What Really Happens If You Add Dry-Clean Only Laundry To A Washing Machine

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Have you really done laundry if you haven't wondered whether or not you could actually wash that dry-clean only garment? We argue not. The struggle of deciding whether it's worth the time and expense of taking it down to the dry cleaners or just popping it into the wash is almost a rite of passage, but the truth is that adding dry-clean only garments to your washing machine could irrevocably damage them.

The magic of dry cleaning is that it's, well, dry — at least, in the sense that it doesn't use water to clean clothes. While water and a good spin cycle is a great way to clean your denim jeans (a.k.a., wet cleaning), it can wreak havoc with certain fabrics and fibers. Instead, dry cleaners use a chemical cleaning solvent to remove dirt and stains while preventing damage, like shrinking, color bleeding, or losing shape.

The first step of knowing if you really need to dry-clean your laundry is checking the tag. If your tag has the dreaded "dry-clean only" or a circle — empty, or with an A, F, or P inside — do not put it in the washer. If your garment doesn't have a care tag or you're not sure, use the fabric as a guide. Delicate fabrics like silk or taffeta, leathers like suede or non-washable leather, wools, and your favorite sequined dress are things that should never go in the laundry machine. Why? Let's dive in.

So what really causes the damage with washing dry-clean only items at home? It comes down to the two methods your washing machine uses to clean: water and agitation. Delicate fabrics like silk tend to collapse under the onslaught of water and movement, resulting in a misshapen garment after the wash. It can also cause certain fibers, like wool, to shrink, making your favorite dry-clean only wool pants fit a little tighter than before. Hot water can also loosen leftover dye on dry-clean only clothes during the cycle, causing the color to bleed over the entire load. The agitation can cause lined items, like suits, to tear at the seam and ruin the look.

Does that mean dry cleaning is your only option? No, but it's probably the safest to keep your dry-clean only items looking like new. If your clothes are just slightly dirty, try a home dry cleaning kit, like the Dryel At-Home Dry Cleaner Starter Kit. Or you can steam dry-clean only clothes to extend freshness with a handheld garment steamer, like HiLIFE Steamer for Clothes. It's a great way to give your clothes a just-cleaned look without a trip to the dry cleaners. Make sure the steamer doesn't touch your clothes; keeping it about 3 inches away is enough to release wrinkles without accidentally damaging your garments.