Is it safe to hand wash a dry clean article of clothing?

Question

I bought a really cute banana republic cardigan at the thrift store for work, but the tag says to dry clean it.

It doesn't look dirty, but when ever I get things from the thrift store, I like to wash them because it makes me feel better.

I was wondering if it would be okay to just hand wash it and lay it flat to dry.

70% silk

26% nylon

4% lycra spandex

Answer 1

A product on the market 'DRY CLEANER'S SECRET' A box of sheets, place 1 sheet in dryer with garments, tumble on medium setting for 30 minutes, remove and hang promptly, little or no ironing required. Costs about $3.00 a box of 6 sheets.

Answer 2

most items that say dry clean will get ruined if you wash them even if they are hand washed.

Answer 3

Wife handwashes many sweaters in woolite and cold water, then hangs over the clothesline to dry, draped over a towel, sometimes.

Answer 4

You can do that but is will wrinkle terribly.  Do NOT wring it out by hand.  Let is soak and then rinse under running cool water.  Then, pop it into the washer and put on just the spin cycle and let it extract the water from the article.  Then, reshape and lie flat to dry.  

Use a very cool iron if it wrinkles.

Answer 5

I hardly ever dry clean things that say dry clean only but that I would since it is silk and that has about a 50/50 chance of being okay to be hand washed.  If it had been cotton you could absolutely hand wash it.

Answer 6

Usually the main reason for labelling a garment dry clean only is because it will shrink alot when washed.  Once that happens it's usually ruined.  It's best not to take chances.

Answer 7

If it says dry clean, then do that. Sweaters are tricky because you have to shape them and lay them flat to dry. You can't put it on a hanger wet, because it will lose it's shape. Sometimes they get a mildew smell when you lay them out to dry. I ruined a few sweaters by trying the hand wash thing.

Answer 8

IF something says DRY CLEAN ONLY its really the manufacturers way of saying "hey, dont come back to us and complain if it ruins because of your way of washing it" when actually it can be washed but in the most delicate way

wash in luke warm water with a delicate liquid detergent, swish it through a bucket of water for a few minutes, soak then swish again for about 5 minutes drain the water out then fill with cold, swish again and rinse and swish again then wrap it in a towel and spin it in your machine. then lay it flat to dry after reshaping it. there you have it a really safely washed jumper.

Answer 9

I wouldn't risk hand washing it.  I use a product called Dryel - the kit comes with a zip bag and sheets that are kind of like Bounce dryer sheets.  You put the clothes and a sheet in the bag and throw it in the dryer.  The clothes come out great and smelling really nice.