The label “dry clean only” is commonly seen on different clothing items.
It is normal for companies to start listing this on their clothing items as a way to ensure they are protected and do not fall apart on the wearer after a single wash.
However, what if you accidentally washed dry clean only clothing?
If you accidentally washed dry clean only clothing, there is no reason to panic. This is often nothing more than a recommendation. To wash this type of clothing item, always turn it inside out and wash it separately in a gentle wash cycle.
When it is time to dry this type of clothing, you are going to want to air-dry it.
If you end up putting the item inside a dryer, it might start breaking down. This is why it’s best to not take the chance and air-dry in at room temperature.
This will be more than enough to get the job done and make sure the clothing item doesn’t tear or break down.
Here is more on what you have to do if you accidentally washed dry clean only clothing.
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Steps To Consider If You Accidentally Washed Dry Clean Only
1. Change To Gentle Cycle (If Still Washing)
You will want to look at the type of wash cycle used for the clothing.
If it says “dry clean only” then it is already fragile in comparison to other clothing items. This is something you are going to want to prepare for.
To prepare for something like this, it’s best to make sure you are changing it to the gentle cycle as soon as you can.
It will make sure things play out as you want and it is easy to get the grime out of the clothing too.
For the most part, a standard wash cycle can work but you are taking a greater risk. Don’t do this as the gentle cycle is still solid enough to do a good job.
2. Remove Other Items In The Washer
Are you going to be including other items in the wash load?
This is an important detail to think about because you are going to want to remove other items in the washer as soon as possible.
Those clothes are dangerous for the item you are washing.
Even something as simple as a zipper might snag onto the clothing and tear it. This is why you will want to run an empty load with nothing except the dry clean only clothing.
This provides peace of mind if you are still going through the washing process right now.
3. Always Air-Dry The Item
If you have already accidentally washed dry clean only clothing then it is time to look at what you can do next.
The first thing you will want to consider is how you will dry the clothing.
In general, your natural reaction will be to complete the proess by tossing it into the dryer. This is not a good idea because the dryer is going to ruin your clothing for good.
You are taking a big risk by doing this.
Instead, you are going to want to set it aside at room temperature and let it air-dry. This is going to be good enough for it to dry properly.
4. Inspect For Damage
When you have gone through the washing cycle, you will want to inspect the clothing item to see if it is intact.
This might be reasonable enough for you to do the same thing in the future if it is still in solid shape.
Don’t assume you can only move forward with dry cleaning when it says so on the label. This is just a recommendation and it is not the only option available to you.
Brands only do this so you are not taking a risk with their clothing items and you can maintain its quality for months or years to come.
In general, you can still keep the item safe as long as you are following the steps that have been mentioned here.
Final Thoughts
I accidentally washed dry clean only!
If you accidentally washed dry clean only clothing, it’s best to turn the item inside out and run an empty load with only the item inside. If it is already washed, it is best to set it aside at room temperature and let it air-dry rather than using a tradtional dryer.
For the most part, the average person will do this anyway.
It is rare for a person to take these clothing items to the local dry cleaner. It is often better to learn how to wash these items at home as that is budget-friendly.
Look at the steps here and learn more on how to wash dry clean only clothing at home.
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