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How to Save Money on Dry Cleaning. Knowing just a few clothes care tips can save you
tons of money on dry cleaning. You will need Neatness Roomy closet Garment brush and home
dry-cleaning kit. Step 1. Take that "dry clean only" label with a grain of salt. Many silks,
wools, and linens can be hand-washed safely in cold water. But be aware that silk is more
susceptible to fading over time if it's hand laundered. Never wash leather, suede, acetate,
rayon, and fine silks. If you hand wash an item marked "dry clean only" and you ruin
it, it is your responsibility. Step 2. Before washing a "dry clean only" item, dip a small,
inconspicuous edge of the garment in water. If it shrivels up, take it to the dry cleaner.
Pure silk, crepe de chine, shantung, and doupioni silk are good candidates for hand washing
in cold water. Chiffon, georgette, taffeta, silk satin, and charmeuse should be dry-cleaned.
Step 3. Hang your clothes as soon as you step out of them to reduce the chances that they'll
get wrinkled or stained. Step 4. Leave space around dry-clean-only clothes so they have
a chance to breathe in your closet. Never leave them in plastic garment bags; humidity
can get trapped in the bag and cause mildewing. Step 5. Lengthen the time between dry cleanings
for your wool suits by wiping away surface dirt and lint with a garment brush after wearing
and then letting them air out for a day or two. Step 6. Use home dry-cleaning kits on
unsoiled items that just need a bit of freshening. They're good at removing odors like smoke.
Step 7. Don't pay for dry cleaning just because you hate ironing: Launder easily wrinkled
items at home and just pay the cleaner to press them. Step 8. Limit the new items you
buy that require dry cleaning. The costs add up fast, making a moderately-priced garment
an expensive one in no time at all. Did you know Scientists working for the U.S. Air Force
have developed a self-cleaning fabric that repels water, oil, and bacteria.