Before you try to clean something yourself, you need to take a look at the label. This is because there are certain kinds of materials and fabrics that are extremely difficult to clean at home, and which are best left to professionals. Garments which you should send to professional dry cleaners include:
• Suede
• Fur
• Feathers
• Velvet
• Taffeta
• Anything with delicate beading or stitching
Certain fabrics are actually able to withstand machine washing, in spite of what the clothing label says. These include:
• Linen
• Cotton
• Durable polyesters
To machine wash them, you'll first need to get your hands on a specialized mesh bag for washing delicates. Then, place the articles of clothing inside it, and put it in your washing machine. Use only cold water and a mild detergent, and set your washing machine to a gentle cycle. Once the cycle is complete, immediately remove everything from the washing machine and either lay them flat or hang them to dry.
'Dry clean only' fabrics which are able to withstand being washed by hand are:
• Cotton
• Wool
• Silk
This technique is a little bit more complicated than machine-washing, but once you get the hang of it, you'll never send the above fabrics to the dry cleaner again. Here's what you need to do:
1. Fill up a bucket or sink with cold water and add some mild detergent to it, before mixing it a little to make the water foamy.
2. Dip your garment in and out of the water until it is thoroughly soaked through. Use your fingertips to get the grime out of tough stains.
3. Drain the soapy water and refill it with clean cold water.
4. Keep dipping your article of clothing in the water until all of the soap is gone. Change the water once more if required.
5. Lay it on a clean white towel and push the water out. At this stage, it is very important not to twist the water out of your clothes, since doing so may damage them.
6. Place another white towel on top of the garment, and slowly roll the towel up and down, while squeezing gently. Repeat this for 3 to 5 times.
7. Reshape your clothing, and lay it flat on another towel to dry. Ensure that wool products are kept away from heat and direct sunlight.
Leather jackets can be quite sensitive, so make sure to read the label for any special instructions apart from 'dry clean only' before attempting to clean one yourself.
For light surface care, the best thing to do is to use a damp towel to remove any grime and dirt that may have accumulated, ensuring that you don't rub too hard. For tougher stains, a leather stain removal spray may come in handy.
You are also able to hand wash leather jackets by soaking them in a small basin filled with Castile soap or some dishwashing liquid. Then, gently rub the dirt out of the affected areas, and air it dry when you've finished.
Sources: thesecretyumiverse, wonderhowto
Images: depositphotos
Related Articles:
9 Tips to Care for Suede Boots
The Worst Washing Up Mistakes We Make
Here's How to Make Pretty Opaque Window Frosting!
If curtains aren't really your thing, then why not give opaque window frosting a chance? Here's how to make your own at home.
Fixing a Car Has Never Been Easier Thanks to This Guide
Discover how to diagnose and fix 16 common car problems thanks to the awesome video guides.
The Right Way to Fold a Sweater and Keep it Lasting Longer
This guide will teach you exactly how to fold your sweaters.
How Often Do You Wash These Items? We're Guessing Too Much
How often do you wash these 10 items? Probably a lo more than you need to...
Re-purpose Your Old Clay Pots Into Something Special!
Clay pots are rather mundane things if there isn't something quite spectacular growing out of them, but you can use them to make something amazing...
Pears Aren't Just Yummy, They're Incredibly Healthy Too
No wonder the ancient Greeks believed pears were a gift from the Gods! There are loads of health benefits contained in these juicy wonders...
These Insane Motorbike Stunts Will Make You Doubt Your Eyes
Motorbike stunts that completely defy the laws of gravity!
13 Great Ways to Decorate Your Potted Plants
Use one of the methods outlined in the following article to decorate your potted plants in an original way.
DIY Secrets: Make Your Own, Home-Made Ziploc Bags!
This video will teach you how to make your own home-made Ziploc bags.
Suits You, Sir! How to Dress Like a Real Gentleman
It might not seem hard, but wearing a suit well is not a skill most men are born with. Here's our guide to dressing like a real dapper gentleman.
17 Organizing Hacks You Will Actually Use
Get more organized at home with these effective and cheap organization hacks.
Fold a Napkin Into a Rose for a Unique Table Setting
Learn to set a table with napkin folding, giving a unique touch to your dinner table.
DIY Corner: A Cool Technique for Christmas Decorations!
This is how you can use packing tape to make a sticker out of anything. Sounds too easy? It truly is!
11 DIY Lamp Shades That’ll Brighten Up Every Home!
Lighting makes all the difference in a house's atmosphere but is usually super expensive. now you can make your own lampshades at a fraction of the cost!
