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How to Avoid the Drycleaners and Take Care of Stuff at Home?

Don Carlos

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Originally Posted by stubloom
Wideknot asks about Dryel and similar dry-clean-at-home products..... Q. What do you have after tumbling your "dry clean only" garments in a dryer for 30 minutes with a scented sheet? A. A dirty garment with a fragranced smell that was slightly less wrinkled 30 minutes earlier.
Even though Stu has a vested interest in the dry cleaning business
wink.gif
, he is right here. Dryel is little more than a slightly larger and more chemical-soaked square of Downy fabric softener. I use it to touch up my ski jackets and such when they're a little ripe, before airing them out. But I would not, under any circumstance, consider it an acceptable substitute for cleaning or dry cleaning.
 

Harold falcon

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I have had good success with the Dryel products. They remove light odors and help to freshen a garment up. True, they are not a substitute for a dry cleaning, but most of your wool clothes only need to be dry cleaned very infrequently. I dry clean only when absolutely necessary.
 

ahe

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At some point you can't avoid dry cleaning for suits.

But for shirts I just wash in the washing machine, dry in the dryer for like 5 minutes and then hang dry and my shirts are fine.
 

bmf895

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All of my cotton shirts go into the washing machine. Then I hang dry and iron while still slightly damp. I have 5 year old shirts that still look brand new. IME shirts that go to the dry cleaners have their life significantly shortened. The pressing machines they use break MOP buttons or melt plastic ones and shirts always come back with shiny spots from the combination of high heat and starch that they use.
 

philosophe

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Originally Posted by bmf895
All of my cotton shirts go into the washing machine. Then I hang dry and iron while still slightly damp. I have 5 year old shirts that still look brand new. IME shirts that go to the dry cleaners have their life significantly shortened. The pressing machines they use break MOP buttons or melt plastic ones and shirts always come back with shiny spots from the combination of high heat and starch that they use.

Yes to all of this.

Avoid washing clothes with a lot of construction--complex waistbands, padding, fusing, canvas, etc. The materials used in construction may react to washing different than the wool, cotton, or linen they support.

Washing and blocking sweaters is fine.
 

mack11211

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I try to use the dry cleaners and launderers as little as possible.

Most cotton shirts can be washed then ironed whilst damp.

Sweaters can be hand washed and dried flat.

Most stains on coats, pants or suits can be removed with a moistened cloth, and wrinkles go away with a bit of steam.

Stained silk ties are hopeless; even a services like TIecrafters leaves them sadly different. Best to wear them under a V neck or vest.

Wrinkled ties can be gently pressed with an iron so long as you use a press cloth above and a cushioned cloth (like a cashmere scarf) below, inserting a scarf tip under the tie tip when you iron that as well.
 

stubloom

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I agree with many of the sentiments expressed in this thread about the negative impact of poor dry cleaning and poor shirt laundry on the life and look of your fine garments. So what's the correct approach? To avoid dry cleaners and shirt laundries altogether or minimize the usage of dry cleaners and shirt laundries? Or is the answer to find a professional garment care specialist who knows how to handle and care for fine garments? As a consumer, I believe you have certain rights when it comes to dry cleaning and shirt laundry and I believe that you should exercise those rights by calling out ordinary dry cleaners and shirt laundries for the mediocre, ordinary work they pass off as "top quality". The vast majority of dry cleaners and shirt laundries in the USA wouldn't recognize "top quality" if it hit them over the head with a 2 x 4. Here's a brief guide to your rights.... Blog post: Your dry cleaning bill of rights http://ravefabricare.com/true-qualit...of-rights.aspx Blog post: Your shirt laundry bill of rights http://ravefabricare.com/true-qualit...of-rights.aspx
 

blahman

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I don't trust my washing machine with my shirt collars and cuffs. I handwash all my shirts. =.=
 

k4lnamja

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Originally Posted by imatlas
Sweaters: hand wash at home. Cold water using Woolite or other gentle soap. Do a google, there are lots of videos on this.

Most shirts can be machine washed in cold, then line dried and ironed.

I stopped sending my shirts out a few years ago. Now they look better (I do a better job on collars than anyone I've found) and I'm easily saving $50 per month.

Edit: wear an undershirt, for crying out loud!


Yes to the undershirt!

I'd wash my items but its too time consuming for me.
 

k4lnamja

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Now I'm contemplating on washing my cottons/staples. But why do you all iron after a few minutes in the dryer and while damp? Is there a care guide or site that explains this.

Cheers
 

Don Carlos

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Originally Posted by k4lnamja
Now I'm contemplating on washing my cottons/staples. But why do you all iron after a few minutes in the dryer and while damp? Is there a care guide or site that explains this. Cheers
The fabric is easier to hold in place and iron while slightly damp than it is while dry. Also, you reduce the risk of scorching. Mainly, though, when a shirt is dry, its wrinkles are "set in" and need a lot of work to flatten out. A wet shirt's wrinkles are more easily smoothed.
 

Russ_H

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Originally Posted by rockofeller
Despite the fatuitous jokes, I'm learning here.

A lot of shirts say dry clean only. As in some nice cotton OCBDs, etc.


I don't remember ever seeing a shirt that was dry clean only, but I'm UK based, so it
might be different in the US.

Most UK shirts suggest a cool machine wash. I don't tumble dry my shirts, I just let
them dry natuarally in a warm room. Ironing when slightly damp works well.

Just out of interest, what does it cost to have a shirt dry cleaned in your part of the
world?

Here is a link you might find useful:

http://community.tmlewin.co.uk/look-...s/iron-a-shirt
 

Sanguis Mortuum

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I don't know why anyone would have cotton shirts dry-cleaned, all mine go in the machine at 30 degrees. Would you have all your socks and boxers dry-cleaned? If not, then why shirts?

Sweaters can be hand-washed, though rarely need to be. Trousers I get dry-cleaned, but they also don't need it very often.
 

Don Carlos

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Only type of shirt I can think of that would need to be dry cleaned would be a silk shirt, and I don't exactly make a habit of owning those.
 

lee_44106

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Originally Posted by stubloom
I often get asked the question "Can I wash my such-and-such garment or do I have to dry clean it?

Without touching on every possible garment/fabric/dye combination, I generally answer that question by telling clients that it's not an issue of CAN, it's an issue of SHOULD. Sure you CAN wash any garment you want to. But the real question you should be asking yourself is SHOULD you be washing that garment? Sure, you can wash your fine wool trouser. But should you?

Ask that question of yourself every time your'e making a wash vs. dry clean decision, and your'e more likely to make the right decision.




I know you are highly touted by Will, and I'm sure you are one of the best in the dry cleaning business. But not everyone lives in Arizona or remotely close to you. And 99% of the dry cleaners out there are just amateurs who buys/leases some equipment and call themselves dry cleaners. I trust them about as far as I can throw a pant presser.


About the only thing I give to the dry cleaner is suits/jackets/wool pants twice a year. Everything else (and I mean everything else, I self clean at home).

Cotton pants....cashmere/cotton pants......no problem
cashmere, merino wool, angora, alpaca sweaters........no problem
cotton shirts....linen shirts......cotton/linen blend shirts........wool shirts........no problem.
 

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