Is dry cleaning better than washing for your clothes? (2024)

FAQs

Is dry cleaning better than washing for your clothes? ›

Dry cleaning, much like its name suggests, uses no water but is a comprehensive process that cleans the clothing just as effectively. While both cleaning processes have their purposes, in general, dry cleaning is better for delicate items and the removal of oil-based stains than conventional washing in a machine.

Dry cleaning is also a gentler process than washing, meaning it's less likely to damage delicate fabrics. If you want to keep your clothes looking great for longer, dry cleaning is the way to go. Dry-cleaned garments are less likely to shrink or develop wrinkles than those that are washed and need ironing afterwards.

Dry cleaning doesn't actually clean the garment as effectively as laundering (washing) the garment does - especially related to where dirt accumulates, around the collar especially. You need an absolutely crisp shirt with no wrinkles. It works with your lifestyle - i.e., your commute to work, your errand cycles, etc.

With dry cleaning, the solvents are recovered and filtered to remove coarse and fine debris that could redeposit on garments as the garments are tumbled in a machine. In laundering, the clothes are tumbled in a machine with water and detergent to remove the dirt.

How often should you dry clean your best attire depends on the type of garment and how often you wear it. But as a general rule, most dry-clean-only items should visit the cleaner every three to four wears, and proper care of your garments in between professional cleanings is just as important as dry cleaning itself.

Ignoring the instructions for dry clean only clothing can result in unpleasant surprises. These clothes may shrink, discolor, or even lose their original form when washed with water and detergent. The fabric's integrity and durability are often compromised.

Dry cleaning may not be as effective as regular washing when it comes to removing the stench from your everyday clothes. If the clothing you dry-cleaned still smells of sweat, perfume, or smoke after you get it back, then you might need to take some extra steps to remove the odours.

Under normal conditions, the process of dry cleaning should not shrink your clothes. The process is called “dry” cleaning, because rather than use water to wash your clothes with, dry cleaners use a chemical solvent in a machine that both washes and dries your clothes.

Drycleaning does not cause creasing or distortion, neither does it remove unwanted creases or restore the loss of shape caused by wear. The skilled drycleaner, by steam pressing, will be able to re-shape the garment, replace the required creases and eliminate unwanted wrinkles.

What are the disadvantages of dry cleaning? ›

Although one can enjoy a plethora of benefits when it comes to dry-cleaning, on the flip side, it tends to lean towards the costlier side, which is not always in favor of most customers. Moreover, the solvents utilized may cause damage to the fabrics of the clothes being cleaned.

Yes, traditional dry cleaning can be toxic because it uses perchloroethylene (perc), classified as harmful. Exposure to perc may increase the risk of certain cancers, vision problems, and Parkinson's disease.

Dry cleaning is one of the most effective ways to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that find their way onto your clothing. In fact, the high heat of dry cleaning can wipe your garments clean and remove bacteria in about 30 minutes.

The main difference between dry cleaning and washing is the use of water. Washing / laundering uses water and washing detergent, whereas dry cleaning uses no water and a liquid solvent. As dry cleaning uses solvent instead of water, its much more effective at removing oil-based and hard-to-remove stains from clothing.

Professional cleaners typically launder dress shirts instead of dry cleaning them because most cotton dress shirts should not be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning also won't remove water-soluble stains, like sweat stains, which are more common than oil-based stains on dress shirts.

If you want to truly keep new jeans looking in top shape, take them to dry clean – this eliminates any risk of seeing them shrink or fade. Before washing your jeans, most dry cleaners will go through a step called “pre-spotting,” where they give attention and treatment to individual stains.

Whereas pressed washing uses water and gentle detergents to clean clothes, dry cleaning employs toxic solvents. While pressed laundry is best for more robust materials like cotton, linen, and polyester, dry cleaning is best for delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and cashmere.

The researchers put the squares through various washes, following them with either an air-drying session, a high heat cycle, or a low heat cycle. The study confirmed some common knowledge. Drying shrinks clothing twice as much as washing, and tumble-drying shrinks twice as much as air-drying.

Check the label as always, and if it says “dry clean” instead of “dry clean only”, you'll be able to wash it in your machine. This is usually the case with cotton, polyester, nylon, and spandex clothes.