There are a lot of factors to consider that go beyond the tag when deciding if an article of clothing is safe to wash yourself, or if you should take it to dry-cleaning in Orange County like Crystal Clear Cleaners. The tag might give specific washing instructions, but the most important thing to look at is the type of fabric the piece is made out of. Different fabrics can be cleaned in different ways and understanding how this works might help keep your clothes nicer so they last longer. Your washing machine’s quality also plays a role in whether or not something should be dry cleaned, so don’t rely solely on the tag for information. Washing clothes yourself might seem easy, but it could potentially ruin your clothes if they are not properly taken care of.
Fabrics You Can Wash at Home
- Cotton: Most of the time, cotton does not need to be dry cleaned. However, there is a technique you should follow when washing cotton to ensure that you don’t ruin any of your clothes. Make sure you separate whites from colors when you wash in your machine, and use cold or warm water. Assuming your cotton clothes have been preshrunk, drying in a drier is okay to do. Self-washing cotton can sometimes be tedious, so it can always be dry cleaned if there are stains, or if you are worried about washing it properly.
- Synthetic Fabrics: Types of synthetic fabrics that most of the time do not need dry cleaning are acetate, acrylic, polyester, spandex, and nylon. You can wash these materials at home using warm water since they will not shrink. However, it is possible for these materials to accumulate long-lasting wrinkles if the dryer heat and movement is too aggressive. Make sure to set your dryer on a gentle setting to avoid wrinkles, and use a dryer sheet to avoid excess static. If you are worried about wrinkles, or if it is an important article of clothing, the dry cleaners is the safest option.
Fabrics That Need Dry Cleaning
- Linen: You can hand wash Linen in cold water and air dry it, but then you will have to iron it, and this is usually not the best option. Taking it to the dry cleaners in Orange County is the best way for it to stay fresh and clean without ruining its texture.
- Rayon: Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric that is made from purified cellulose fiber. When rayon is washed in warm water, it can very easily lose shape or even shrink. Hand washing rayon in cold water and hanging it up to air dry is a possibility, but taking it to the dry cleaners is the safest and most reliable option.
- Wool: This fabric is very sturdy and should only be dry cleaned. This fabric will shrink very easily, so it is important to get it dry cleaned. It will last much longer this way if it is cared for correctly.
- Silk: Silk is a very luxurious fabric, and in order to always keep it soft and clean without wearing down, it must be dry cleaned. Silk is made out of natural materials, and its dyes can wash out very easily. Dry cleaning is the best way to prevent this. It can be hand washed in cold water, but dry cleaning will ensure that it stays silky and smooth.
Before deciding whether or not you are going to take your clothes to dry cleaning in Orange County or wash it at home, always make sure you check to see what material the article of clothing is.