Top Tips for Dry Cleaning Fabrics

Cleaning fabrics can be tricky at the best of times, especially when your fabric is marked with that lovely “DC-Dry cleaning only” designation. You may be wondering if there’s anything you should know about the care of dry clean fabrics. Below are a few tips for cleaning these delicate fabrics.

• The bigger the stain, the less you should try to tend to it yourself. Don’t try to be a hero. When in doubt, call a professional dry cleaning service.
• Vacuum the area first to see what you can remove before you bring in any cleaner.
• If you do try to address a very, very small stain yourself with a cleaner, only use a dry cleaning solvent. These work best with fabrics labeled as “S-Spot cleaning only with a water-free dry cleaning solvent.” Use a dry cleaning solvent on a fabric labeled as “DC-Dry cleaning only” at your own risk.
• Always, always test the cleaner in a hidden area of the fabric first.
• Rather than rubbing, blot the area as delicately as you can with a cloth that has the cleaner applied to it. And never, ever rub the stain from the inside out, as that will spread the stain.