Can you machine wash a dry clean only sweater?

[Stepharoonie!]

Just wondering, as I just realized a sweater of mine is dry clean only. Can this be machine washed anyways, or will it ruin it?

 

[missyc]

I've done it before. Alone on a short gentle cycle. Then either hang to dry or reshape and lay flat. Depends on how it looks when it comes out of the washer. If it's a "heavy" sweater I wouldn't hang it. The weight might make it dry weird.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have washed one in a sink with very mild soap. After swishing around (very gently) I lay it between 2 towels and blot as dry as I can, being careful to retain the shape of the sweater. I have a rack for my dryer so I lay it on the rack and dry on very low heat. If don't have a dryer with a rack, just lay on a rack and let air dry.

TC

 

[ADisneygirl]

What is it made of? If it is rayon you may find that it shrinks and wrinkles significantly when washed in the machine. I have ruined a few angora sweaters this way too. Be careful.

 

[1stNoel]

It depends on the sweater. Some can be washed others will shrink to Barbie size. Sweaters with Ramie in them seem to shrink the most. Good luck.

 

[orvilleair]

Haven't had much luck when I accidently machine washed it. It didn't shrink, but the sweater became rippled.

Ever try the "Dryel" kit that you can get in the supermarket. It's worth a shot and easy to use. You put the sweater in a bag and a "wet wipe" in the dryer. And it's done after a 1/2 hour in the dryer.

 

[Pop Daddy]

you could do anything you want

 

[dzneelvr]

I took the plunge a few years ago with a sweater embellished with sequins and it turned out great. Since then, I've washed sweaters, skirts, slacks, and blouses --always on the most delicate cycle of the washer (cold or warm, never hot) with liquid detergent, making sure the detergent is dissolved thoroughly before putting the items in.

Then take out immediately after a very short spin and hang up or flat as necessary.
Haven't ruined one yet and the item always smells so fresh and clean! The only things I won't do are blazers and coats--I don't want to have to press the darn things!!
Start out small and go from there. I think too many items say "dry clean" and don't need to be.
The reason I first started is that one sequined top came back from the dry cleaners with a "dull" finish on the sequins. I was very disappointed and thought I could do better.

 

[riopooh]

I machine washed a chenille sweater once - my 4 yo can wear it now!!!

 

[Wathel R Bender]

They make (or at least they did a couple of years ago) a product for dry cleaning items at home in the dryer. I never tried it, but my sister did and I never heard her complain about it. I don't remember the name of the product though.

 

[sjh801]

Bring on the Woolite! I wash a lot of "dry clean only". I just use Woolite and the gentle cycle or hand wash it.

Sandy

 

[Kimickey]

Bring on the Woolite! I wash a lot of "dry clean only". I just use Woolite and the gentle cycle or hand wash it.

I too use Woolite on Dry Clean Only items on the gentle cycle. I either then hang dry or use the dryer on the no heat setting (fluffy) setting to take out some of the excess water. It truley depends on the clothing item.