Dry Clean Only? Maybe Not! How to Hand Wash Your Clothes 😲

Did you know that many clothes that are labeled as dry clean only can actually be washed at home? It's true! So, in this video, I take you through exactly what can be washed at home, and how to both hand wash and machine wash some of these delicate items.

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Questions? Comments?
We'd love to hear from you - say hello down below!

[whatzupLizzy]

Agreed! Dry cleaning is too expensive and a hassle. I now check labels and hand wash more and more.

[mmmstitch]

I’ve had great success washing several dresses labeled dry clean only. The delicate wash cycle in the washer and air drying on a rack work great. No failures yet!

[cleanmyspace]

Hello CMS Nation!
Ever wonder about those "Dry Clean Only" labels?
Us too, so here's a video all about it

[alisharocks]

Love your videos!! My "funny" dry clean story, I took an outfit to the dry cleaners because I was too scared to wash it because the label said "dry clean only" the dry cleaner melted the buttons on my garment 🙄 so it wasn't the better choice lol

[_lcmj]

When I was a little girl I used to live in Mexico. My grandma used to have a lady that helped her with the household chores and she would take me with her to do laundry ... at a nearby RIVER! i would watch her do laundry and scrub the clothes on a huge rock and rinse them in the river... I'm happy we have washers and driers now 😂 👕👖🧦🏞🌊

[shiplesp]

You can streamline your hand washing just a little bit more by using a wool wash that doesn't need to be rinsed. I'm a hand knitter and many/most of us use something like Eucalan or Soak for our fine hand knits. Plus they come in lovely fragrances or fragrance-free. In a pinch, it is also okay to use a mild dish detergent (I will most often use this with my handknit socks) like Ivory for wool, cashmere, and silk ... though this DOES need to be rinsed thoroughly. We hand knitters are masters of hand washing :)

[cindy]

My mother showed me when young how to wash a sweater wash by hand and roll in towel then hang. A great idea! As u too have shown.

[cathyowens]

A success story: bought a pair of pants that looked like some sort of solid black vertical crepe and I washed on the delicate cycle cold water and it came out just fine! Hung it up and dried great! Have washed it several times! Still looks good! Dry clean only? Not that one!

[cojun]

just wanted to say thanks for your vids. You defenitely belong to the few people who helped me a lot in changing my life in 2019. Thank you so much and I wish you and your family wonderful holidays!

[LoveAtHome]

Thank you for your videos Melissa!! They really helped me become a better homemaker. Your tips helped me save time and money.

[TiMalice]

I ordered a bunch of laundress stuff it makes my sweaters smell so clean and fresh!

[TiMalice]

I love the vinegar soak idea for wool.

[heavymetaljess_]

I work in the fashion industry as a product developer. 60% of the time, the reason something is dry-clean only is trims. Either the trim finish gets damaged quickly in water wash, or the trim damages the fabric or other trims in wash - even by hand. Other than that, it is usually fabric delicacy and dye running. There are LOTS of things that are dry clean only that can be handwashed - and I handwash most of mine at home. Sometimes, though, it is internal construction and in those cases you will likely damage the make and drape of your garment if you hand wash it. If you have a structured dress or jacket, just take it to the dry cleaners.

[terigarrison]

Thank you for a no nonsense, simply explained, no frills video! Love it!

[mariateresacostanzo-byrne]

Hello Melissa, I’m Italian and I love your videos!! They help me with my English as a foreign language.

Do you have Italian ancestors? Your beautiful face reminds me of Florentine Madonnas drawn by Leonardo Da Vinci. Ciao!!

[jackiemedeiros]

My dry cleaning story is: I had a dress that had pleats all around the bottom. I took it to the Dry Cleaners like the label said to do. The next time I wore it someone commented, "you burned your dress!" No not me, I didn't realize it when I put it on, but the Dry Cleaners had scorched my dress when they pressed the pleats. Totally ruined an expensive dress.

[ЛюдмилаЧеркасова-дп]

Melissa, thanks for this video. English isn't my native language and your speech is very pleased for me. I subscribe . All the best for you.

[erinjames]

I received my order for your microfiber I LOVE THEM!!!
By chance are you putting together a car complete cleaning microfiber kit? Fathers Day is a ways off, but that just means there is time to make a kit to sell. I would love to get a car detailing, washing and cleaning kit for interior and exterior for my Dad (and myself). Please consider it :)

[sept]

I have no time for dry cleaning. I work Mon-Fri, I leave home at 8am and come back after 6pm. Most dry cleaners in the UK do not work on Sunday. I always buy work suits that are washing machine washable. Nothing dry-clean only for my normal wardrobe!

[irenafields]

Thanks a lot. I love cashmere sweaters. I avoid to buy it because I have dry cleaner allergic reactions. Love your tips 💕✌️