7 things you should never dry clean, from baby clothes to active wear, and what to do at home instead

Burgundy cottage laundry room with white counters, gold rail across the cabinet with a curtain instead of a door. There are peach and cream china plates on display on a shelf .

Have you ever wondered about the things you should never dry clean?

It might be a brilliant way to freshen up fabrics you can't put in your washing machine, but, say our laundry pros, there are still plenty of things which can't, or shouldn't, be taken to the dry cleaners.

Here, they share their laundry tips on which garments shouldn't be dry cleaned and how to wash them instead.

7 things you should never dry clean

1. Baby clothes

Avoid exposing your baby's clothes to harsh chemicals (Image credit: Future)

Baby clothes are among the items you should always wash in hot water, and, therefore, are among the things you should never dry clean, says Rechelle Balanzat, founder and CEO of Juliette.

She explains, 'Dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals, like perchloroethylene, that can leave behind residue. Baby skin is especially sensitive to these, which can cause irritation or allergic reactions.'

Instead, she advises, machine wash baby clothes after checking the laundry symbols, using a gentle, fragrance-free detergent, such as the Purex Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart.

'Always skip fabric softeners and opt for a double rinse cycle to ensure all soap is gone,' she adds.

2. Leather and suede

Dry cleaning can damage and discolor suede and leather. (Image credit: Future)

Alicia Sokolowski, laundry expert and co-CEO of AspenClean, advises, 'Dry cleaning chemicals can strip the natural oils from leather and suede, causing them to dry out fast, crack, or stiffen. Suede is especially sensitive and can be permanently damaged by moisture and heat used in some dry cleaning processes.'

So, to clean faux leather or leather, wipe it first with a damp cloth and then use a natural leather cleaner or conditioner designed for the specific type of leather. 'Test this method in a hidden, inconspicuous area first,' recommends Alicia.

For suede, and cleaning suede shoes, use a suede brush, such as the Shacke Suede & Nubuck Leather Brush Cleaner available at Amazon, and a suede eraser for spots and stains. We recommend the Crep Protect Suede Scuff Eraser, also available at Amazon, for this. 'For really tough stains, it's better to see a specialist who deals only with suede or leather materials,' Alicia adds.

3. Activewear

Wash activewear in cold water to swerve stretching. (Image credit: Future)

Even if you're clued up on how to do laundry, washing activewear can be tricky. But, as Rechelle explains, dry cleaning is not the answer.

'Most activewear is made with spandex, Lycra, or elastane blends – materials that can break down or lose elasticity when exposed to dry cleaning solvents,' she says.

'Machine wash inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle. Skip the dryer and lay flat or hang dry to preserve stretch and shape.' The Joseph Joseph Eclipse indoor clothes airer is perfect for tiny spaces, and our top pick for sleek and stylish air-drying. Alternatively, the Mainstays Collapsible Bamboo Drying Rack available at Walmart is a great, affordable option.

4. Wool and cashmere

Prevent pilling by hand-washing your wool and cashmere garments at home. (Image credit: Future)

Wool and cashmere are both things you should never dry clean, says Alicia.

'Dry cleaning can leave behind chemical residues that irritate the skin, and the process can remove the natural oils that make wool and cashmere soft and resilient,' she explains. 'Frequent dry cleaning may also weaken the fibers.' This, adds Rechelle, can also make wool and cashmere prone to pilling.

Therefore, it's best to brush up on how to hand-wash clothes, and wash cashmere by hand, and hand-wash wool. Importantly, they're both things to never put in the washing machine.

'Hand wash in cold water with a natural mild laundry detergent, such as the AspenClean Unscented Laundry Detergent available at Amazon, suitable for delicate materials,' directs Alicia. 'Gently press out excess water with a towel, but never wring. Reshape and make sure to dry flat to prevent stretching.'

Using a specific drying rack, such as the OXO Good Grips Folding Sweater Drying Rack available at Amazon, makes this easy.

5. Raincoats

Ensure your waterproof stays waterproof by swerving the dry cleaners. (Image credit: Future)

Your raincoat is your best defence against wet weather, so the last thing you'll want is for the waterproofing to degrade. So, says Rechelle, avoid taking it to the dry cleaners.

'For raincoats, especially with polyurethane or waterproof coatings, dry cleaning solvents can degrade or strip the water-resistant coatings, rendering the garment ineffective against the rain,' she warns. 'Instead, spot clean with mild soap and water, or hand wash if necessary. Let it air dry – heat can also damage waterproof layers.'

There are plenty of benefits of air-drying laundry, too, like banishing musty odors from your raincoat and freshening up the fabric.

6. Embellished garments

Spot clean embellished items to avoid irreparable damage. (Image credit: Little Greene)

Rechelle explains, 'Solvents can loosen adhesives, melt embellishments, or tarnish delicate finishes. The tumbling process can also cause pieces to detach.'

For this reason, always spot clean embellished items, following the golden rules of stain removal, with a damp, soft cloth and mild detergent, such as the Woolite Delicates Laundry Detergent available at Walmart, which is suitable for both hand and machine washing.

'If the fabric underneath is washable, you can try to hand wash the garment gently inside-out in cold water and air dry flat,' suggests Alicia. These types of garments are also things you should never iron.

7. Clothing with heavy stains from body oils or sweat

Dry cleaning water-based stains can actually make them worse instead of better. (Image credit: Future PLC)

Finally, says Alicia, dry cleaning is ineffective against water-based stains like sweat or deodorant, which can actually become set in the fabric after the process.

'Pre-treat the stained area with baking soda paste, vinegar, or a natural oxygen-bleach, such as the Unscented Oxygen Bleach Powder available at Amazon,' she advises. 'Hand wash or machine wash on cold, depending on the fabric.

'Then, air dry and check the stain before using heat to dry.'

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Adjustable

Joseph Joseph Eclipse Drying Rack

We love this stylish clothes airer, which folds completely flat for storage and hides drying laundry from view with a seamless screen.

Hypoallergenic

Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Liquid

This gentle, 3-in-1 detergent is scent-free, hypoallergenic, and tough on 100% of common stains, for a deep clean that's gentle on skin.

No-rinse formula

Soak Laundry Soap

This laundry detergent is made with plant-derived ingredients and is great for delicates. One bottle is enough for more than 75 washes.

FAQs

What happens if I machine wash dry clean only items?

Washing items labelled 'dry clean only' in your washing machine is a surefire way to damage them, most likely beyond repair. Common issues include needing to know what to do if you've shrunk clothes, color bleeding, and significant fabric distortion, particularly when washing wool or washing silk.

Meet our experts

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Are you aware of the things you aren't washing enough? There are likely plenty of things around your house, such as blankets and curtains, that could do with some extra attention.