beltfed80
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- Feb 12, 2011
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I am assuming a similar thread already exists, but I was unable to find it. I was wondering WHY is it not ok to hand wash a suit? I have read again and again in the forums not to do it, but have found no real explanations. I have a wool/cashmere suit that had developed such a shine that it was about to be retired. I read on a few sites that hand washing with a bit of vinegar would get rid of the shine on wool fabric. Since I had nothing to lose, I gave it a try and there was no bleeding of color into the water and the shine was almost completely gone. After pressing, the trousers look fine.
On other websites the only reasons listed for not hand washing wool trousers was the issue of pressing the cuffs, creases, linings and pleats. I do not understand how "dry cleaning" with chemicals is better for the wool than cold water and Woolite. I am sure there is a good reason. I just have not been able to find it anywhere. I am assuming that suits used to be cleaned with water before dry cleaning was invented. So Why is hand washing bad?
By the way, I do not want to start hand washing my suits instead of having them properly cleaned.
On other websites the only reasons listed for not hand washing wool trousers was the issue of pressing the cuffs, creases, linings and pleats. I do not understand how "dry cleaning" with chemicals is better for the wool than cold water and Woolite. I am sure there is a good reason. I just have not been able to find it anywhere. I am assuming that suits used to be cleaned with water before dry cleaning was invented. So Why is hand washing bad?
By the way, I do not want to start hand washing my suits instead of having them properly cleaned.