7 Things You Don't Have to Dry Clean

Yes, if the tag says "Dry clean only," you should always take that item in to be cleaned, but frequent visits to the dry cleaner can get expensive! Rather than give up, follow these budget-friendly tips from Carolyn Forté, Director of the GHRI Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Department, to stretch (and sometimes avoid) your trips to the cleaners.

1. Down-filled items
As long as your washing machine doesn't have an agitator, you can try washing down-filled comforters and pillows yourself. Be sure to wash these items in warm water on the gentle cycle with a high efficiency detergent and use an extra cold water rinse. If you have a newer machine, check to see if it has a bedding cycle. Dry on a low setting and toss a new tennis ball or a new canvas sneaker into the dryer to keep the down fluffy.

2. Curtains
You don't need to lug your curtains to the cleaners just to get rid of pesky pet hairs. Put the curtains in the dryer on the air-only option for about 10 minutes and remove immediately afterwards. Shake them out and hang them up so they don't wrinkle. Don't forget to go back and clean out any stray hairs from your dryer's lint filter! If you're in a rush, wrap masking or duct tape around your hand with the sticky side out and pat the curtain to remove stray hairs. A damp sponge or lint roller also works.

Related: 6 Things You're Cleaning Wrong

3. Sweaters
Get a few extra wears out of your sweaters before your next trip to the cleaners with a home dry-cleaning kit. They freshen, eliminate some odors and remove light stains, although Forté advises that you should leave heavily stained or soiled clothing to the professionals. To improve the results at home, button and zip all garments before placing them in the dryer bag. Remove items from the dryer right away, shake them out, and hang up to avoid moisture retention and wrinkling. If you are packing away the sweaters for the season, Forté recommends taking them to the cleaners for a thorough cleaning.

4. Wool and cashmere items
Don't assume that your wool blanket will be costly to clean. Check the label first, says Forté, since not all wool and cashmere items are "dry clean only." If the tag gives you the green light, follow it carefully, which usually means washing wool in cold water on a delicate cycle with low spin and tumble dry on low. For cashmere, it's best to hand wash and air dry it.

5. Blouses
Ask your dry cleaner about the store's policy on cotton shirts, suggests Forté. Many can be laundered, not dry cleaned, which will save you money. In addition, some silk shirts may say "dry clean," not "dry clean only." Try hand washing them in cool water.

Related: Tips to Clean Up Your Laundry Room

6. Suits
While it's best to dry clean both pieces in a suit together, advises Forté, you can save money by bringing in the jacket every second or third time, especially if it isn't stained or just lightly worn-the bottom half generally needs a cleaning more than the top.

7. Pressing clothes
If your main reason for taking an item to the cleaners is to get it pressed, consider buying a garment steamer and de-wrinkling it yourself, says Forté. Make sure to hold the garment taut and go over it lightly, allowing the steam to penetrate the fabric. Check out our reviews of handheld steamers to find one that best suits your needs.

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