It's the day, who knows now? being quarantined at home, and yes, my laundry situation is not going well. I chose (for inexplicable reasons) to wear cashmere sweaters that are "dry cleaned" when I work from home. Now that my laundry basket is becoming a precarious tower, I have to take care of myself to wash them because I'm trying to limit my time outdoors, as everyone in the infirmary should do.
So I spoke to experts Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, co-founders of The Laundress , to explain exactly how to dry-clean an item from the comfort of your own home! You can do it! Here you will find everything you need to know to wash all of your most delicate, delicate and complicated garments.
How does traditional dry cleaning work? And is dry cleaning at home a good option?
Use chemical solvents like tetrachlorethylene or perchlorethylene or "Perc" instead of water and detergent to break down and clean stains, Boyd says. However, most items such as silk, some plastics, lace, wool, cashmere, and other knitwear that say "just dry clean" can still be washed by hand.
A big advantage (you know, aside from saving money) is that this method will keep your clothes longer. "In a washing machine, delicate fabrics can get caught in the drum and change fibers or details," says Whiting. "Using a too high water temperature or an aggressive spin cycle can also disrupt delicate fabrics."
But ... if you run out of time and you have a washing machine in your own (jealous) house, you can put delicate items on it if you use the right detergent and bring it to a not too high temperature. In addition, a mesh bag is definitely recommended to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above.
You may want to use it
What materials do you need to get started?
Get a container (be sure to clean it before you start!) OR a large bowl would work too, and fill it with water. A golden rule for you is below.
- Cold / cold water: For use on silk, lace, wool or cashmere
- Hot / hot water: Use for hard-wearing cotton, linen and plastics
Keys too? Boyd says the type of detergent you should use depends on what you wash. Everyday clothing such as cotton, linen and hard-wearing plastics can be washed with a conventional detergent. However, wool and cashmere need a special detergent for these fabrics because they are more sensitive. Recommend this shampoo wool and cashmere neutral pH , but you can also choose this detergent Woolite® Extra - Delicates , this detergent natural herbal love beauty and planet or this slip detergent silk . Yes, technically it's for silk pillowcases , but it also works for any type of silk fabric!
Follow these cleaning steps
Treat stains before immersing them in water. Dawn dish soap is a classic where you can apply the detergent directly to the stain and work with your fingers or a soft brush. If you want something that attacks stains more effectively, you can opt for stain sticks and solutions and apply them to the most stubborn areas.
Let the objects soak for about 30 minutes, then drain the container and wash it in cold water until it is no longer foamed. DO NOT TURN THE FABRIC . This can pull and stretch the material. Instead, gently press the water and squeeze it between your hands.
To speed up the drying process, you can place the item on a clean, dry towel and then roll it up like a burrito to absorb the extra water. Above, this YouTuber shows the 2:25 technique. There are other tips for dry cleaning at home if you want to see them! After relaxing, allow the items to air dry on a wire rack or lay them flat to maintain their shape.
What about suede, leather and viscose fabrics?
These can be more complicated, which is why Whiting and Boyd suggest these guidelines. For suede, avoid home cleaning if you can, and band together to remove wrinkles, freshen up, and kill bacteria. Don't iron it! This one crushes or crushes the material. You can also opt for an antibacterial textile spray to refresh the fragrance.
Sprinkle these air fresheners
If leather is labeled "not washable" or "only dry clean", do not wash it at home . If it is labeled as "washable", test it by wiping a cloth before washing and touching an inconspicuous area like a sleeve: to locate the test, dampen a clean, white, lint-free cloth and wipe the cloth from. Check for discoloration once the area is dry. If there are no stains, do the following:
For the washing machine
- Return your item and put it in a mesh wash bag
- Put your machine on the sensitive cycle
- Set the chilled water temperature and turn it low
- Follow the instructions on the bottle to add the required amount of delicate detergent to your washing machine
wash your hands
- Fill a sink, sink, or tub with cold or cold water.
- Put a mild detergent and an object in the tub.
- Shake the mixture with your hands and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Rinse by squeezing the water with your hands. Don't turn!
- Place the item in its natural form on a drying rack or hang it up to dry. Do not put in the dryer!
If you hesitate to immerse it completely in water, even if it says "washable", you can also use the transmission technology shown below:
And viscose is a type of rayon that is extremely sensitive. So if the garment is not specifically labeled as washable, don't get it dirty. Washing a viscose article yourself without looking at the labels can lead to irreversible shrinking, stretching, distorting or folding. So yes, better leave it to the experts and use a fabric spray while you wait.
How do you dry your dry coat at home?
I usually leave them with cleaning professionals in my neighborhood, but you can take care of them if necessary. First, determine what type of jacket it is, says Whiting. If it is leather or suede, you can check this. However, if it's a wool or down coat, you can follow these steps.
1. Treat stains and smells
- Treat stains. Are there any strong smells like smoke, body oils or mold? Then soak your jacket with ¼ cup of fragrant vinegar and cold water for 30 minutes.
2. Wash
- Place removable washable items such as faux fur lining and hoods in a mesh pocket to protect them. Turn your coat over and place it in the drum of the washing machine. Select the wool or fine program in the washing machine and use cold water. Depending on the machine and load size, add the appropriate amount of cashmere and wool detergent.
- To wash your hands, fill your bathtub with cold water and add a coat and detergent. Mix by hand and soak for up to 30 minutes.
3. dry
- Boyd recommends drying and coating the fiber layers at a low temperature and low rotation cycle and repeating the drying cycle until ALL moisture has disappeared. You can also add drying balls or even clean tennis balls (?!) To redistribute the feathers, weigh them down and fill them after washing.
- In the middle of the drying cycle, remove and shake the down to redistribute the feathers. Move the remaining strands by hand before putting them back in the dryer. Tip: Large layers of down have to dry completely to prevent mold. If the upholstery still sticks, it means that there is excess water.
- Woolen coats should always be air-dried.
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