As a busy person myself, I barely have time to do my laundry, so my best bet is to take them to the dry cleaners to wash them for me and that’s how I have learned pretty much everything about the job. Of course, we all know the benefits of dry cleaning clothes, therefore, I wouldn’t want to dwell too much on that.
However, there has been an age-long argument surrounding how dry cleaning cloth can make it last longer and I would love to quickly put that to rest in this article. You might have seen people ask questions like, does dry cleaning extend the life of clothes? Does dry cleaning make cloth last longer? Does dry cleaning sanitize clothes?
These and some other related questions will be considered in this overview in the bid to establish valid points that will lead us to the achievement of our set objective.
Does dry cleaning make clothes last longer?
Yes, dry cleaning makes clothes last longer. Contrary to the popular opinion that dry cleaning shortens the lifespan of clothes, the truth is, instead of shortening the lifespan of your cloth, dry cleaning will make it last longer. This is because of certain factors which will be discussed below.
1. It tackles stains better
Dry cleaners make use of a solvent called Perchloroethylene to clean your cloth. This solvent is capable of penetrating deeper into your clothing fabric, dissolving and removing oil, or any tough stains and odors that would have reduced the value of your clothes. Therefore, by dry cleaning your clothe (even though it might be at the expense of extra charges) you have chosen one of the safest methods to prevent your clothes from getting ruined.
2. It involves the less abrasive process
Compared to the conventional ways of washing clothes, whether by hand or in the washing machine, dry cleaning is less abrasive and safer. Before the laundry can be effectively done by hand or by machine, it has to be agitated or heated which could be harmful to some fabrics. The process of dry cleaning is gentler and slower, hence, the reason why your clothing fabric may not fade even if it is made of delicate material if you choose this method.
Does handwashing clothes make them last longer?
Yes, handwashing clothes may help preserve their quality and extend their lifespan further. The sad reality is, laundering with the hand is a lot safer compared to washing with a machine and is considered by many as the cheapest alternative to dry cleaning which is considered to be the safest.
However, before choosing to wash your hands, be sure it is the safest method because washing with the machine is more convenient and faster. If you are dealing with delicate items like swimwear, knitwear, raw denim, and sportswear hand washing is the ideal method to use. But when dealing with other materials like cotton, silk, and linen, you might want to use a washing machine.
Does dry cleaning keep clothes from fading?
Yes, dry cleaning keeps clothes from fading. If you so much cherish your cloth and you can not afford to see it fade, you had better start saving up for dry cleaning services because that is the surest way of assuring that the color of your favorite cloth is preserved.
Washing clothes with hands or in the washing machine requires the use of soap and water which sometimes may be too harsh and cause your cloth to shrink, stain, or fade. Dry cleaning uses a much gentler cleaning agent that can safely remove all dirt, sweat, or grime from clothes without any damaging effect.
Does dry cleaning spoil clothes?
No, dry cleaning does not spoil clothes. Dry cleaning, instead of spoiling your cloth will preserve its quality for you. However, do not go overboard with it! In as much as dry cleaning is safe, it should not be used all the time and frequently. This is because the solvent used in dry cleaning is hydrocarbon-based and if used repeatedly on your cloth, it may end up breaking the bonds between the fibers.
When this happens, the fabric of your cloth may become weaker. Asides from that, there are certain fabrics like PVC, plastic, or polyurethane that are not dry clean safe. If you dry clean clothes made with these materials, they may end up being damaged.
Does dry cleaning sanitize clothes?
Yes, dry cleaning sanitizes clothes. Dry cleaning will not just help to remove stains from your cloth, it also helps to disinfect them. Asides from the fact that dry cleaners make use of anti-bacteria additives, the temperature that your cloth is exposed to during the steaming process will also ensure that your cloth is germs or bacteria-free.
Is it bad to keep clothes in a dry-cleaning bag?
No, it is not bad to store clothes in the dry cleaner’s bag. Dry cleaners put washed clothes inside a plastic bag to keep them clean, dry, and completely stain-free until it is delivered back to you. Although this bag has the potential of storing moisture which could cause your cloth to look moldy, however, as long as there’s space for air to get into the bag, you shouldn’t have a problem keeping your clothes in them.
Is dry cleaning bad for your clothes?
No, dry-cleaning is not bad for clothes. Dry cleaning is a safe cleaning method for clothes and therefore, as long as your cloth is dry clean worthy, you should have no problem with dry cleaning them.
What to do when dry cleaners ruin your cloth?
Yes, dry cleaners are professionals, however, they are also humans and vulnerable to mistakes. Should in case this happens, you can guarantee that you will be fully compensated for the damages by following the steps below.
1. Make complaints
The first step is to inform them about the damage. They will offer to compensate you for the damages. If they don’t, then you can ask them to choose between the following terms.
- Propose to them that you will repair the damages but they are to pay the cost of repair.
- Item replacement if the damage is irreparable.
- Make a formal complaint to the trade union
If your offer is turned down, reach out to the trade association in your area and let them know about your grievances. Ask them to investigate, and if after investigation, it was discovered that the dry cleaner is at fault, they will ensure that you are compensated in full.
2. Opt for Alternative Dispute resolution
The main aim of Alternative Dispute Resolution is to settle conflicts without having to go to court. Take advantage of this with evidence showing several attempts you have made to ensure that the damages are rectified. You can make use of this method after 8 weeks of no response from the dry cleaner.
3. Consider independent report and test
After several failed attempts to get the attention of the dry cleaner, you can seek the service of an independent organization to meddle in the affairs and generate a report. If after the investigation and after receiving the report, the dry cleaner refuses to respond, you can use the report as evidence in court. Note that this method may be costly.
4. Go to court
If all persuasion attempts proved abortive, take the issue to court as the last resort with evidence. Note that this method is only valid for 6 years, starting from when you made your first complaint to the dry cleaner.
What cloth should not be dry-cleaned?
Do not dry clean items made up of, PVC, plastic, and polyurethane. And also, clothing fabrics like cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic, and acetate can withstand the agitation of washing machines, and therefore, they don’t need to be dry cleaned.
“Your home is a representation of yourself, and it should only be filled with clean items that you enjoy and use”
Professional cleaning expert
