Tired of spending money at the dry cleaners but scared that you’ll ruin your clothes if you wash them yourself? Trips to and from the dry cleaners can be time-consuming, and you may find yourself spending more than you’d like trying to keep your clothes crisp and clean.
Luckily, there are many ways to save yourself the time and money you usually spend at the dry cleaners – even for clothes that are “dry clean only.” In this blog, we’ll share 10 tips and tricks to save money on dry cleaning so that you can prolong the life of your wardrobe and keep your clothes looking fresh.
- Invest in a Home Dry Cleaning Kit
- Wear a Sweat Proof Undershirt
- Know Your Fabrics
- Differentiate Between “Dry Clean” and “Dry Clean Only”
- Remove Stains ASAP
- Opt for Steamers
- Look for Machine Washable Clothes
- Wear Clothes More Than Once
- Store Clothes Properly
- Keep an Eye Out for Deals
1. Invest In a Home Dry Cleaning Kit
Home dry cleaning kits are a simple, cost-effective way to freshen up your clothes in 30 minutes or less. They typically include a stain spot treatment, a dryer bag and a moist towel that is pre-treated with dry cleaning solution.
All you have to do is spot-treat any stains, put your clothes into the dryer bag with the moist towel, and toss them into your tumble dryer. The heat of the dryer will activate the dry cleaning solution, and you’ll have fresh, clean clothes in no time.
We recommend the Dryel At-Home Dry Cleaner Starter Kit.
2. Wear a Sweat Proof Undershirt
The best way to ensure longevity for your wardrobe and avoid the dry cleaner is by protecting your clothes as you wear them.
Thompson Tee’s sweat proof undershirt wicks away moisture and odor, keeping you and your clothes fresh all day long. Our patented sweat proof technology stops pesky underarm sweat from staining your clothes, allowing you to avoid the dry cleaners. Available in styles for both men and women, Thompson Tee undershirts pair seamlessly with any shirt.
3. Know Your Fabrics
Different fabrics require different treatments. Materials like wool, cashmere and silk require special care, but that doesn’t mean you need to take them to the dry cleaners. Here are some best practices we recommend when washing delicate fabrics:
- Wash with cold water.
- Wash on a delicates cycle.
- Use mild detergent. (We recommend Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent)
- Air dry your clothes.
For further guidance, check out our blog on how to care for silk clothing.
4. Differentiate Between “Dry Clean” and “Dry Clean Only”
Did you know that “dry clean” and “dry clean only” aren’t the same thing?
“Dry clean” is a suggestion, meaning that the clothing doesn’t require dry cleaning and that you can wash it at home with a little extra care.
“Dry clean only” means that you should take the clothes to the dry cleaner. Clothes that are “dry clean only” typically have special types of fabric that must be professionally cleaned to be maintained. However, with proper care, you can cut trips to the dry cleaners in half.
Read our blog on how to wash dress shirts for some tips and tricks on how to extend the amount of time between taking your “dry clean only” shirts to the dry cleaners.
5. Remove Stains ASAP
There’s nothing quite like the frustration of staining your clothes. To avoid long-lasting stains, get rid of them by treating them as soon as they happen. Addressing stains ASAP makes it easier to remove 100% of the stain and keep your clothes looking clean so you can avoid the dry cleaners.
Although it’s impractical to carry around stain removal tools with you wherever you go, it’s a good idea to keep a stain remover stick with you. We recommend the Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover.
6. Opt for Steamers
When removing wrinkles from your clothes, putting an iron to delicate clothing may damage it. It’s best to opt for a steamer or wrinkle remover spray instead of an iron. This will help maintain fabric quality over time, and it’s far less abrasive than a hot iron. Most importantly, it will give your clothes a sleek, wrinkle-free appearance without needing to visit the dry cleaners!
If you’re looking for something other than a steamer or an iron to remove wrinkles, we recommend the Downy Wrinkle Releaser.
7. Look For Machine Washable Clothes
When you’re looking to buy new clothes, check the care labels to see if they require dry cleaning. Although some clothes must be taken to the dry cleaners every so often – like formal and business attire – there are many fashionable, low cost options that will save you the trip to the dry cleaners.
8. Wear Clothes More Than Once
The more you wash clothes or take them to the dry cleaners, the quicker they will become damaged. It’s a good idea to wear clothes at least 2 to 3 times between washes so long as they aren’t stained, soiled or foul-smelling. Not only will this keep your clothes fresher for longer, but it will also save you countless washes and trips to the dry cleaners over time.
9. Store Clothes Properly
You shouldn’t have to bring clothes to the dry cleaners just because there are a few wrinkles! Storing clothes properly is the best way to keep your clothes fresh in between uses and avoid making the trip to the dry cleaners for wrinkle removal.
Use sturdy, high quality hangers to hang your clothes and store them in a cool, dry place with no direct sunlight. This will keep fabrics fresh and allow your clothing items to hold their shape for long periods of time.
10. Keep an Eye Out for Deals
Omitting visits to the dry cleaners entirely may be out of the question. There are many different dry cleaners to choose from, and prices vary greatly between them. It’s a worthwhile venture to explore pricing options at multiple dry cleaning locations to find an option that best suits your budget. If you’ve been visiting the same dry cleaners for some time, don’t hesitate to ask if they offer discounts for returning customers.
Keep in mind that prices also vary depending on the time of year. In general, prices increase from April to June, so many dry cleaning locations offer discounts in winter months.
Ditch the Dry Cleaners With Thompson Tee
If you want to save money on dry cleaning, it’s important to properly care for your clothes.
Thompson Tee’s sweat proof undershirts offer protection from sweat stains and odor, which will protect your clothes and lengthen the amount of time between washes and visits to the dry cleaners.
Try a Thompson Tee risk-free today!
