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
Put Your DIY to Good Use and Try These Crafting Hacks
Love to DIY? Put your skills to good use and try these crafting hacks.
Say Goodbye to Curtains and Hello to Opaque Frosted Glass!
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.
Get Wax Out of Your Clothes Easily with This Guide
If you've got wax stuck on your fabrics, this is the best way to go about removing it.
Here's How to Clean Hard-to-Reach Spots In Your Car & Home
It's not nice when you can't get something in your house or car as clean as you want it to be, but as you will see, where there's a will, there's a way...
These Cleaning Hacks Are All You Need to Clean Your Home
Don't waste time on chores! Clean your home quickly and efficiently with these quick hacks.
Learn the Ultimate Way to Remove Mildew Smell From Towels
If you ever forget to remove your towels from the washing machine once the cycle had finished, then you're going to need this simple guide.
Learn to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: Step by Step Tutorial
after watching this step by step video tutorial, you’ll know how to replace a bathroom faucet like a real pro...
A Super-Quick & Easy Method For Removing Labels From Jars
If you use jars for storage, here's the quickest and easiest way of removing pesky brand labels from them. Two ingredients and a few minutes are all you need.
The BEST Craft Idea For the Little Princesses in Your Life
Make this cute princess charm you can hang on a bag, and it's both easy and fun!
Stunning! The Evolution of Beauty From 1952 to Today
Our definition of beauty may change as years go by but these pictures prove that true beauty is timeless.
Your Toilet Won't Flush? Here are 6 Easy Ways to Fix It!
Toilet won’t flush properly? Before calling the plumber, you can fix it yourself with this guide.
Don’t Let Broken Zippers Bother You Again. I’ve Found a Fix!
Don’t throw away your favorite pair of pants because of a broken zipper. Grab and needle and thread and try this easy fix.
These Potatoes Will Definitely Make Your Dish Stand Out
Every great dish needs a great side dish to complement it. These Baked-twice potatoes are such a side dish.
How to Celebrate Christmas Without Going Into Debt
You can be frugal and festive at the same time. We shared some tips on how to save on energy bills and gifts this Christmas.
10 of the Fastest-Growing Vegetables
There is a variety of fast-growing vegetables, including legumes, leafy greens, and root vegetables. We feature 10 of the fastest-growing veggies in this article.
Follow These 3 Easy Steps to Ripen an Avocado in Minutes
This foolproof trick will make your rock hard avocado soft and creamy in mere minutes. Just follow these simple instructions...
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.
GUIDE: How to Turn a Towel into a Monkey, Swan or Snake!
If you think you know how to fold towels, you're wrong! This is how you do it. Now you'll see what an art form it really is. These towel animals are ace!
Guide: Did You Know About These Extra Uses?
This collection features the best tips and alternative uses for many of your household items. Each of these posts has a lot of information for alternative uses to make your lives easier.
Keep Your Bananas Fresh Much Longer With These Hacks
Don't want your bananas to ripen too fast? These tips will help keep them fresh and flavorful for longer.
DIY: Make Your Own Chemical Free Gel Air Freshener
Gel air fresheners smell wonderful, but they're often filled with chemicals. Make your own chemical-free air freshener with this DIY.
10 Essential Tips to Revamp Your Home on a Budget
Looking to renovate your home? Here's how to do so on a budget.
Mold Will Be a Thing of the Past With These Home Remedies
Mildew and mold are pesky household invaders. Here are 5 easy ways to get rid of them using just natural household ingredients.
15 Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Spotless With Ease
Tips and tricks that'll help you keep your home clean with speed and ease.
Orange Peels: Read Our Full Usage Guide!
I have at least 45 good reasons for you not to throw those orange peels away. They're really helpful and healthy in so many ways!
These Natural Cleaning Solutions Will Remove Anything!
Who would have thought that countless chores around your home can be tackled with these easy, natural cleaning solutions?
These Phone Stand Ideas Are Nothing Short of Awesome
It's way too easy simply to go out and buy your own phone stand - why not have a go at making your own at home? Here are 32 unique phone stand ideas.
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!
For Beautiful Hair and Skin, Neem Tree Oil Is All You Need
This natural remedy is all you need in your medicine cabinet for great hair and skin.
Vintage Beauty and Self-Care Tips We Should All Be Using
Here we feature 14 really effective, but often forgotten vintage beauty. Best of all, nearly all of these tips use items you have at home
14 Common Plants That Are Toxic for Your Pets
Did you realize that many of the plants in our environment are toxic for your pets? Find out which here. If you noticed that your pet has consumed any of these plants, contact your local veterinarian or Animal Poison Control center immediately.
Guide: How We Use Different Acids for Skin Treatments
Understanding how these acids work and their specific benefits will empower you to make informed decisions about your skincare routine.
All My Life I've Been Opening Bananas Wrong. Shocked.
I Never Knew How to Really Open a Banana...
The 6 Most Common Mattress Shopping Mistakes You’re Making
Planning on buying a new mattress? Do keep these tips in mind.
Have You Been Making These Toilet Paper Mistakes Too?
The next time you use toilet paper, avoid these mistakes.
Why Buy Candles When You Can Make Your Own at Home?
Why spend money on expensive candles when you can easily make your own? This guide will show you how.
29 Psychological Tricks that Make You Spend More Money!
What are the psychological tactics used by salespeople, marketers, and retailers that make us buy more?
WATCH: I Had No Idea Coconut Oil Was THIS Useful!
Coconut oil is a substance you need both in your kitchen and in your medicine cabinet, as you're about to see with these 10 unexpected uses.
13 Great Secret Hiding Spots That Burglars Will Never Find
Here are a few practical places to properly hide your cash and valuables from professional criminals.
If You Have Glasses, Here Are 12 Tips You Should Know...
Broken hinges, misplacement. These occurrences mean we sometimes need assistance in the vision department .These are 12 hacks to get by without spectacles.
Our Complete Guide to Peeling Fruits and Vegetables!
Each fruit and vegetable has a different way of being effectively peeled. Our guide will teach you the very best methods!
Make Your Garden As Beautiful as Can be With Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are highly rich in nutrients, and this means that they're great for helping flowers and trees to grow beautifully and healthily. Read these 15 tips.
13 Ways to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
These tips will help you adjust your shoes to your feet, and even enhance them to prevent issues like wetness, squeaking, wrinkling, or pain.
The Best Plant Milks For Every Task
Different plant milks work best for various tasks, which can be tricky. This culinary guide will help you choose the best ones for you
These Handy Tools Are On a Whole Other Level!
Watch some of the most brilliant and helpful tools out there.
Who Needs a Professional Cleaner With These Tips?
These stubborn stains can easily be removed with a little guidance.
DIY: 12 Ways to Give Your Plastic Bottles New Life
Recycling is good but did you know there are lots of other things you can do with plastic bottles? Here are 12 ideas for do-it-yourself projects to create masterpieces out of junk.