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Do I Really Need To Dry Clean?

• You just bought a lovely new blouse. As you go to throw it in the wash, you notice it says ‘dry clean only.’ You wonder, “Do I really need to dry clean?” In a word: yes
• There are some who think that dry cleaning isn’t necessary, that it’s a way for designers to make their clothing seem like higher quality, or that water can’t possibly harm fabric. Not true.
• For some fabrics, the aggressive spinning of a washing machine – even on a delicate cycle – can be too rough. Or, for other fabrics, the pH balance of the water and detergent can alter or shrink the material. And while there are some materials that don’t necessarily require dry cleaning, if you’re uncertain how to wash the garment, it’s best to take it to a professional.
• As an informal rule, anything that says ‘dry clean only’ must be dry cleaned, whereas if the tag only says ‘dry clean,’ you may be able to get away with washing it yourself. Generally, fabrics that can be washed at home include cotton, linen, cashmere, polyester, acrylic and nylon. Mind you, they may still require special treatment, such as washing on cold, avoiding the dryer, washing on a delicate cycle or using specific cleaning products. Fabrics such as silk, acetate, velvet, wool, taffeta, silk, suede and leather are best left to the dry cleaners.
• As well, anything with embellishments such as beads or sequins should be dry cleaned, in order to avoid destroying the design.
• Bring it in to Park Avenue Cleaners, with our 50+ years of experience, we know exactly how to clean all your garments.