Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scarlett VonDetta on August 8, 2012 at 8:41am

I actually wash everything. I never dry clean. I took a vintage dress to dry clean once and they ruined it!! There was no way to replace it either. It was my Grandma's so needless to say that left a sour taste in my mouth.

I hand wash in the washer cold water only. And lay flat to dry. I don't hang as it leaves the indentation from the hanger. Never dry. I did this to my DD Victorian Rose skirt. The flower print fabric shrinks the black lining does not so I just had to fix that.

When sticking in the wash put in a pillow case. And wrap a simple hair tie to close it. It helps from wrapping the center if your washer is like that.

Don't use hard detergents. I use all free and clear. So there's no scents or anything to it.

I wear my stuff often and it still looks good. I steam iron my clothes. Or if I need to iron I just place a handkerchief on garment then iron with steam still.

I own alot of DD and and PUG and this works for other non PUG.

This isn't to say you'd have a bad experience with cleaners and nothing against it. This is just what I do :)

Permalink Reply by Sarah F. on August 8, 2012 at 8:45am

Ohhh thank you thank you, this is all tremendously helpful advice! I had half-remembered the pillowcase trick (only in regards to there was some sort of bag you could put delicates in), but that's much clearer. The flat dry trick is good too.

Thank you again!

Permalink Reply by Sarah F. on August 8, 2012 at 11:51am

Ooh, good point. Red is definitely a trickier one than most!

Permalink Reply by lindsey vivienne on August 8, 2012 at 12:23pm

any one chanced hand washing an AVA?

Permalink Reply by Sarah F. on August 8, 2012 at 1:41pm

Again re:red, I wonder if throwing some of those color-catcher sheets into the wash would help with bleeding issues?

Permalink Reply by Zoë on August 9, 2012 at 3:25pm

Good to know not everybody runs to the drycleaner every time! I try not to wash them too often. Instead I sometimes hang worn pieces outside for a night. The morning haze really freshes it up. Over here (Europe) there is a saying that the morning haze takes the smell away. Afterwards steam iron for getting back the right shape or losing creases.

Permalink Reply by CK on August 11, 2012 at 7:34am

I have never dry cleaned any of my PUG items. I really only dry clean items such as expensive heavy coats and jackets.

I usually put my items in the hand wash cycle of the machine then dry them inside. I have accidentally washed one of my joanie tops in a hot cotton cycle and it was fine.

I think a lot of companies write 'dry clean only' to cover themselves if something does go wrong but I read the label, take the risk and if something goes wrong I will accept responsibility. I have never ever had an issue, though. I did have red colour run on a Collectif dress from the dress to the collar once but it came out with another wash straight away.  If I was to take every 'dry clean only' item in my wardrobe to the dry cleaners, I'd be there every day and spend a fortune.