The Daily OrangeFact or Myth: Dry-clean only?
By Brendan McMorrow
Posted: 1/26/06, 12:29 AM EST Section: Pulp
Handles and thirties do not come cheap, and neither does getting that sweater dry-cleaned after you drunkenly spilled a can of Keystone all over yourself. "Dry-Clean Only": three words capable of emptying your wallet. When it comes to that dreaded tag sticking out of the back of your delicates, does dry-clean only really mean dry-clean only?
"Well there really isn't a simple answer to that question," said Wayne, who declined to give his last name, from Patrick's Cleaners in Syracuse. "The truth is it isn't very uncommon to hand wash those 'dry-clean only' fabrics at home."
Wayne added you can always test a garment first by taking a white tarry cloth towel dipped in cold water and rubbing gently on the area to see if dry-cleaning is necessary.
"The reason why some clothing says 'dry-clean only' is because a washing machine might cause the material to come out more wrinkled and cause the dye within the fabric to fade or run," Wayne said. "Mud and dirt can be removed by hand washing, but if you've got a grease or oil stain, dry cleaning will probably do a better job at removing the spot."
So if you've got a little extra cash to throw around or if you're like me and couldn't tell the difference between a dark and light load when you got to college, just play it safe and get it dry-cleaned.
"Well there really isn't a simple answer to that question," said Wayne, who declined to give his last name, from Patrick's Cleaners in Syracuse. "The truth is it isn't very uncommon to hand wash those 'dry-clean only' fabrics at home."
Wayne added you can always test a garment first by taking a white tarry cloth towel dipped in cold water and rubbing gently on the area to see if dry-cleaning is necessary.
"The reason why some clothing says 'dry-clean only' is because a washing machine might cause the material to come out more wrinkled and cause the dye within the fabric to fade or run," Wayne said. "Mud and dirt can be removed by hand washing, but if you've got a grease or oil stain, dry cleaning will probably do a better job at removing the spot."
So if you've got a little extra cash to throw around or if you're like me and couldn't tell the difference between a dark and light load when you got to college, just play it safe and get it dry-cleaned.
