How to dry wash clothes at home?
Dry cleaning clothes at home is not such a difficult task; any housewife can cope with it. Of course, washing in water using powder is more common. However, this method of removing stains is not suitable for delicate items. In order not to spoil the product, you should carefully study the label, and if you see the “dry clean” mark, you should not risk washing with water and powder. There may be a “no dry cleaning” icon on the label, then there is no other option but to do dry cleaning yourself.
So, what will be needed to complete the task?
- A special washing machine that has a drying function. Clothes in such a unit are treated with warm air.
- Dry cleaning kit. It usually contains: a stain remover, a cover, scented and moistened wipes. If the cover is not included in the package, you should purchase a washing bag yourself. It will protect clothes from stretching, wear and exposure to warm air.
There are also dry wash kits that consist of a drying gel, the particles of which are then simply shaken off the fabric.
What clothes are recommended to be dry processed?
Delicate fabrics include:
- natural silk;
- natural wool (angora, cashmere);
- fine cotton and linen;
- some types of rayon (triacetate);
- thin knitwear;
- velvet;
- artificial and natural suede and leather.
If clothes have complex decorative elements, such as hand embroidery, beading, sequins or rhinestones, they can be damaged when washed in a machine, even on a delicate cycle. Home dry cleaning will preserve the original appearance of the item. It is also recommended to use dry washing in cases where the item is your favorite and you want to extend its service life as long as possible. This treatment has a significant advantage: there is no need to remove buttons, belts, shoulder pads and other elements.
How to do laundry yourself?
Before dry washing, items should be sorted. The rules here are the usual: do not put together white and colored items, knitted and silk fabrics. Wool lint and down fibers can get caught in other fabrics and require extra effort to remove them. It is also better to place items in the laundry bag that are approximately the same size and weight.
It is advisable to treat particularly dirty areas with a stain remover before placing them in the washing machine drum. However, you should not apply the solution directly to a large stain: it is unknown how its composition will affect the fabric. After all, not all of them are painted with durable dyes, and it may happen that you get a faded item instead of clean and fresh clothes.
Typically, gentle reagents are used to remove stains, which gently clean the fabric without causing harm to it. But still, it’s better not to take risks and experiment before using the product. The stain remover is tested on an inconspicuous area, such as under a waistband, on the inside of a pocket, or on a seam tape. The swab is moistened with stain remover and a small piece of fabric is wiped.If everything is in order, you can begin the dry washing process at home.
Important!
Before using home dry cleaning products, carefully read the instructions.
Dry washing rules consist of four important points.
- Place the prepared items in a safety bag. Don't fill it completely, leave some space. Things must be accessible for treatment with warm air. Products made from delicate fabrics must first be turned inside out.
- Place napkins in the bag. They contain sufficient moisture and a deodorizing conditioner. During dry air treatment, moisture evaporates, which allows you to refresh clothes and prevent them from drying out. A small amount of moisture also helps straighten out existing wrinkles and creases in items.
- Turn on the dry mode on your washing machine. Use the lowest air temperature and minimum processing time. Usually the timer is set for 30 minutes.
- After the end of the cycle, it is recommended to hang the clothes on hangers so that they do not lose their shape.
It is not always possible to get rid of complex, old stains at home; in this case, you will have to use the services of professional dry cleaning.
Removing stains with home remedies
Not all housewives use chemical compounds at home; today, an increasing number of people prefer home cleaning methods. Here are some recipes.
- Sand. Some products cannot be cleaned at home with chemicals, for example a fur coat made from natural fur. You can clean it with fine sand. It must be heated, and then poured onto the fur product, spread with your hands over the entire surface.After half an hour, the sand is shaken off, and the dirt is removed along with it. After dry cleaning, the fur coat should be combed with a comb. Sand can be used to treat shiny areas on woolen items; remove it with a brush.
- Bran for dry washing. They can be used to clean a fur product according to the rules outlined above. Bran is also used to remove stains from clothes with embroidery. They are diluted in a strong soap solution to a paste and applied to the fabric. Rub the product with your hands for several minutes and shake off the mass. Then sprinkle dry bran on the stain and repeat the process.
- Starch, soda, and table salt have good absorbent properties.. Talc works great for removing grease stains. It is poured onto the contaminated area, tracing paper is placed on top and ironed.
So, there are several radically different approaches to caring for items made from delicate fabrics, and it’s up to you to decide which one is more suitable for use at home. The main thing is to remember to be careful and not to overuse chemical reagents.