Save Money: How to Dry Clean at Home

how to dry clean at home save money do-it-yourself

By Fatima Virrey , Parent Herald Sep 17, 07:00 pm

Photo: (Photo : Karolina Grabowska from Pexels)

In this article are five steps on how to dry clean at home - sort of like your do-it-yourself project - and save money from it.

Dry cleaning services, as we must admit, tend to be expensive, especially if we have lots of sensitive clothes that need cleaning. But if you are wondering if there is another way to cut off your budget from these expensive services, the answer is, there is an alternative way.

Read your clothes' label

Ever notice the little symbols or tags on your garments? You need to pay close attention to those because they will help you in your do-it-yourself project on how to dry clean at home. You must know the type of fabric that your garment is made of because that will determine the next step in your do-it-yourself dry cleaning process.

Conduct a spot test

If you are worried about ruining your clothes, a spot test will help you be at ease. Drip a small amount of water (as well as the detergent that you are planning to use) onto a small and unseen portion of your garment. Then, gently rub a cotton swab across the area. If the fabric's dye stains the cotton swab, it means it needs dry cleaning.

Also, if you come up with pristine cotton swabs or the item did not appear damaged once you have wet it, then it's safe for washing. Do this test first before getting into washing. You are here to save money, and ruining your clothes will just cost you more.

Start washing with machine

The right way on how to dry clean at home to save money is by picking your washing technique carefully. Garments like cotton, linen, and polyesters are often safe to wash with a machine while wool, silk, and other delicate types of cotton are best to be washed by hand. In this do-it-yourself project of dry cleaning, you need to remember these specific methods if you'll do machine washing or hand washing.

In machine washing, turn your clothes inside out and slip them into a mesh bag. Cold water and mild detergent are best to use as well as using the gentlest cycle that is available. Get your clothes from the machine and lay them out flat to dry.

In handwashing, you need a clean sink or a basin. Use cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Dip your clothes in and out of it then rub the soiled areas with your hand softly.

Drying your clothes

Since your goal is to save money, you must be very careful not to ruin your clothes by this do-it-yourself dry cleaning of yours. In drying them, lay your clothes on a clean towel. Roll it up with your clothes inside, and squeeze it gently to remove water. Unroll the towel and move your clothes to a drier area of the towel. Repeat this process until the garment is no longer dripping, and lay it out flat to dry after.

Do not use the dryer

This last step on how to dry clean at home, you need to remember never to use your dryer to dry your garments. Dry-clean-only clothes must be treated as gently as possible, and the stretching and wringing of your garments during the drying process are not going to help. Also, keep your wools away from warm or sunny areas as they are prone to shrinking.

We hope that these steps helped you with your dilemma on how to dry clean at home, and to save money from doing it.