New dry-clean dress shirts... wash first to loosen then take to cleaners?

Question

i think putting them in the wash on cold would be okay to loosen the fabric a bit...and then take to cleaners to do their part. is that a good way to do it?

Answer 1

If you're going to risk wetting/hand washing a dry-clean only garment, then you may as well just get some Woolite and save yourself the money of the dry cleaner's.

The only benefit (if you can successfully wet-wash the clothing) is that the dry cleaner will also press the item...something you will have to do for yourself -- or pay THEM to do for you (in which case you may as well just take it there and cut out the extra work!).

Answer 2

Dry-Clean only means DRY CLEAN ONLY. Usually there is some trim part or part of a lining that is going to shrink or is not color fast. If the label says dry clean only, take it to the cleaners. If the label says it may be hand washed then wetting is ok. Use cold water and Woolite. Be gentle and rinse well. I doubt that anything is going to speed "loosening" of the fabric but you can talk to your cleaner. It is possible to dry clean a shirt several times in a row to give it a softer feel. Your cleaner may or may not charge extra for this.