LuxeSyndicate

In answering the common question “What should and what shouldn’t be dry-cleaned?” there is one universal answer that can be applied to all garments: Mostly everything can be dry-cleaned in moderation. The high drying temperatures and chemicals used in the dry-cleaning process can directly damage your garment or slowly decrease the lifespan of it.

So, while it may be easier to leave that suit with your trusted neighborhood dry cleaner rather than try to remove those unattractive creases yourself, be aware that in the process you’re ruining your clothes.

Here is a rundown of how those delicate garments should be laundered.

Sweaters

Dry cleaning isn’t a very beneficial option for getting those stains out of your knitwear. The chemicals used in the dry-cleaning process will shorten the lifespan of knitwear — this holds especially true for cashmere.

Get it clean: Hand-wash your knitwear with a mild soap in warm water; it’s the only guaranteed way to maintain the softness and luster of the fabric.

Dress shirts

Cotton dress shirts should only be dry-cleaned once every so often — unless, of course, you have the funds to keep replacing them. Frequent dry cleaning of your dress shirts will deteriorate the fabric fibers and the chemicals used will give your shirt an unsightly yellow tint.

Get it clean: Machine-wash and hang-dry your dress shirts. If you do take them to the dry-cleaner, specify that you want the garment hand-ironed rather than machine-pressed, and ask them not use any starch, as this lessens the lifespan of a shirt.

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