Dry cleaning clothes at home

Comfortable and practical clothes that can be washed in a machine, and with other things and in different modes - the basis of any wardrobe. That is the easiest way to always look attractive and not spend a lot of time on it. But many things are labeled “Dry Clean Only”. As a rule, they are not intended for daily wear, but for special occasions. How to care for such things so that they serve as long as possible? What tools to use? Is it possible to dry clean clothes at home? You will receive answers to these questions by reading this article.

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Dry cleaning - what is it?

Dry cleaning, better known as chemical or dry cleaning, is the processing of clothing with various substances to clean it from contamination. The difference with washing is that the chemical neutralizes the dirt, and the water dissolves when washing.

Using the dry cleaning method, you can easily remove local stains on the fabric without subjecting the item to washing or thorough rubbing the clean part of the item. Dry cleaning mainly requires products from delicate fabrics: suede, silk, wool and even cotton.

Important! Fabrics such as viscoseacetate silk can be machine washed, but in delicate mode. For more detailed instructions on cleaning these fabrics, see our articles:

• Washing viscose.
• Silk wash.

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What to use for dry cleaning?

All products that are used for home dry cleaning can be divided into 2 categories: natural and chemical.

“Chemistry” or dry cleaning at home

Here is a popular review of popular chemical agents. According to reviews, the most effective ones are:

• “Spot Remover”. Dry stain remover, which helps to quickly and effectively get rid of stains of coffee, fat and many others. Convenient for use on the road, hotels, catering establishments.
• K2r. This is the first aerosol stain remover in the world. It can be used for all types of fabrics like dry-cleaning clothes. Dissolves the stain from the inside.
• Hagerty Dry Cleaner Kit. A kit specifically designed for dry cleaning clothes at home. The kit includes substances for removing contaminants from all types of fabrics and fresheners. The set does not contain hard solvents. All the tools in the kit are adapted for a drum type dryer. After processing things, the materials completely retain their qualities: they do not stretch, do not shrink, and completely retain their color.
• DRYEL. P&G Dry Cleaning Kit. It is considered optimal in terms of quality and price. According to consumer reviews, it is very easy to use, it removes dirt from things well. After processing, the clothes get a pleasant smell.
• Woolite. Gel for cleaning knitted, woolen and knitted clothes. The gel contains no aggressive ingredients. The tool is equally well established for both colored and white things.
• “Minute.” Gel cleaner. Available in tubes. The gel is very easy to use. It is enough to apply it on a stain and wait until it dries completely. For this reason, the “Minute” is ideal for home cleaning clothes. Moreover, it is a very cheap remedy.

Important! The effectiveness of each of these funds for dry cleaning clothes at home is quite high.What to give preference to - focus on your financial capabilities and the frequency of the need to use such cleaners:

1. If you wear expensive silk blouses at work to match the dress code, it is appropriate to buy a more expensive product.
2. If in your family you have to remove children and spots from everything and constantly, the “Minute” is perfect.

Dry cleaning for clothes: natural products

The situation can be even more complicated when the material cannot be treated with chemicals. In addition, the above funds are suitable for people who are principled opponents of the use of chemicals at home:

• Scotch. It is used to clean things from the skin, and removes both fresh and old pollution.
• Brush. Cleans suede items from dirt. It is successfully used for dry cleaning. The best effect is achieved if the item is previously exposed to steam. For sure the effect is positive, read about which suede brush to choose.
• Hydrogen peroxide. Good natural remedy. You can use it on white things.
• Ammonia. Successfully removes many types of contaminants. It is mainly used in the form of ammonia solutions.
• Vinegar. One of the most common natural remedies for refreshing things, for concentrating the color of fabrics of different shades, for removing stains and unpleasant odors.
• Refined gasoline. It dissolves stains well. Effectively fights pollution, but due to the specific smell is rarely used. After cleaning with gasoline, the thing must be aired. If it still retains a smell, you cannot bring it into a room with an open flame.
• Sand. It is used to clean things from fur. The fur is sprinkled with heated sand, and then it is shaken out with the mud. After you have treated the fur coat with sand, you need to comb it with a comb. Sand is also used to process glossy areas on woolen clothes.
• Bran. They are used to clean fur clothes (dry), as well as to remove dirt from items decorated with embroidery. Heated bran is also used to clean stuffed animals.
• Soda. Wonderful natural absorbent, moreover, very affordable.
• Starch. It absorbs dirt well. When used correctly, it successfully fights pollution.
• Talc. Effectively removes greasy stains. It is poured on a stain, tracing paper is put on top and ironed with a hot iron.

