if you search the web for “How to dry clean a jacket or coat“, this is the recommended way. Note the steps to follow:

1. Fill a basin with cold water and add a little mild soap.
2. Mix so that they are integrated and some foam appears.
3. Immerse the garment and soak it completely, carefully rubbing with your fingertips the dirtiest areas where dirt accumulates and those “strange smells” appear, such as armpits, collar and cuffs.
4. Once this is done, get rid of the soapy water and fill the basin again with cold water, but this time without detergent. Gently rinse the garment until the soapy water and suds are released.
5. It is time for drying. To do this, you will need 3 or 4 towels, -be calm, they will not get dirty, their purpose will be to remove excessive humidity-. Open a dry towel and spread the garment on it, then roll it up with pressure, but without twisting or squeezing too tightly. Repeat this process a couple of times with the remaining dry towels.
6. Finally, spread it on a smooth surface or hang it on a hanger to finish drying.

And what is the washing process with a dry cleaning kit?

Now that you know how to dry clean by washing machine and by hand, it’s time to learn how these useful – and effective – dry cleaning kits work. You can get it at any dry cleaner’s, supermarket line or drugstore. They usually contain a deodorizing stain remover, a cleaning sheet and a bag to store the garments to be dry cleaned, in addition to that, some include a small brush to remove dirt more easily.

1. The first step is to spray some of the stain remover on the soiled areas and rub a little with your fingertips.
2. Then, place the garment in the special laundry bag together with a dry cleaning sheet.
3. Put it in the washing machine to spin or in the dryer, always selecting the gentlest drying cycle!
4. Finally, take the garment out of the bag and open it in a flat place or hang it on a hanger so that it loses all moisture. And that’s it!

And if nothing has worked or you are afraid of damaging the fabric of your clothes, you have no choice but to turn to professional laundry services. Although these tricks are effective and are an excellent cost-saving alternative, some fabrics such as viscose, rayon, leather or suede should be left in the hands of experts in the area to ensure that their condition, color and texture will be maintained over time.