When it comes to keeping your clothes spick-and-span, it’s important to know that you can’t just chuck them in the washer and expect the same results every time. After all, clothes are made from different materials, so the right way to give them proper TLC is to consider the best method of cleaning depending on their unique needs. 

So for removing all the stains, dirt, and other debris on your clothes, it all boils down to one question: should you go for professional dry cleaning or washing?

Dry Cleaning vs Washing: What’s the Difference?

Dry cleaning is a special process of cleaning clothes using substances that do not produce moisture but instead dissolve stain-causing substances from the garment. These substances are then evaporated by a chemical reaction inside the cleaning machine, leaving your clothes good as new.

On the other hand, washing involves the use of water or detergents to wash clothes manually or with the help of a washing machine. Now, knowing the difference between the two should help you decide which one to go for depending on the garment.

When Is the Best Time to Bring Your Clothes to Professional Dry Cleaners?

Now that you know the differences, you can now make a more informed decision about when to bring your clothes to the dry cleaners. There are instances when you should only wash your clothes, and others when you should only dry-clean them. 

Here are a few instances of when you should visit the dry cleaners:

  1. For clothes made from delicate fabrics, dry cleaning is the best option. For example, if your clothes are made from silk, wool, fine cashmere, leather, suede, or lace, then you are better off getting them dry cleaned. This way, you can be sure that the cleaning agent used for your clothes won’t damage the fabric, leaving it still intact after being cleaned.

  2. If your clothes have delicate tucks or pleats that need to maintain its shape, dry cleaning is the best approach as putting them in a washing machine may ruin the clothing’s structure. Similarly, your clothes also need dry cleaning if it is made up of stiff fabric laced with stabilizers and finishes, such as the ones designed for suits or coats.

  3. If your clothes contain stains that can transfer into other garments during the washing process.

  4. If your clothes are expensive, have sentimental value, or are susceptible to damage, then you can preserve them better by opting for dry cleaning. 

How Does Dry Cleaning Work?

The dry cleaning process is quite simple. As mentioned earlier, the clothes are cleaned using a dry cleaning solvent, which removes any stains and dirt from the fabric. Special cleaning machines are used for the process that, instead of cleaning with water, use solvent, gas, or chemicals to dissolve oily matter and evaporate it.

There is a simple process to keep in mind when understanding how dry cleaning works, and it involves the following steps:

  1. Tagging the clothes, which is designed to identify the type of fabric they’re made of before moving to the next step.

  2. Moving forward, dry cleaners will inspect the clothes for any rips, missing buttons, tears, and other damages. This is to check if the clothes can undergo the dry cleaning process, or if it will be returned to the owner.

  3. Next, it involves pre-treating stains, which also involves knowing the type of stain to determine the best cleaning solution for its removal.

  4. Finally, the dry cleaning process can begin using water-free chemical solvents. 

The Bottom Line: Why Professional Dry Cleaning can Change the Way You Clean Your Clothes Forever

Whether it’s silk, wool, cashmere, leather, or any other fabric, knowing that you can trust the process of dry cleaning can give you the peace of mind that your clothes will look as good as new. At the end of the day, dry cleaning is a safe and much more effective way to take care of your clothes and to keep it in good condition.

Are You Looking for a Same Day Dry Cleaning Near Your Area?

The best dry cleaners in Little Rock, Arkansas is just a message call away. For all your dry cleaning needs, Moose Cleaners can help!