Free Dry Cleaning Delivery Service in Seattle, WA - We Wash 24 (2023)

FAQs

What do dry cleaners do with clothes that aren't picked up? ›

What Happens to Abandoned Garments? Most states do not allow dry cleaning companies to keep the abandoned property. Instead, they have to donate it to charity. Companies have the option of dropping it off at a church, Goodwill, or another charity or giving it to someone in need.

From the need to produce a solvent that can replace the use of perc, came four other methods of dry cleaning (a.k.a "green" dry cleaning): synthetic petroleum (DF-2000), siloxane (Green Earth), liquid carbon dioxide and wet cleaning.

The fundamental difference between dry cleaning and laundering is water; dry-cleaning does not use water while laundering does. Most dry cleaners use chemical solvents like perchloroethylene (PERC) to get rid of stains like pen ink while the process of laundering uses gentler soaps and detergents.

Hand Washing‍

Most common dry-cleaning fabrics can be hand-washed, including lace, silk, wool, denim, and many other delicate. Fill up a small washing basin with water and your chosen detergent and gently press the water through the fabric. Definitely do not wring the water out!

Of course, some people will soil their clothes more quickly than others depending on where and how often they wear the garments, but usually you can wear something that has been dry cleaned at least three times before it needs to be dry cleaned again. This is due to the process the garments go through when dry cleaned.

Use a hairdryer

Hold the hairdryer near the clothing and dry it spot by spot with hot or warm air. Rotate the garment frequently and make sure to dry it from the inside out. Pro tip: Be careful not to point the hairdryer in one spot for too long.

Certain fabrics like cotton, nylon, polyester, spandex, acrylic, and acetate don't need dry cleaning. Durable materials can withstand the exposure to water, detergents, and a dryer machine. If you're unsure as to whether a sweater, t-shirt, or slacks should get the rinse cycle check the tags.

Your clothing isn't ruined if you've spilled your morning coffee, splashed oil while cooking or had your pen leak in your pocket. A full service dry cleaner can remove most stains, provided you act quickly and communicate about the existence of the stain.

But, is dry cleaning better for your clothes than regular washing? Absolutely. In fact, dry cleaning doesn't damage clothes; it actually preserves them! Today, we're debunking 3 of the most common myths about dry cleaning to help you better protect the longevity of your clothing.

Take in your dry cleaning early

The best time to have a garment cleaned is as soon after it is soiled as possible. The longer dirt and stains stay on clothing, the harder they will be to remove.

Does dry cleaning actually wash your clothes? ›

Dry cleaning launders and cleans clothes and fabrics using a chemical solvent containing little or no water. A dry cleaning solvent cleans the surface of materials but does not penetrate the fiber like water does in a washing machine. It also prevents stretching and shrinking.

Use a dehumidifier

As poor ventilation is a common cause of musty smelling clothes, homeowners should use a dehumidifier as this will take excess moisture out of the air, making it much easier for laundry to dry, according to experts at Clean and Tidy Living.

Consider the fabric.

Unless the label suggests otherwise, take silk, acetate, velvet, wool, and taffeta items to the dry cleaner. On the other hand, you can usually wash cotton, linen, cashmere, polyester, acrylic, and nylon at home.

Jeans can typically be worn 3 times before washing. Leggings and tights should be washed after every wear to get rid of the baggy knees. Suits typically can be worn several times during normal use before dry cleaning (3-4 times for wool and 4-5 times for synthetics).

Set an expiration date for the items in your closet. If you live in a four-season climate and you haven't worn a piece of clothing in a year, it's probably time to donate it. And if you live in a one- or two-season climate, then you likely should let go of something you haven't worn in the past six months.

Dryer balls are most commonly made of tightly compressed wool, but can also be made of plastic or rubber. They help prevent laundry from clumping together in the dryer by tumbling between layers and separating fabric. This action allows warm air to circulate better which can even help reduce drying time.

There are two common things which can warm up the hanging clothes and thus make them dry quicker: ambient hot air, and light. All else being equally, wet clothes hanging on a hot day will dry much quicker than wet clothes hanging on a cold day.

Throw in the towel

Throw a dry bath towel in with the garments you need dried quickly. The towel will absorb some of the moisture, making your items dry faster. Remember to take out the towel after around 5 minutes, if you are drying just a few items, or 15 minutes for a full load.

Dry Cleaning is Gentler On Denim

Instead of using soap and water, dry cleaning is done using solvents. Solvents are much gentler than traditional cleaning methods, which means you can get rid of dirt, sweat, and grime without causing fading or deterioration.

Do dry cleaned clothes smell? ›

Occasionally, dry cleaning can even make your pieces smell worse because of a solvent used called perchloroethylene (perc), which smells similar to kerosene. Dry cleaning solvents typically dissolve swiftly on thin materials.

The good news is that most of the time, dry cleaning is enough to nix bad smells from your dry clean only garments. Sometimes however, dry cleaning doesn't combat the smells or can result in exchanging one smell for another.

Really old, stubborn stains sometimes respond best to liquid glycerin. Rub it in, let it soak and then launder again.

