Stains happen, and getting your clothes dry cleaned often is not always practical. Who has time to run to the dry cleaner? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, even if you can’t. Stain removal is about acting quickly and choosing the right method. Many clothes marked dry clean only can be spot cleaned at home or on the fly. It’s often a matter of being prepared. Here’s what you can do when the splat hits the fabric.
The Easy Way – Your Dry Cleaner Picks it Up
You may not have time to run to the cleaners, but what if the dry cleaners comes to you? We’ll pick up your dry cleaning, drop it off at the cleaners, and deliver it back to you at your convenience. To your home, office, or even to a hotel if a wardrobe malfunction happens while you’re on the road. For free. Yes, you read that right.There’s no charge for pickup and delivery.
You only pay for cleaning.
How To Schedule A Dry Cleaner Pickup
- Download the Press App
- Schedule a pick up
- Find something to do that’s more interesting than laundry.
- Delivered back in 24-48 hours
Steps to Remove Stains From Dry Clean Only Clothing Yourself
Let’s say your budget is so tight that a few bucks for dry cleaning is out of your reach, or you get your blazer back from the cleaner on Monday and manage to paint your sleeve with taco sauce on Tuesday. Here’s a step-by-step guide to remove stains from dry clean only clothes.
- Check the label.
- Identify the stain.
- Gather supplies.
- Scrape off excess glop.
- Removing liquid stains
- Removing oily stains
- Helpful cleaning tips
1. Check the Clothing Label
The care label sewn into your garment has a lot of information. It tells you what type of fabric the garment is made from, what products to avoid, whether ironing is wise, and it may say either “Dry Clean” or “Dry Clean Only.” Both dry clean and dry clean only fabrics can be carefully spot-cleaned at home. Most labels will specify no chlorine bleach, and some will have more detailed instructions.
Fabrics you should take straight to the dry cleaner: rayon, suede, leather, and cashmere.
2. Identify the Stain
They type of stain will dictate what products and methods you’ll use to remove the stain. Here’s a list of common stains and products that will remove them without damaging your clothing:
Oil-based stains including butter, mayonnaise, salad dressing, makeup, lotion and body oils:
- Baking soda
- Citrus-based degreasing detergent such as Palmolive dishwashing liquid (clear)
Food stains including ketchup, red wine, coffee, juice, soda, tea, and also mud:
- White vinegar
- Dish detergent (Palmolive, Dawn)
Protein stains including grass, meat, eggs, vomit, blood, urine:
- Ammonia
- Peroxide
- High quality detergent without dyes
- Alcohol or products with alcohol, like hand sanitizer or hairspray
Sweat:
- Enzyme cleaner, such as OxiClean
3. Gather Cleaning Supplies
Stains may be different but you’ll require a few common items for any of them:
- Absorbent white cloth or towel to blot the stain and absorb water
- Paper towels, cotton balls, or cotton swabs
- You may need a scraper (credit cards work well) or a brush
- Coldwater
4. Scrape Off Excess Goop
- Start by using a hard edge like a credit card or a butter knife to scrape off any excess (think mud, jelly, or a glob of lotion).
- Next, moisten a clean cloth with cold water and blot the stained area.
- If the stain rubs off onto the cloth, switch areas to avoid spreading the stain.
- If water alone does not remove the stain, apply the cleaning solution appropriate for the type of stain to a clean cloth and dab the stained area.
- When the stain is gone, moisten a clean cloth and blot to remove the cleaning solution.
- Repeat these steps until the stain is removed. It may take patience.
- When you’ve successfully removed the stain, allow the garment to air dry. If any stain remains, use your app to have the garment picked up and professionally cleaned.
5. Method to Remove Liquid Stains From Clothing
- Place the stained area of your garment on a white towel, or hold over a sink.
- Pour cold water or soda water (quinine) on the stain. Water alone will remove some liquid stains if you address it quickly.
- If water alone doesn’t remove the stain, make a cleaning solution with equal parts of white vinegar and dish detergent.
- Dip a clean cloth or cotton swab into the formula, and dab the stain.
- Remember to rotate the towel underneath as you work and replace with a dry towel when it is saturated.
- Allow the solution to soak in for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Hang or lay flat to dry.
6. Method to Remove Oily Stains
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain and use a white cloth or small brush (like a nail or toothbrush) to work the powder into the stain. Wait a few minutes for the powder to absorb the oil, then flip the garment over and tap to shake off the excess powder.
- If the stain is still visible, wet the spot with cold water and dab on a small amount of citrus-based degreasing detergent, like Palmolive or Dawn on the stained area. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then dab with cold water to remove the detergent (and the stain).
7. Helpful Cleaning Tips For Dry Clean Only Clothes
- Keep commercial stain removal products on hand such as:
- There are also home dry cleaning kits.
- Alcohol will remove many types of stains. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer, a white cloth, and a handful of cotton swabs for immediate spot treatment.
- When a stain happens, act quickly. The sooner you can address a stain, the more likely you’ll be able to fight it.
- Not all stains can be removed at home. For tough stains or special pieces, you may need a professional cleaning service.
- Test solutions on an inconspicuous area of your garment to determine whether colors will fade or run.
Dealing with stained dry clean only clothing can be risky. Some woven fabrics, like wool or silk, will stretch and relax when wet, leaving a misshapen bump where the fabric should be smooth. Treating small spots is less risky than trying to clean a large stained area. Dry cleaning is not always practical, but it is usually the best solution, especially if you want the garment to look new and sharp. Why take a chance? Dry cleaning doesn’t get easier than free pickup and delivery.
