To many people, dry cleaning can seem like an unnecessary expense. With inflation reaching an all-time high, many consumers have turned to a do-it-yourself (DIY) dry cleaning process at home in an attempt to save money. But does DIY dry cleaning work and does it really save you money in the long run?
To be clear, DIY dry cleaning and laundry are not the same thing. Doing your laundry consists of washing your everyday clothes with a mild detergent and then drying them, usually with a washer and dryer machine. Dry cleaning fabrics, on the other hand, require much more skill and expertise, often involving suits, dress shirts, and other special garments. Many of these garments can be damaged if put into a conventional washing machine, which is why they require delicate clothes cleaning from specialists.
Here we’ll take a closer look at DIY dry cleaning, what this at-home process consists of, and if it’s worth it.
DIY Dry Cleaning: What You Need to Know
DIY dry cleaning is possible, but it can be very tedious, especially if stain removal is necessary. Let’s take a look at what an at-home cleaning process typically looks like:
- First, fill a sink with cool water and mix in a mild detergent.
- Then, put clothing into the sink and gently swish garments around in the water, letting each garment sit for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes have passed, drain the sink and refill with clear water.
- Swish garments in the clear water, repeating draining and refilling the sink until the garments are adequately rinsed.
If stain removal is necessary, it’s best to pre-treat stains with a stain remover. Water alone typically will not remove stains.
Is DIY Dry Cleaning Worth it?
While DIY dry cleaning may save you a trip to the dry cleaners, this process most likely won’t clean your clothes well and any slip-ups could result in irreversible damage. In the long run, it’s faster and even cheaper to bring your garments to your local dry cleaning shop, as damaging these garments at home will just rack up more expenses to replace them. Here are a few reasons why it’s best not to try DIY dry cleaning:
- A high potential for error. If you don’t use a stain remover properly, you could permanently damage your garments to the point where you have to invest significant money to replace them.
- Time commitment. Hand washing garments in a sink or tub takes time. It’s much faster to drop your clothes at a local dry cleaner and pick them up after the experts are finished cleaning them. Plus, they’ll look like new!
But perhaps the biggest reason to leave your dry cleaning to specialists is that dry cleaners are professionals. It’s what they do for a living, so you can rest assured that your items will be cleaned properly. On top of it all, you’re also supporting a local business!When it comes to dry cleaning, choose the best systems for your business and your customers’ clothes. For more information about Rema Dri Vac, contact our support team.