Aug

28

How can we dry clean clothes at home

Introduction

Dry cleaning is the process of applying organic solvents other than water to clean garments and fabrics. Professional dry cleaning involves using dangerous chemicals, computerized machines, and other tools; nonetheless, there are ways of safely dry cleaning a couple of garments at home. Home dry cleaning is less invasive, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than commercial dry cleaning. The following are guidelines on safely dry clean your fabrics at home, as described by this article.

What Kinds of Clothing Fabrics Can Be Cleaned with Solvents at Home?

Lightweight Fabrics

– Silk – Any home dry cleaning should be gentle to not damage the fabrics of the silk clothing that you own. Before dry cleaning, be sure to read the care label.

– Cashmere – Formal and casual cashmere sweaters and cashmere accessories can be cleaned at home using home dry cleaning. Avoid over-agitating the fabric.

– Wool – Clothing made of light wool without special coatings can be cleaned at home using dry cleaning methods. Avoid heavy wool items.

Everyday Fabrics

– Rayon – Home dry clean rayon dresses, blouses, skirts, etc. But do not attempt garments with extra detailing.

– Polyester – Most polyester apparel can be washed at home using dry cleaning solutions since the fabric is relatively sturdy.

– Acetate – Home dry-cleaned silk-like acetate apparel can be successfully used.

What You’ll Need

– Vodka or rubbing alcohol

– Baking soda

– A soft cloth

– Clothes drying rack that has been designed in such a way that it allows air to circulate behind the clothes that are being dried.

– Mesh wash bags

– Essential oils (optional)

– Access to sunlight

Safe Solvents to Use while Conducting Home Dry Cleaning

Vodka

Surprisingly, vodka is an excellent dry-cleaning solvent since the alcohol present in vodka can dissolve oil and grease. Add vodka into a spray bottle to pretreat areas that might be extra dirty. Tie your garments in mesh bags to dry them, and clean them in a bucket containing only vodka.

Rubbing Alcohol

Similar to vodka, rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol can act as a solvent for oils. It sanitizes fabrics, too. Employ it to wash carefully some of your delicate apparels or to remove some grease stains before washing. Rubbing alcohol is highly flammable and, thus, should be handled with caution.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an excellent cleaner for dry cleaning at home. The product absorbs grease and eliminates odor. Pour baking soda directly over the clothes. Or put a cup of it into vodka or rubbing alcohol for enhanced disinfecting capabilities. The mild abrasion also helps to clean and freshen fabrics.

Essential Oils (Optional)

Add a few drops lemon, lavender, tea tree or eucalyptus oil in the solvent helps to give a fresh smell to the cloths. Most essential oils also contain antimicrobial effects to assist in removing bacteria from fabrics.

If you are wondering how to clean your clothes at home, the following are the steps to follow when dry cleaning at home:

Step 1 Pretreat Stains

Before dry cleaning, pretreat any visible stains with vodka or rubbing alcohol. This should be done using a soft cloth because rubbing the stain will only deepen the penetration of the stain to the fabric. Do not rub as this can lead to rubbing of the fabric.

Step 2 involves filling the mesh bag with the desired content to create a shape or form.

Put the item to be dry cleaned in a zippered mesh bag and then close it. This helps protect the garment from stretching and snagging when in the process of agitation.

Step 3 – the soaking process in the solvent

It is essential to select a solvent based on the fabric’s care label, so the possible choices are vodka, rubbing alcohol, and so on. Add 1 cup baking soda and, if desired, essential oils. Put the sealed mesh bag in the solution. Allow it to swell for 15-20 minutes.

Step 4 – Agitate

Take out the mesh bag from the solvent and put it into another empty sink or bucket. Rub and massage the bag for about 5-10 minutes to remove dirt and stains without straining the fabric of the bag.

Step 5 – Rinse

Take another bucket and fill it with cold water. Using the mesh bag, immerse the content up and down a few times to wash off any remaining residue. Avoid scrubbing, squeezing or twisting the bag.

Step 6 – Air Dry

Take the garment out of the mesh bag. It’s best to lay it flat or hang it on a vented drying rack away from direct sunlight. Bringing in fresh air assists in evaporating solvent smells. Turn items inside out now and then to ensure that they are dried evenly.

Conclusion

Most materials can be dry cleaned cheaply and efficiently at home with some essential items and precaution taken. Make adaptations depending on the material that needs to be cleaned and whether it requires dry or wet cleaning. It is a cost-effective way to preserve favorite garments without resorting to professional dry cleaning and using incredibly harsh chemicals.