Its kind of crazy.
But the need to dry clean is a reality for many people.
Probably not as good as youd like.
Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
It doesnt have to listeveryway.
Thats why you often see items labeled dry clean only or hand-wash only.
When youre checking care labels at your favorite store, take a closer look at the fabrics listed.
The more absorbent a fiber is, the more it will shrink, Young said.
Wool, rayon and cotton are the most shrink-prone fabrics, in that order, she explained.
We accept a certain amount of shrinkage for some products.
But what about when fibers get mixed together?
Thats where the science gets interesting.
Take, for example, a cotton jacket with polyester lining.
Blended fabrics are different from simply having two fabrics near each other.
Intimate blends, as theyre called, are more durable if you wash them at home.
Polyester acts as a babysitter to cotton, Young said.
Dry wool items flat on a laundry rack.
Treat your sweaters extra nicely by washing them by hand in sheep shampoo, available at farm supply stores.
The pH balance in this specialty shampoo cleans the wool fibers without damaging them.
One exception here is a treated version called washable wool.
If the label specifies that its washable, go ahead and throw it in the machine.
Wash it by hand or in the delicate cycle.
It will definitely fall apart.
For that, its time for a trip to the dry cleaner.
Wait, Back Up.
Can You Explain How Dry Cleaning Works?
Theres nothing actually dry about it.
Instead of using water, dry-cleaning machines wash big batches of clothes in a solvent.
After the cleaning cycle, items are pressed with special machines that steam the clothing evenly and quickly.
Dry cleaning is expensive because its labor-intensive.
Eco-friendly solvents can increase the price, as can pickup and delivery add-ons or rush orders.
How to Reduce Your Dry-Cleaning Costs
Lisa Rowan is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
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