23rd Dec 2022 love2laundry Dry Cleaning

Do Dry Cleaned Clothes Last Longer?

People often wonder whether dry cleaning or doing laundry is the better option out of the two, to keep your clothes fresh and clean for the longest.

At Love2Laundry, we are of the mindset that doing laundry and dry cleaning are both effective cleaning methods, so the two of them make a powerful combination!

In this blog article, we will delve into the question ‘do dry cleaned clothes last longer?’, which we hope you find useful.

What is dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a process of cleaning clothes, without using any water. Instead of immersing clothes in soapy water, a chemical solvent is used to get rid of dirt, grime and deep-set stains. Once they are clean, the garments will usually be pressed, before they are returned to the customer.

Do dry cleaned clothes last longer?

Yes, dry cleaning can actually make your clothes last longer!

The solvent used in dry cleaning is lighter than water, so the fabric is treated in a more delicate way. Whereas, water can cause some fabrics (such as wool) to shrink, lose its colours, or become frayed.

Additionally, when a garment is machine washed, it will twist and spin around in the washing machine, which can disrupt and damage the fibres in the fabric. This can result in the garment stretching or having bobbles on them, so the garment does not last as long. In contrast, the garment would not twist and spin when you have it dry cleaned, as this is a much more gentle cleaning method.

Even when we hand wash garments, we often wring and scrub them, to make sure the washing powder is penetrating enough to remove dirt and stains. However, with dry cleaning, harsh movements such as wringing and scrubbing do not occur.

What’s more, in your household washing machine, the grime from your dirty clothes and the residue left behind from laundry detergent can cause mould and mildew to build up in the washing machine. This means that your clothes will not be thoroughly cleaned after a machine wash, which often results in harsher scrubbing to get rid of those germs. Again, repeated washing can cause wear and tear to the fibres in garments.

So, do dry-cleaned clothes last longer?

Well, yes, dry cleaning helps to preserve your clothes, as it is a softer cleaning method, which is far less harsh on the fibres of the fabric.

The machine wash damage that you often see in your clothes will not happen when you get your clothes professionally dry cleaned, which is why it is such an excellent cleaning solution.

Does dry cleaning remove odour?

Yes, dry cleaning can remove unpleasant odours that attach to fabrics if you bring your garments in as soon as possible. The powerful chemicals used in the dry cleaning solvent can be very effective at tackling unwanted odours like sweat smells and cigarette smoke.

But if the odour is excessively strong and has been sitting for weeks and weeks, with no action taken to clean the garment, then this will be more difficult to remove.

Still, dry cleaning offers you a really good chance of removing pungent smells and making your garment fresh and clean.

How do you keep ‘dry clean only’ clothes fresh?

Many of us have garments in our wardrobes and household furnishings which say ‘dry clean only’ on their care label.

But how do you keep these items clean, when you don’t have the time to visit a dry cleaner?

Follow our handy tips below:

Avoid using at-home ‘dry cleaning kits’. There are some companies who entice customers into buying these products under the false pretext that they will deliver the same results as a professional dry cleaner. You should be wary of these DIY dry cleaning kits, as they may contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that are harmful to your skin and health.
If you have a greasy stain on your ‘dry clean only’ garment, then sprinkle a small amount of bicarbonate of soda or cornstarch on the stain. Use a clean cloth or clean brush to work the powder into the stain. Wait a few minutes- this should hopefully absorb the stain.
Change out of your ‘dry clean only’ clothes as soon as you get home, which will keep your garments fresher and cleaner for longer, in between trips to the dry cleaners.
Use a handheld steamer to add a professional look to your ‘dry clean only’ garments. This will remove stubborn wrinkles and creases from your clothing. It is much gentler than using a clothes iron, as the steamer will not make contact with the clothing or scorch the fabric.
Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of essential oil, and spray this on your ‘dry clean only’ clothing to kill germs and keep your garment fresh and fragrant!
Use a lint remover and a clothing brush to remove dust, dirt and debris from your clothing- this is a simple but effective hack to extend the life of your garments.
Do not use wire hangers to hang up your ‘dry clean only’ items, as these can leave awkward marks on your clothing, bend your garment out of shape, or even cause rust to get on your clothes, which is difficult to remove.

Can you dry clean children’s clothing?

Yes, you can dry clean baby clothes and children’s clothing, just as you would with any other garments.

Dry cleaning is particularly effective for children’s school uniforms, which may become wrinkled, misshaped, or discoloured if they are washed in a washing machine.

Can you get soft furnishings dry cleaned?

Generally, you can dry clean household items such as bedding items, curtains and cushion covers.

Where can I find laundry and dry cleaning services?

We at Love2Laundry offer laundry and dry cleaning services, which you can access with just a click of a finger, from your smartphone.

We operate an on-demand laundry service, serving London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bolton and Bury.

We provide a door-to-door service, so we will collect your items, wash, dry and fold or hang them up, and then deliver them straight to your door!

We also offer ironing services across London, as well as dry cleaning, shoe repairs, upholstery cleaning and alterations.

All you have to do is make an order online on our website, or through our mobile app (available for iOS and Android).

You can choose a location and time slot that works for you, and our friendly couriers will collect your laundry items. We will then professionally clean your items and return them to you- all within 24 hours!

Our prices are affordable- for example, the ‘wash, dry, and fold’ package starts from £2.65 per kg. See the prices on our website here.

At Love2Laundry, we are not your typical launderette. We operate a cashless system, so you will pay for your order via our mobile app or online via our website.

We accept various forms of payment including American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

No more worrying about finding the correct change, or physically dropping off your laundry items- simply input your order with just a click of your fingers, and the rest is up to us!

So, is there any laundry app for dry cleaning?

Yes, download our free mobile app today and leave the work to us. Our app is available on iOS and Android.

Love2Laundry’s Hotel Quality Linen Cleaning Service in London

Here at Love2Laundry, we also offer an on-demand linen cleaning service for hotels and Airbnb hosts. All you have to do is make an order, and we will pick up your dirty linens on the same day and professionally clean them for you.

We also offer all the essentials that you need to keep your guests comfortable and happy, including a complete range of bed linens, towels, hotel toiletries, bath mats, kitchen cloths and more.

Click here to learn more about our Hotel Quality Linen Cleaning Service in London and request a quote.

About Love2Laundry

We hope we have answered the question ‘do dry cleaned clothes last longer?’

For more content like this, check out our blog here to read more articles.

Find out more about Love2Laundry’s dry cleaning and laundry services by visiting our website here.

Download our Love2Laundry app on the Apple App Store here or on Google Play here.