Most of us prefer to do our own laundry as it’s easier and quicker to do so. But when it comes to cleaning your heavily sequinned dresses or the expensive coat your husband purchased last winter, hand and machine wash should be the last resort! Cleaning them at home will not only harm the delicate fabric but also ruin their shape or fitting. Hence, dry cleaning them will serve your purpose here.

Let’s find out the fabric and the type of outfits you should get dry cleaned.

6 Outfits or Fabrics That Should be Dry Cleaned Only

The modern dry cleaning process uses processes that can actually extend the life of many of your clothes. In the case of some clothes, that is a no-brainer. You would always want your suit, jacket or wedding dress cleaning to be perfect. Larger bedding and related items like quilts and blankets are also difficult to wash at home. However, there is more to this than simply dropping off your clothes at the cleaners. Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the details.

Clothes That Should be Dry Cleaned

1. Suits
   
   The most common question about dry cleaning suits is how frequently should they be cleaned? There is no clear-cut answer to that question. It depends on how frequently you wear them, do you wear them in dusty environments? or do you tend to sweat more than normal? Depending on the answers to these questions, you should get your suit dry cleaned anywhere on a weekly to bi-monthly basis.

   The next most important factor in dry cleaning suits is the bubbling that sometimes occurs along the inner lining. Modern suits use a fused material interlining. While this has improved the quality of the garment, the glue used to adhere them to the fabric does degrade over time. It also comes loose with the solvents used in the dry cleaning process. This is what causes the bubbling along the seams. It is usually rectified after a wash with heat and steam that re-bonds the glue. However, not all dry cleaners do a steam treatment. This means that if you use such a dry cleaning service regularly, you suits will get severely damaged. The only way to get past this is to ensure that your dry cleaner uses proper steam treatment during their dry cleaning process.

2. Wedding Dress

   Wedding dress cleaning is not something you want to undertake at home. This particular dress holds a very special place in everyone’s cupboard and you would want to preserve it for years to come. Dry cleaning is the best option here. Dry cleaning solvents do not damage the fabric, or the various accessories used to decorate the clothing.

3. Raincoats

   We ignore them since we only use them occasionally. But raincoats can be incredibly difficult to clean since they are designed to be water repellent. While thin materials can be washed after a good soak in detergent, thicker materials do not respond to this treatment. Dry cleaners can get them cleaned without damaging the waterproofing materials, the inner lining, and the shape of your raincoats.

4. Curtains, Beddings and Blankets

   While you can probably manage to wash your sheets at home, thicker curtains and bed-sheets pose more of a challenge. Blankets and quilts are other examples of things you do not want to get wet. Thankfully, dry cleaners can handle them all without any problem. Most dry cleaners also provide an anti-dust mite treatment. Waterproofing treatment on your curtains can also do wonders to keep their colour intact.

Fabrics That Should be Dry Cleaned

1. Leather and Suedes

   These are two materials that everyone knows are not meant to be washed with water. However, many garments made from leather and suede can be dry cleaned. Some dry cleaners even offer special polishing and finishing services for these garments.

2. Special Synthetics and Composites

   Some fabrics don’t handle water very well. Synthetics like polyester, spandex, and nylon can be easily washed at home. However, rayon and other acetate-based polymers tend to shrink and re-form when washed in water. it’s better to let your dry cleaners handle such clothes.

Apart from the items discussed here, there may be other regular garments that you are unsure of. If you are ever in doubt, refer to the care label or consult a dry cleaner. Cashmere and other soft fabrics are best washed at home.

[You can also read : 5 Ways To Ensure Your Wardrobe Is Winter-Ready]