I’m sick of paying the high price of dry cleaning. Should I throw all of my “dry clean only” items in the mahine with the rest o’ my fine washables. What’s the difference between “dry clean” and “dry clean” only?
If it says “dry clean” and doesn’t describe any alternative cleaning methods, that means the same as dry clean only. Some things say “may be dry cleaned” and list other options, in which case, do either.
I would not wash any silk, wool, or rayon that is labeled dry clean only. Those fabrics tend to get distorted by water. Also, some silk gets permanent waterspots.
Sometimes if I have an item that is older or that I got on sale, I will give it a “sink or swim” wash. That is, I make up my mind that I wouldn’t want to keep it if it requires dry cleaning. Economically, the marginal benefit of wearing it is less than the marginal cost of cleaning it. If it survives the washer, then I know I have a washable item of clothing. If it doesn’t, I have nothing. I do this more for stuff that says hand wash than dry clean, though.
Some other things to consider are how much control you have over your washer. I have a washer with a very gentle cycle that the manufacturer claims is equivalent to hand washing. I put clothes in it that I would not put through a laundromat machine. Also, consider how much of a value add pressing is to you. Because even if the dry clean only items survive the wash, you will need to iron very carefully to get that professional pressed look.
One money saving option for things you don’t need pressed (like wool sweaters) is called bulk cleaning. Ask your dry cleaner if they have a bulk rate. It’s often available but not advertised and is about half the cost of regular dry cleaning.
Finally, there are more and better fabrics out there that don’t need to be dry cleaned. You may pay a little more up front, but consider the total cost of ownership, like you would do with a car.
Also, Dryel is still out there, for items that are dry clean only and just need refreshing. Way cheaper than dry clean on a per item basis.
In my experience, the absolute worst thing you can wet clean is anything that has a lining in it.
I have 2 suits that I used to regularly clean with Dryel. That is, until I started noticing that tiny little pinholes were appearing (and I only ever put suits in there) in them. I have been dry-cleaning my suits ever since, and have not experienced the same problem.