# Dry clean vs. rain?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-clean-vs-rain/474493>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 25, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-clean-vs-rain/474493 "2008-11-25T23:21:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-clean-vs-rain/474493/1 "2008-11-25T23:21:26Z")

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Would a jacket marked ‘Dry clean only’ be hurt by wearing it in the rain?

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-clean-vs-rain/474493/2 "2008-11-25T23:33:18Z")

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Probably not though if it gets really wet it might need a cleaning/pressing afterwards (jacket like a coat or jacket like a blazer?). It’s not the water so much that causes a problem but the soap and high drying temperatures, I think. I was wearing a blazer marked dry clean only and got caught in the pouring rain. After it dried out it was all wrinkly but came back from the cleaners good as new. I have had lots of other clothing get wet from rain with similar results, including wool.