Dry Cleaning: 6 Fabrics That Need to Be Cleaned Professionally

Life would be much easier if you could just throw all your dirty laundry in the washing machine. However, not all fabrics are created equal; some require a different type of care and treatment that manual or machine washing cannot provide.

What is chemical cleaning?

Dry cleaning can remove dirt and stains from clothes without using soap and water. You're probably wondering now: how does dry cleaning work? Contrary to popular belief, it is not a "dry" process.

The fabrics are immersed and soaked in a special liquid chemical solvent, mainly perchloroethylene. Alternative solvents are trichloroethane and petroleum spirits.

Although perchloroethylene has long been recognized as an effective chemical cleaning solution as a volatile organic solvent, it can still be a health hazard if exposure is not well controlled.

People with allergies are prone to eye, nose, and throat irritations when exposed to solvent.

What do they care symbols on the clothing labels mean?

Before you cut those annoying labels, think maybe I'm there for a purpose!

You can use them as a guide when washing your fabrics to make sure they last longer in good condition.

What can you see on these labels? They provide you with appropriate washing and drying instructions for the fabric used in clothing.

There are five basic symbols for fabric care - washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, and, of course, professional cleaning. Symbols can be combined to create a complete guide to how to take care of your clothes.

As a general rule, cotton, spandex, and polyester shirts can be washed by hand or by machine, while winter clothes, suits, formal and evening wear must be professionally cleaned. Below are the 6 fabrics that need to be professionally cleaned.

Silk

Silk fabrics have strong, natural fibers that do not completely absorb the dyes used to dye them. Washing the silk with soap and water will not only wear out its color but will also shrink and distort the fabric.

Carefully clean your silk clothes to make sure the colors stay vibrant and the fabric is protected from damage.

Wool

Wool fabric can be as strong as silk if you do not immerse it in water, which can cause it to shrink. Dry cleaning helps you avoid this risk and help those women's wool jackets last longer.

Reversible Leather

Reversible leather is a special type of leather made of lamb, cow, and goatskin. Upholstered skin is expensive and difficult to maintain. It is sensitive to light, moisture, and water-based cleaning products, as well as chemical-based cleaning products.

The services of cleaning professionals who use non-toxic chemicals can ensure that your skin is properly maintained and cared for.

Leather

Leather clothing usually includes special care instructions, which must be followed explicitly. Professional skin cleansing should only be done to remove severe stains, such as ink and oil spills.

Flax

Flax is a fabric derived from seeds. It is quite strong, absorbent, and, compared to cotton, dries faster. You have several options for cleaning.

Although it can be hand-washed and air-dried, it often needs to be ironed, as its fibers are known to be more suitable in hot weather.

Unfortunately, if handled incorrectly, linen clothing may lose its clarity and its overall quality may deteriorate. Dry cleaning is ideal for this fabric.

Denim

Contrary to popular belief, denim cannot be passed through a dryer. Although durable, proper care of the denim should include washing the fabric from the inside out in cold water, then the items should be hung to dry.

Most high-quality denim types, especially those that are in their purest form, will benefit more from chemical cleaning.

Do you have the habit of taking the clothes to professional cleaning services?