The DIY craze has been booming for years now. It’s allowed many people to discover more affordable ways to do things. However, with the rise of DIY, people are also finding out that some tasks are just better off left to professionals.
One of those is dry cleaning. Now, it’s not impossible to do on your own, of course not. There are plenty of DIY dry cleaning kits in stores right now. However, if you’re not confident with your skills and knowledge in dry cleaning, it might be best to go to the dry cleaners instead. There are risks to DIY dry cleaning, and if you don’t know the risks, you might just make mistakes.
After you learn about what can go wrong, you can make better decisions about whether you should switch or leave it to the pros.
Here’s what you need to know about DIY dry cleaning:
Fabric Might Shrink
Fabric shrinking is caused by excessive heat or moisture in the solvent, heat from the water, or the dryer’s air. Of course, this is a common mistake, especially when it comes to DIY dry cleaning. People have shared their experiences where their clothes shrunk after using a DIY dry cleaning kit. They’re not fool-proof.
Opting to go to professional dry cleaners will ensure that your clothes stay perfect. You don’t have to worry about how your clothes will fit or how to make them go back to their original size because it’s not going to shrink at the cleaners. They take special care to keep your clothes in the best condition.
Stink Might Stick
Of course, it’s only natural that odours stick to our clothes. However, what isn’t natural is for it to stay there even after getting dry cleaned. The problem with DIY dry cleaning kits is that they are not the most effective way to clean your clothes. It works to a certain extent. However, if you want a nice thorough wash, go to the dry cleaners.
Sometimes it’s the odour that won’t come out. Other times, it’s the fabric that won’t release the odour. Either way, after washing your clothes, you want them fresh and smelling good again. The process and the products used at the dry cleaners are made for deep cleaning. You can be sure that there aren’t any lingering smells when you pick up your clothes.
Stains Might Set
Stains are the worst. Don’t even mention stains on dry clean only clothes. Those can be a nightmare to get out. With DIY dry cleaning kits, you can get stains out. But not all of them. Just like how getting rid of odours and ensuring the condition of your clothes isn’t compromised, the kits can only promise so much. They’re not meant for heavy-duty dry cleaning.
Depending on the stain—water-based, cream, paint, and so on— the colour might not go away with a DIY solution. At best, it can lighten up the stain. At worst, it could make it set it or spread it even more.
Conclusion
Dry cleaning can be challenging to do alone at home. There are plenty of ways for things to go wrong, and at the end of the day, it’s not worth the trouble. The money you save by doing your dry cleaning at home won’t amount to much if your clothes get damaged or ruined in the process. The safest way, at least until or if you figure out a fool-proof way to DIY it, is to go to a reliable dry cleaner and let them do their magic.
Goodfellow Cleaners has been serving Ottawa with the best dry cleaning service for over 30 years! We pride ourselves on our excellent service and years of experience. Our staff ensures that our client’s needs are met. You can trust us with your everyday clothes as well as your most prized outfits. We promise to take good care of them. Get same-day dry cleaning service from us today!