By the end of the day, most of your dirty clothes end up in their assigned place, which is mostly a tool or chair in the bedroom. It finally reaches the washing machine basket by the end of the week. However, there are some clothes, mostly made of wool, velvet, silk, etc. that cannot follow the same process. These materials need some extra care and cannot go through the strenuous handling of the washing machine. Thus, they need to be dry cleaned. The idea of dry cleaning at home might seem tricky at first, but we are here to guide you through it. This would not only save you from the long, winding dry cleaning bills.
What is the meaning of Dry cleaning?
Dry cleaning is the process of cleaning fabrics of stains and odors using solvents rather than water. Because this method of cleaning the clothes does not require water, it is known as dry cleaning.
Which types of clothes should be dry cleaned?
Mostly clothes with heavy embroidery work or sequins, or clothes made of materials like wool, silk, satin, velvet, etc. should be dry cleaned. You should check your clothing tag to check if the manufacturer recommends “dry clean only” or dry clean along with other methods.
What happens if you hand wash/machine wash clothes that require dry cleaning?
Your expensive and coveted clothes can suffer great damage if you machine/hand wash them when they are strictly required to be dry cleaned. These fabrics can shrink and distort in water or due to wringing during handwashing. Machine /handwashing can also spoil intricately embroidered clothes.
Which clothes should never be attempted for dry cleaning at home?
You should never take a chance with clothes and jackets made of leather or suede. These clothes require special techniques that should be taken care of only by professional cleaners.
How to dry clean clothes at home?
There are different methods of dry cleaning at home. Without burning a hole in your pocket and destroying your beloved outfits, you can clean them on your own and they will be as good as new.
One method of dry cleaning at home is steam cleaning. You need to use a steam cleaner for this method. Steam irons aren’t too costly, and you can treat this as a one-time investment for your do-it-yourself dry cleaning at home. Here is a step-by-step guide to dry cleaning your clothes at home:
Things required:
● Liquid detergent
● Paper towel/Microfibre cloth
● Steam cleaner
● Keep both hot and cold water ready
Spot Treatment for Removing Stains:
You can treat the stains on clothes made of delicate fabrics like velvet and silk with this very simple method.
Step 1: Make the paper towel/microfibre cloth a little damp with water and the liquid detergent, wring off the excess water.
Step 2: Dab the cloth in the affected areas to remove the stain.
Step 3: Continue the process until the stain vanishes.
Using a Steam Cleaner:
When you do not want to risk your delicates directly to harsh liquid detergents, a steam iron is your go-to. You can put some detergent suitable for delicates in the steam iron and then steam your garments. This would not only help clean your clothes in a jiffy but will also keep them smelling fresh and ready to wear!
When should you use hot water, warm water and cold water for washing clothes?
Hot water should be mostly used while washing white clothes and when the clothes are very dirty. It is effective in washing off germs and dirt from clothes. However, not every type of fabric can be washed in hot water, as the high temperature might cause them to shrink and distort. Therefore, read the label in your clothes before washing.
Warm water (around 90°F) can be used to wash knits, jeans, and regular clothes made of cotton and linen. It is very suitable for washing several types of materials without causing any shrinking or fading. However, you should be careful as the colors of bright clothes might bleed.
Coldwater (80°F) is suitable for washing bright clothes without causing them to bleed or distort. It can also be used for spot treatment to remove stains caused by food or beverages.
How to remove lint/bobbles on clothes?
You might have often observed pills or bobbles forming on daily wear garments. These can spoil the look and aesthetics of your clothes. So how to remove it? A common hack is using a razor to remove the bobbles on clothes. However, if you do not want to take any risks, you can get a lint shaver and shave all the pilling off your beautiful clothes.
How to wash linens?
You can wash your linens in cold water and air-dry them. Press your linen garments immediately after drying as they might get wrinkled after a wash.
How to remove grease stains from
Grease stains can be pretty tricky and difficult to remove at times. However, one very simple and effective hack is by using dish soap and spot treating it. Squeeze a little dish soap and cold water on the stain. You can rub it in with a microfibre cloth. If the stain is difficult to remove, use a toothbrush to scrub it a little (do not do this for bright clothes as the color might bleed). Wash off the spot with warm water after removing stains.
Here are some very simple methods for taking care of your garments. Dry cleaning at home is a very pocket-friendly and effective method to ward off those long laundry bills. And above all, you will be self-sufficient at your best!