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How to clean things yourself?

If dry cleaning of clothes in dry cleaning is not possible (in some settlements this service is not available in principle), then cleaning things at home is not at all difficult. So you will need:

• Washer dryer (in the unit, things are processed with warm air).
• Dry cleaning kit. It includes: stain-removing substance, a cover, a set of moistened and scented wipes. If there is no cover in the kit, a special laundry bag is also suitable. This will allow things to maintain their original shape.

Important! It is recommended that you clean your favorite items whose service life you would like to extend. The advantage of cleaning things at home is that there is no need to remove belts, shoulder pads, buttons, etc.

Which fabrics are best cleaned dry?

• Natural wool (cashmere, angora).
• Natural silk.
• Thin cotton and linen fabrics.
• Acetate silk.
• Velvet.
• Thin knitted fabric.
• Genuine and artificial leather and suede.

Important! Dry cleaning of clothes at home will help to get rid of contaminants things that can suffer even when washing in a delicate mode. These are clothes decorated with embroidery, appliques, sequins, rhinestones.

Start dry wash

Dry-cleaned clothes require preparation:

1. To get started, sort things out. Sorting rules are the same as for regular washing: separate white items from colored items, knitwear from silk.
2. Preferably placed inside case or bag for washing garments approximately the same in weight and size.
3. The most polluted places need to be treated with stain-removing composition.

Important! If the stain is large - it is better not to experiment with stain remover so that it does not damage the tissue. Not all paints are as stable as we would like. First, test the action of the stain remover in a small, inconspicuous area.

Before using dry cleaning products for clothing, be sure to read the instructions.

The cleaning algorithm is as follows:

1. Put dry-cooked items in a bag or case. Do not completely hammer it - clothes should lie freely, for better handling with warm air. Products made from delicate fabrics are first turned inside out.
2. Place wet and fragrant wipes inside the bag. The moisture contained in them is enough for a successful cleaning. A humid environment does not allow things to wrinkle and prevents the formation of creases.
3. Turn on the washing machine drying mode. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Choose the minimum temperature - the most sparing.
4. At the end of the cleaning, hang the clothes on your shoulders so that they retain their shape.

Important! Sometimes it is not immediately possible to remove stains. In this case, you will have to turn to specialists for dry cleaning of clothes in dry cleaning.

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When can I use hand wash?

If the item is made of natural cotton, wool or silk, and the label indicates “only dry cleaning”, the product can be washed manually. This should be done with extreme accuracy, using detergents for delicate fabrics.

Important! When hand-washing things labeled “dry wash only”, you can use only cold water. This will avoid shrinkage.

How to act:

1. When washing, the product must be immersed several times in soapy water.
2. It is necessary to rub very carefully, without brushes and other devices.
3. Next, wash off the soap solution in cold clean water.
4. You can remove water from a delicate thing with a terry towel. First you need to wrap the clothes in a towel, and then several times gently press the resulting roll.
5. Repeat until water stops dripping from the product.
6. Dry such things in a horizontal position, on a towel.

Important! If you are sure that the clothes will not lose their shape, they can be dried on a hanger.

Wet dry cleaning at home as an option for hand washing

For “wet” cleaning things use good quality soap, which is easily soluble in water. A good result is given and laundry detergent for woolen things.

From improvised means, you can prepare your own version of the cleaning composition:

• For 12 liters of water with a temperature of 25 to 30 degrees - 60 g of borax (can be replaced with the same amount of ammonia) and 30 g soda ash.
• For 12 liters of water with a temperature of 25-30 degrees - 60 g of soap and 15 g of soda, ammonia or borax.

How to apply these formulations:

1. To begin with, the thing is soaked in the first solution for 2 hours.
2. Then transferred to the second and gently stretched.
3. After that, soapy water is squeezed out, the clothes are again transferred to the first solution, and then rinsed twice in water at room temperature.
4. At the end of the wash, the item is dipped in vinegar (one teaspoon of vinegar essence per 10-liter bucket of water).
5. Dry clothes after wet washing only on the shoulders.

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Stock footage

The main thing when cleaning things at home is the right choice of the product and its proper use. If you prefer chemicals, carefully read the instructions. If natural, it will take time and effort. The main point: if you are not sure about this or that tool, you can’t use it, it’s better to use dry cleaning services in dry cleaning.