Make Your Home Smell Amazing with These 2 Ingredients
You can make your home smell absolutely amazing by using just these two ingredients. This video will show you how to make your own air freshener.
Can’t Fit Anything in the Car? 11 Clever Car Cleaning Tips
Tired of not being able to fit your groceries into the car? With these 11 car organization tips, your car will always look neat and free of clutter.
5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being Stressed
Can stress have a positive effect on your body and mind? Discover the health benefits of stress here.
9 Tips to Keep Your Sweater from Shedding This Winter
Winter is almost here, and it’s time to protect your sweaters from shedding.
Have Some Tennis Balls? Do Something Useful With Them!
We will teach you how to convert tennis balls into a massage tool for sore muscles, a hidden safe for valuables, an effective cleaning tool, and more.
How to Distinguish between Chinese, Korean, and Japanese
After reading this guide, you'll be able to tell the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese languages apart!
11 Things You Should NEVER Dump Into the Kitchen Sink
Even a garbage disposal won’t be able to handle these 11 things, so make sure to toss them directly into the trash instead of the kitchen sink
The Right Way to Fold a Sweater and Keep it Lasting Longer
This guide will teach you exactly how to fold your sweaters.
The Essential Cheat Sheet for Every Fashionista
Everyone will be able to get something useful from these fashion and clothing care infographics.
6 Ways to Make Your Hands Look and Feel Younger
Give your hands a little TLC with these helpful remedies.
Easily Create These 8 Natural Sprays
Eight wonderful recipes to make eight natural sprays that can make your life easier and healthier.
The Devil Is in the Detail, Even When it Comes to Cleaning...
This guide shows you how to clean every room in your home, as well as specific parts of each one. You won't find a more detailed home cleaning guide than this.
How to Increase Water Pressure in Your Shower: 9 Tips
Is the water pressure really slow in your shower? Here’s what you should do to improve it.
9 Body Language Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making
most communication between people is through body language, make sure you're not conveying the wrong messages by avoiding the 9 mistakes.
Discover How to Use Turmeric to Remove Unwanted Hair
Turmeric is a wonderful spice from India that has a whole myriad of different applications. Here's how to make 5 turmeric-based masks for unwanted hair removal.
6 Great Benefits of Waking Up Early
Do you promise yourself that you'll wake up early the next day, but at the moment of truth you hit the snooze button? Stop this with these 11 tips!
10 Essential Tips to Revamp Your Home on a Budget
Looking to renovate your home? Here's how to do so on a budget.
15 Microwave Tips Everyone Should Be Told About
Microwaves can be used even more than you'd imagine. Here are 15 more ways in which you can use your microwave that you probably didn’t know about.
How Waking Up at 5.30am Will Change Your Life!
Find out how waking up at 5.30am will have a positive impact on your life.
14 Surprising Foods You Can Indulge Without Gaining Weight
Here are 14 nutritious foods you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty or afraid that you’ll gain weight. Enjoy!
Tea Is Much More Than a Drink. It Has MANY Other Uses!
Tea isn't just for drinking, it's one of the most helpful materials in the house!
11 Household Lifehacks You Should Never Forget
These 11 tips are complete life savers!
When Out Shopping, Avoid These 8 Generic Foods!
Generic foods are becoming more and more popular, but are they always a bargain? Here are 8 foods you should never buy generic.
How to Beat Knee Pain While Going Up and Down the Stairs
Knee hurts while climbing stairs? These tips might just help.
COLLECTION: Growing Tips for Outdoor and Indoor Plants
Dive into the world of indoor and outdoor plants with these 10 great guides to show you the way.
11 Natural Ingredients That'll Help You Get Rid of Odor
Suffer from unpleasant odors? Here's what to do about it.
Banish Your Skin's Pimply Blemishes with These 8 Remedies
You thought and hoped you'd left those acne ridden days behind you. Well with these 8 home-remedies you may finally be able to enjoy pimple free skin.
Ten Things You Can Do With Sugar You Never Knew About
Sugar can do a whole lot more than just make things sweet.
Is Your Garden Healthy? Test It with These Soil Tips
How healthy is your garden? Test it out with these helpful tips.
I Lost My Double-Chin After I Learned This Great Tip..
Get rid of double chins and neck fat with this simple daily exercise.
9 Tips to Ensure You Drink Enough Healthy Water Every Day!
Water is so important for our health it's hard to overstate. But most people find it rather dull. So, here are some tips to make sure you get enough.
Guide: 10 Stunning Hairdos You Can Do Yourself at Home
These simple yet impressive hairstyles will leave you feeling confident and stylish for any occasion.