To start, vinegar works as a very effective household cleaner because it is an acid. Acids remove stains and clean by adding a chemical charge to the stain's molecules. Much like a magnet being pulled by another magnet, these newly charged molecules become attracted to the positive and negative charges in water.

After decades, stains may have been set through repeated washing and drying. Before laundering, try soaking the fabric in an enzyme textile cleaner diluted with water, or add a non-chlorine bleach to the wash water.

If the clothes you're attempting to dry clean at home have a bad stain or odor, you're going to want to break out the vinegar. “Bacteria trapped in the fibers of the clothing causes discoloration and/or odor. Soaking an item in half a cup of vinegar and cold water for 30 minutes preps it,” says Conroy.

New clients often ask us why their dry cleaned garments still smell of perspiration after they're returned by the dry cleaner? Our answer is quite simple: Your dry cleaned garments still smell of perspiration because they haven't been professionally cleaned.

The dry cleaning process can kill up to 99.9% of germs on clothing. We also sanitize the machines regularly to ensure an even safer cleaning process! It's a win-win for you and your clothes.

What is the fastest way to deep clean a dirty house? ›

Dry cleaning garments, especially delicates like silk and wool, can lead to dehydration and degradation of fabric over time. Steaming is a great alternative that still provides a deep clean and a professional finish.

Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren't necessary or important. Clutter distracts us by drawing our attention away from what our focus should be on. Clutter makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally.

The short answer here is that you have a dirty house if it is unsanitary, meaning there is mould in the home, unwanted pests are being attracted, or there are lingering unpleasant odours. This is different from a house that is simply messy, meaning that there is a lot of clutter or disorganization.

Don't worry about the odor; it's never long lasting since vinegar evaporates once it dries. If you're really sensitive to the scent, you can also mix-in a few drops of essentials oil for a fresh boost of fragrance.

Excess Moisture

More often than not, your clothes smell musty because of an excess amount of moisture in your closet. High moisture is sometimes due to where you live and the season, but it can also be a sign that you have a problem with your insulation or a crack in the foundation of your home.

Garment Tagging

Similar soiled garments from different customers are cleaned together and tagging ensures that your clothes are returned to you.

It helps your polished pieces last longer

Sensitive fabrics may also fade in color or stretch in shape in a washing machine or dryer. By using a professional cleaning service, your pieces will last much longer so you won't have to replace them as often, ultimately saving you money.

Is dry cleaner a hazardous waste? ›

Dry cleaners routinely generate several waste materials that may be considered hazardous waste. These waste materials include perchloroethylene, ignitable (less than 140 degrees F) dry cleaning solvents, still residues from distillation, filters containing perchloroethylene, mop water, and separator water.

While dry clean only items should not be washed or dried at home, dry clean items can be washed but not dried in the dryer. Always air dry items tagged dry clean to avoid shrinkage and irreversible damage t the fabric.

Certain fabrics like cotton, nylon, polyester, spandex, acrylic, and acetate don't need dry cleaning. Durable materials can withstand the exposure to water, detergents, and a dryer machine. If you're unsure as to whether a sweater, t-shirt, or slacks should get the rinse cycle check the tags.

Take in your dry cleaning early

The best time to have a garment cleaned is as soon after it is soiled as possible. The longer dirt and stains stay on clothing, the harder they will be to remove.

Dry cleaning makes your clothes last longer because the garments are agitated and wrung out. Plus, dry cleaning preserves the color of the garment so that it doesn't wear out as quickly compared to items that are machine washed.

Dry Cleaning is Gentler On Denim

There are numerous benefits of entrusting your jeans to a dry cleaner, but the biggest advantage is the gentle dry cleaning process. Instead of using soap and water, dry cleaning is done using solvents.

Some traditional dry cleaning companies also use a toxic chemical called N-propyl bromide. This toxin is responsible for acute and chronic health issues, according to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI). Acute or short-term effects include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and headaches.

CAN DRY CLEANING REMOVE ALL STAINS? Dry cleaning is proven to remove stains more effectively than washing machines. Unfortunately, some stains are permanent, and not even the best cleaning methods can remove them. If you notice a stain on your clothes, do not try to remove it yourself.

During dry cleaning, the pump pulls solvent from the tank and sends it through the filters to remove any impurities. The filtered solvent then enters the cylinder, where it interacts with the fabrics and removes any soil. The solvent then travels back into the holding tank so it can begin the process again.

If the label says “dry clean only,” don't put it into your washing machine. Washing dry clean only clothing can ruin the garment, so it's best to take it to a professional cleaner.

What happens if you wash dry clean only wool? ›

Similarly, if you're going to wash a wool or cashmere jumper labelled dry-clean only, keep in mind that agitation in the washing machine can cause a felting reaction in the fibres. So you should only wash these garments by hand using a wool-specific pH neutral detergent.

Can I use Spray 'n Wash® Laundry products on Dry Clean Only garments? Our Laundry products are not recommended for garments with "Dry Clean Only" labels. Damage can occur. Always follow care label instructions.