Homemade Dry Cleaner for Clothes

Hand Wash

• Many pieces that are designated as dry-clean only can be safely and sufficiently cleaned by hand. Depending upon the size, wash the items in a sink or tub and gently squeeze out any excess liquid. You can hang the clothing to dry, or lay it flat on a drying rack.

Wash on Gentle

• The advancements in front-loading or large-capacity top-loading machines offer delicate wash cycles that can wash a wide range of fabrics. Wool and silk are two fabrics that fare well in the gentle wash cycle.

Steam Clean

• To freshen dry-clean-only clothes, give them a steam clean in the dryer, which offers similar results to the at-home dry-clean kits available in stores. Set the dryer to a low-to-medium setting. Add a lightly damp, not wet, towel and a sachet or dryer sheet for fragrance. The damp towel will create steam, and the dryer sheet or sachet, a nice scent.

Laundry Detergent and Water Temperature

• Gentle laundry detergent produces the best results. Use cold water in the wash cycle to help fabrics retain their shape, prevent fading or color transfer.