Tips for Choosing Between Washing and Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning and regular laundering are two very different ways to do your laundry. The former does not use water. Dry cleaning removes stains and cleans your laundry with chemical solvents, providing you with different washing options that cater to varying needs and fabrics. The use of solvents over water also changes the drying process. Most solvents used in dry cleaning do not need high heat exposure to be removed from the fabric or dried out, eliminating the need for harsh dryers.

When should you opt for washing over dry cleaning or vice versa? Keep these three tips in mind when choosing between washing and dry cleaning to make sure your laundry receives the best care and stays in top condition.

Check for Stains and Oil Patches

Tetrachloethelyne—the most popular solvent used in dry cleaning—is far more effective at removing stains than water. The chemicals in the solvent react with stains breaking down the molecules and unlatching them from your fabrics. Solvents are especially good at tackling oil and grease stains. Water repels oil, but solvents break them down, removing them from your clothes and linens.

Check your laundry loads for stains and oil patches to determine whether you should wash or dry-clean. If you have a lot of items with stains and grease marks, dry cleaning will make sure your laundry load comes out stain-free and pristine.

Read the Washing and Material Labels

Did you know some fabrics deteriorate in water? Certain materials stretch, tear, and fade when exposed to water due to their delicate fibers. A lot of fabrics are also sensitive to heat, making them incompatible with traditional dryers. Dry cleaning provides a safer and friendlier way to clean and dry more delicate materials.

Before tossing your laundry load in the wash, make sure to read the care and material labels on your items. Sensitive and delicate fabrics are often indicated on their label—sometimes, they’ll even tell you whether they need to be dry-cleaned or hand-washed. Common fabrics that don’t pair well with water include:

• Silk

• Suede

• Leather

• Wool

Take the Little Details Into Consideration

Lacing, beading, and sequins embellish your clothes with lots of intricate detailing. Throwing your detailed and garnished fabrics into the regular wash risks damaging those little details and intricacies. Beads can get undone. Lace can snag and tear. Sequins can rip and fade. Feathers can shed. Putting your embellished materials up for dry cleaning makes sure all their detailing stays intact.

Keep your clothes, linen, and other laundry loads in top condition with these three tips on choosing between washing and dry cleaning. Knowing when to dry-clean vs. wash your laundry ensures your belongings receive the best care possible.

Launderland is a laundromat in Glendale that offers both dry cleaning and regular washing services. We provide lots of washing machines and dryers for your usual laundry loads and dry cleaning drop-offs to clean your more delicate belongings. Check out our laundromat to keep your clothes clean and in top shape.