You finally have the much-needed free time on your hands, but you have no idea what to do with it. Rather than sit and scroll through the IG feed on your
We know that laundry isn’t your favorite chore, but we also know that those clothes [you’ve been delaying taking to the dry cleaner] won’t wash themselves. But you can save yourself some cash and pass time by dry cleaning at home. Believe it or not, there are some proven tips and tricks to wash those “dry clean” clothes at home.
Adopt these 5 tips for an easy DIY dry cleaning experience at home…
#1. Know thy fabrics
If you’re used to purchasing outfits without reading the labels, you may need to correct that as some fabrics are more tasking to clean than others. Silk and wool pose the most of a washing challenge, so take the time to read the labels usually tucked the inside seam. If it reads “dry clean only”, you need to go to the dry cleaner, but if it reads “dry clean”, there are tricks to either hand wash them or throw them into the washing machine.
#2. Mesh bags to the rescue
If the fabric is delicate, turn it inside out and place it in a mesh bag before delicate washing. This will help your clothes stay in shape and avoid slacking and/or loose ends.
#3. Use cold water
Cold water is a necessity when on your DIY dry cleaning spree. This is usually best for washing, especially when in doubt on a fabric requirement. Warm water on the other hand could lead to shrinkage and/or misshapen clothes.
#4. Mix and match
Jumbling things together and walking away with a TV remote might not suffice this time. You want to be deliberate: washing silk with silk and wool with wool. Also, separate light colors from dark colors and wash accordingly. You don’t want that white shirt ruined for life.
#5. Air dry properly
Sometimes, drying with your washing machine isn’t really a good idea as the clothes could end up shrunken and totally unrecognizable. It is always best to hang clothes on a cloth line for proper air drying. In the case of wool, set it on a flat and cool surface to avoid contorted clothes. A DIY gone wrong is not the plan.
Tips:
● Deal with stains early, don’t let them soak in. The earlier the better.
● If you spill your wine on your shirt, soak in cold water for 30 minutes or sponge the
affected area with cold water.
● For most stains, pretreating with liquid laundry detergent or a prewash stain remover is effective.
● If stain persists, use bleach appropriate for the fabric.
Go forth and try out these tips in the comfort of your home. You’ll definitely appreciate the new things learnt, your increased productivity and some extra cash saved. Thank us later.
Featured Image: Rawpixel | Teddy
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