Customers at Oceanside Cleaners often ask us how often items should be dry cleaned. Customers want to keep their clothing clean and fresh, but they don’t want to “over” dry clean in case it could degrade the fabric.
Here are common questions we get, and our answers:
Is there a general rule of thumb as to how often to dry clean items?
Most items should be dry cleaned every three to four wears. That said, some should be dry cleaned more often and some less, depending on the fabric. Between dry cleaning, clothes should be hung up to reduce wrinkling and a lint roller can be used as necessary. If items have been worn, a hand steamer helps tackle stubborn wrinkles. We recommend you don’t use wire hangers as they can leave permanent horizontal creases on pants or shoulder dimples on tops. As an alternative, velvet hangers or wire hangers covered with cardboard reduce problems.
What is the advice on linen items?
We suggest you check the care label on linen items as some items are washable. Others are marked dry clean only. Our stance is that dry cleaning does the most thorough cleaning job and protects linen items that have shape or structure to them such as blouses.
What is the advice on silk items?
Dry cleaning is the preferred way to clean silk, and most silk garments will have labels recommending dry cleaning. We even recommend dry cleaning washable silks. We’ve had many customers show us a hand-washed “washable” silk clothing item that, unfortunately, was ruined.
Do shirts and blouses demand the most dry-cleaning attention?
Yes! Anything worn close to the body—like shirts and blouses—absorbs sweat, creating stains and odors. These items may require dry cleaning after every use (unless you wear undergarments) and then we recommend dry cleaning every two uses.
What about wool sweaters?
Wool sweaters can go three to five wears, unless they get difficult stains such as those from chocolate, tomatoes, wine, or permanent markers. The good news: wool fibers have a natural waxy coating that protects them from absorbing many stains. Cashmere is more fragile and often requires cleaning every two wears.
How often should outerwear be dry cleaned?
Usually, it’s okay to dry clean outerwear once a season, which you can do at the end of the season. You don’t want to wait until the next season because that lets stains set in the fabric over many months. Mid-season dry cleaning is necessary if items start to smell musty.
Is there a difference around dry cleaning needs for formal wear vs. owned dress clothes?
There is. Formal wear, including evening dresses, often is made from more fragile material and should be dry cleaned every one or two wears. The dress clothes that are in your closet are sturdier. Typical men’s suits can go every three or four wears and the same rule applies to women’s dresses.
We’re here to answer questions about any of your garments. If we can safely save you the cost of dry cleaning, we’ll recommend home care. But dry cleaning often is the safest bet.