Many of us have dress and work clothing that is often dry clean only attire. While dry cleaning can keep these articles of clothing looking crisp and fresh, it can also be quite costly. This is a guide about saving money on dry cleaning.
1. Steer clear of clothing items that needs dry cleaning. The cost to own and maintain dry-clean only clothing is vastly more than clothing that can be machine or hand washed.
2. Try home dry cleaning kits to freshen dry-clean only clothing. They aren't always a replacement for professional dry cleaning but they do allow you to get your clothes dry cleaned less often.
3. Watch for coupons. Even if you can't find coupons for the dry cleaner you prefer, they may take competitor's coupons. Some cleaners have special sales. Watch for them.
4. Hand wash dry-clean only garments. Some garments that say dry clean only can be washed by hand. You must be very careful doing this. It is best to try a little water on a place that can't be seen to see how the fabric reacts. Visit your local library for a book on fabric care.
5. Always hang clothing that must be dry cleaned as soon as possible after wearing. Take a lint brush to it and spot clean anything you can. This way you can wear the piece several times before taking it back to the cleaners.
I have a ton of clothing that requires dry cleaning. Do you or your readers know of any ways to save on dry cleaning?
By joanfry
12/24/2011
The chemicals used at dry cleaners are very toxic. You would not want to smell them or let them touch your skin yet we let the cleaners inundate our clothes with them.
I have lived in Europe for 25 years and I have not yet once been to cleaners. Firstly they did not exist, now they are too expensive. I always factor the cost of getting there and back too.
So, I wash silk, cashmere by hand, hang outside if possible although my basement is a great spot, heat in winter and no bleaching sun in summer. You can also hang in your bathroom over night.
I put everything else except tailored suits in the cold wash, minimum wash and spin cycle and then hang them up. For tailored suits I spot clean, spray sometimes with deodorant under the armpits. Let hang in the fresh air overnight or over the weekend if possible. I have saved a ton of money over the years.
For my husbands dress shirts which were many each week I actually hired a young lady, and even paying her a decent hourly rate she was still cheaper than the laundry, plus my husband always smelled nice.
Quite frankly I hate dry cleaners. I think they should be banned.
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