Dry Clean Only? No thank you! Back on the rack you go!
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94909)
United States
January 21, 2016 1:07am CST
After eating dinner (my previous post at Red Robins), we went around and shopped at the mall. I wasn't going into the department store with anything in mind to purchase but more of just window shopping.
While browsing through some sales, I came across this beautiful Michael Kors Roll Sleeve Belted Shirtdress! Since the color was merlot, a burgundy color I thought it would be perfect for our anniversary next month which we also combine with Valentine's Day.
I brought the dress to the fitting room and it fitted nicely. Whereas dresses usually do not fit as I please or it's more hard to find a dress that suits me. I was thrilled until.....
I checked the tag and it said Dry Clean Only.
I was a little bit disappointed, and ended up not getting the dress. It is an inconvenience to have clothes dry cleaned in my opinion. In the end after several washes, spending money for dry clean would cost more than the dress.
Is there any materials you strictly avoid purchasing? Or method of washing avoid you from purchasing? If so, why? I avoid acrylic fabric because the fabric makes me itchy. I wish the dress was hand wash instead.
(Photo Credit) Same dress just in a burgundy color instead of black.
shop.nordstrom.com/s/michael-michael-kors-roll-sleeve-belted-shirtdress-regular-petite/3245013?cm_mmc=Google_Product_Ads_pla_online-_-datafeed-_-women%3Adresses%3Adress-_-509905&%3Bcountry=US&%3Bcurrency=USD&mr%3AreferralID=b470d8fc-c00b-11e5-9a09-005056947d48&gclid=CIyhhIGpusoCFQ8vaQod4QALHQ
14 people like this
17 responses
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I only own a few dry cleaned clothing articles like coats. I only own them because when I bought them, wore them then it was time to wash - I didn't realize they were dry clean only. Now, before purchasing any clothing articles, I check to see how you wash/care for the clothing item. If it is dry clean, I will put it back on the rack. 
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I remember reading someplace that just becuase it says dry clean only it doesn't mean you really have to. I think it depends on the material.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
Next time I will keep that in mind. I really liked that dress too! Darn, next time. Thank you for the tip!
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
@AbbyGreenhill I left the dress in the fitting room, it'd probably not be returned to the same sale rack but it's okay. Next time!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
22 Jan 16
@infatuatedbbyCan't you go back for it?
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
22 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby Yes I think that is a wise suggestion. For as long as you wash it gently then I think the fabric won't be ruined.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
@salonga I think so too! But, I will only buy the item if it's reasonable price as I don't want to wash then it's damaged and be at a lost for the item.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
I wished that dress was delicate wash, hand wash at least but it was dry clean. However, other members here wrote it may be fine to wash by hand or delicate wash even though it says dry clean! I will try that next time if I find an item reasonable priced and try it out!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
Awesome! I am going to keep this in mind. I always steer far from dry cleaning, but if I ever find dry clean items for a good deal.. I'll buy it and try it out. If it comes out bad, at least I didn't spend much just to see.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502729)
• Italy
22 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby Buy something very inexpensive to try. What you risk is that real cotton lightly shrinks the first time you wash it, not a big deal, just a little.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
That is a good point. I should have boughten the dress since it fit so well. Usually dresses don't fit like I'd want. Next time I'll keep hand washing in mind.
@boiboing (13147)
• Northampton, England
21 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby a lot of stuff is labelled dry cleaning only but doesn't really need it. The shop is just trying to protect themselves. If it has stuff that's really delicate or things like suede or leather trims or a structured jacket or coat with linings or any woven wool or blend then it's not going to wash. With others often it's fine if you are careful.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
21 Jan 16
I don't dry clean, except my husbands suites. I like wash and where.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
Yes, suits have to be dry cleaned! I like to wash and wear my clothes also, not having to drive to the dry cleaners.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
22 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby I don't like spending the money too.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41985)
• United States
21 Jan 16
Dry cleaning is RIDICULOUSLY expensive! I used to manage a higher-end dry cleaners for several years and it was crazy what they charged for items to be cleaned. I do all my shopping at thrift stores, so I have come across dry clean only pants that I just wash in "delicate cycle" and hang or lay flat to dry and they turn out fine.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I totally agree with you! Dry cleaning is expensive and overtime dry cleaning fees would be more than the item. I do wash my clothes that are delicate with delicate cycle but I never knew dry clean would work as that feature also! I will keep this in mind next time, thank you!
@kevin1877uk (36987)
•
22 Jan 16
I don't think I've ever had anything "Dry Clean Only" before, think I would stay away from that too.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
Hand wash is okay for me because I have a delicate cycle on my washing machine and I have not had any problems. Maybe in the future these high tech washing machines will have a dry clean only feature! 
Maybe in the future these high tech washing machines will have a dry clean only feature! 1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
I agree with you! But, I just read some other members have bought dry clean and just hand washed, or put in delicate cycle and it turned out fine. I will keep that tip in mind for next time I'm out shopping.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I refuse to buy anything that needs to be dry cleaned.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
Me too! But some members here said they have just hand washed or washed on delicate cycle and it works fine! I am going to keep that in mind for future reference.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
23 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby You can use Dryell too but I still prefer to just wash and wear.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
Exactly my thought too so I didn't buy it. But other members here said they have tried hand washing and it worked out great! I will keep that tip in mind next time.
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
22 Jan 16
I'm careful not to buy dry clean clothes. I did buy some shirts from Goodwill. Once I got home I realized one said dry clean only. I said screw it and threw it into the washing machine. I figured I wasn't losing that much since I only paid about fifty cents for the shirt. All that happened was the shirt came out clean. I asked at a dry cleaners one time what would happen if you washed a dry clean item. All the woman said was that the item could never be dry cleaned again. But I wouldn't try washing an expensive dry clean item. I understand you can buy something to put in your dryer to dry clean clothes.
Have you ever watched them dry clean clothes? I don't know why they call it dry clean. They use a liquid (not water) to clean the clothes. Maybe they should call it, "special liquid clean."
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
That's great to hear your experience that washing dry clean shirts, turned out just fine! Other members responded in this discussion and told me they washed in delicate wash and it was fine! I am going to keep that in mind next time, but definitely I won't buy anything expensive though to try.
1 person likes this
@cintol (11261)
• United States
22 Jan 16
They used to make something where you could dry clean your own items in your dryer. I don't remember the name of it anymore but you might be able to find it. Its hard to find clothes one likes and if you could do it yourself at home it would be worth it.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
I think it is like a garment bag you can put in your washer. I haven't tried it before, but thank you! I will keep that in mind also.
@celticeagle (189957)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Jan 16
I don't buy acetate or others like rayon and such. Now days you can get some pretty good blends. Great thing is they are easy to care for too.
1 person likes this
@ricki_911 (21625)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Jan 16
I couldn't be bothered with dry clean only. Even with your bras it says handwash or wash on delicate. I don't seem to listen to that either 
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@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
22 Jan 16
I bet it was nice to do that congratulations are in order.
1 person likes this
