Everyone’s heard of dry cleaning, but few people know what dry cleaning actually entails. And even fewer people know how to do it themselves!
We’ve already tackled the basics of dry cleaning and what makes a good dry cleaner in previous blogs. Are you ready to level up your laundry knowledge even further?
From the WaveMAX laundry pros, here’s how to dry clean at home.
How to Dry Clean at Home: Strategies for Successful At-Home Dry Cleaning
What Can and Can’t Be Dry Cleaned at Home
Before diving head-first into at-home dry cleaning, here’s a general list of what can and can’t be dry cleaned at home—or ever!
Garments to dry clean at home:
Trousers
Blouses
Unstructured skirts
Lightly embroidered items
Sweaters
Jeans
Garments to never dry clean:
Rayon
Flame-resistant fabrics
Super soiled items (learn what stains to leave to pros)
Garments to take to professional dry cleaners:
Velvet
Crisply pleated skirts or shirts
Heavily beaded, sequined, or metallic garments
Leather coats, suede, and natural furs
Delicate silks
If your items fall into the final category, search WaveMAX laundry near me to contact our team of dry cleaners in Thornton.
How to Dry Clean at Home with a Kit
The most popular way to dry clean at home is with a kit. These usually include a stain remover pen for pre-treating, an odor spray, and a garment bag for the dryer. If you have a kit already, follow these steps:
Use the stain remover pen and the odor spray to pre-treat any stains or smelly areas.
Close all buttons and zippers.
Load your garments into the bag, and be careful not to overload it.
Run the bag through your dryer alone on medium heat for 15-30 minutes.
Hang your garments on a rack or lie them flat to release any wrinkles.
If you notice any lingering wrinkles, remove them with a steamer.
How to Dry Clean at Home Without a Kit
In a pinch, it is possible to dry clean at home without a kit.
One option is to simply hand wash your dry clean-only garments—gently, of course.
A more advanced option is to:
Place your garment in a dry cleaning bag or pillowcase.
Mix 3/4 cup of water, 4 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon of borax, and 1 teaspoon of oxygen bleach powder in a bowl.
Dip a clean white washcloth in the mixture and ring it out.
Place the wrung-out washcloth in the bag or pillowcase.
Machine dry for 15-20 minutes.
Finish the drying with air drying, and use a steamer to remove wrinkles.
Time to See a Laundry Pro?
DIY can only get you so far! If you live near Thornton, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Westminster or Broomfield, we are here to help with pick-up and drop-off dry cleaning services. Visit our website to learn more and schedule a professional dry cleaning service in Denver’s metro area.
