| Dry Clean | Machine Wash | Hand Wash |
| Acetate Brocade Silk Brocade Challis Crepe (silk & Jersey) Foulard Gabardine (silk and wool) Rayon Voile (silk) Washer silk Sharkskin Pique Slipper satin Taffeta Pongee Velvet Ramie Velveteen Seersucker, Viscose Terry cloth Viyella Velour Wool Washer Rayon |
Acrylic Batiste Boucle Cambric Polyester Cotton knit Linen Chambray Dimity Denim Viyella (cold water) Jacquard Doeskin Voile(poly cotton) Knits Faille Woolblends Leno Lame Novelty knits Linen Gingham Noil Jacquard (poly and cotton) Plisse Madras Percale Spandex |
Antique Fabric Antique lace |
Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning is a process which involves solvents and little or no water for washing. Make sure the solvent is distilled to remove greases, oils, waxes and dyes. Poor solvent purity sometimes result in an objectionable odor in the garment and a 'graying' of the white cloths.
Inform the type of stains present on the garment. Pre-spotting helps them to eliminate stains which would otherwise be heat set after the garment is cleaned. Be an informed and fair customer for the dry cleaners.
Wet Cleaning
Wet cleaning is a new process to replace dry cleaning. It uses water and the process make use of computer controlled machines, soap, conditioners and finishers. However, until this process proves to be effective in replacing dry cleaning, consumer should be cautious with their "dry clean only" garments.
Professional Laundering
Most dry cleaners offer professional laundering. The garments which are washable are professionally washed and then pressed. Shirts for men's and women's are often bleached and startch is used according to the manufacturers label.
Home Laundering
Home lanudering the garments is easier to control and even add life to it. Detergents should be well chosen as it usually contains wetting agents and emulsifiers. Most manufacturers use fillers to the product which takes more detergent with each wash. However, now detergent companies have started reducing fillers.
Bleach should be added to only colorfast garments otherwise it may gradually remove the dyes or color. Whiteners are either bleach or bluing agents. Chlorine bleaches are safer on cotton/polyester and some man made fabrics. Using cold water is often more effective.
Softeners often contains wax, which leaves a coating on the fibers. Thoughf if make the fabric feel soft but also reduces the absorbency of the fiber. Some softeners contain perfume which creats an allergy related problem for many people.
Pressing or Ironing
Pressing after cleaning is also considered important. Pressing linen and silk items require skilled professional presser. Linen can be pressed with higher heat but should be pressed when damp. Silk requires lower temperature and it should be steam ironed, better if a press cloth is used. Wool requires steam press and a moderate temperature.
