Wet Clean Wool, Silk and Rayon

If you want to avoid dry cleaning because of the chemicals used, rest assured that you can wash many clothes by hand that say “dry clean only,” but you need to learn some tricks.

Almost all dry cleaning establishments in the country clean with perchloroethylene (perc), a probable carcinogen, neurotoxic chlorinated solvent that bioaccumulates in fat and is suspected endocrine disrupter, meaning it is a chemical that may confuse the body into thinking it is estrogen!

Until the dry cleaning industry changes, we can take charge of getting our “dry clean only” fabrics cleaned safely by learning the wet clean process.

Through hard-earned experience—I shrunk a lot of rayon outfits three sizes before I finally figured out what I was doing wrong—I’ve finally learned how to wet clean wool, rayon and silk.

The most critical bit of information you need to know is that it is the agitation of wool, silk and rayon that causes the shrinkage of the fabric, not just hot water. Even the agitation of the gentle cycle in a washing machine is too much agitation for these fabrics. Make sure to spot-test the fabric for colorfastness first.

Wet Cleaning Wool and Silk

Hand wash in a sink by gently swirling the clothes in cool water; never twist or wring out wool or silk.
Use a mild detergent with a pH below 7 for wool, such as Infinity Heavenly Horsetail, available in health food stores. A mild liquid castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s baby soap is best for cleaning silk, since it won’t strip the natural oils. Any harsh lye-based soap with a pH above 10 will destroy silk.
If necessary, spot clean with vinegar or lemon juice, but test for dye color fastness first.
Gently press water from the fabric. Block wool—lay it flat on a towel and stretch it to the correct size and shape—before drying; it will dry to the blocked size. Wool is resilient and recovers quickly from wrinkling if hung. Hang dry silk.

Rayon

Rayon absolutely must not be agitated at all; it is a weak fiber and shrinks easily.
Follow washing directions for cleaning wool and silk, with one big difference: rayon is an alkaline fabric, and acidic detergents can harm
the fabric. Don’t spot clean rayon with acidic vinegar. Most all-purpose detergents will be fine to use, or a liquid castile soap.
Even a harsh detergent won’t harm rayon.
Gently press out water, and hang dry.

Note that I haven’t tested this method on expensive wool coats and jackets. I spot clean such clothes with vinegar.

Read more: Home, Fashion, Non-Toxic Cleaning

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Linda E.

7:42PM PDT on Jul 15, 2011

Thank you for the info that will save me money and chemical exposure.

send a green star

Lindsey W.

9:27AM PDT on May 26, 2011

thank you!

John S.

6:09AM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

I have lots of suits that can't be washed because of the linings, but always wash everything else, just use cold water, shampoo for soap, don't agitate, and never put in the drier. And there's always Fabreze (if you want to make your own, Use really cheap, unflavored vodka, 0 - 50% water and add some lavender. Shake it up a bit in a spray bottle, set the nozzle to mist, give your target an all-over spritzing, and let it air out. The alcohol will actually kill the bacteria rather than just covering up the smell, and will evaporate off so that you won't be left smelling like a bar).

Rebecca B.

10:54PM PDT on Apr 27, 2011

Dear Elizabeth P: I'm almost certain then that the only fabrics you can wear are wool and organic cotton. I can't imagine that wearing synthetic fabrics which are made out of chemicals and petroleum is really good for the environment. Also, you do realize wool is just shaved off of sheep in the summer when they are hot, right? Your "slaughtered animals" referred to the silk worms, I suppose?

Brenda T.

6:33AM PST on Feb 28, 2011

I always handwash woollens and silk! I roll silk items in a towel to assist drying and then iron them wet!

6:48AM PST on Feb 25, 2011

I do not wear clothes made from sources that involve animal slaughter and/or harm to the environment ...

Matthew P.

9:57AM PST on Feb 7, 2011

I always hand wash my wool. I'm a guy (domestic variety) who only wears wool when it comes to pullovers and cardies...I just hate unnatural fibres. I hand wash my woollens at less than lukewarm..e.g. almost cold temps, with some melted pure soap flakes. Then I gently squeeze out the excess water, lay flat in a towel and roll the towel to gently get rid of more water, then lay flat to dry. It's so quick, easy and inexpensive that there is simply no excuse to pay someone to poison the planet with chemicals.

Lenora S.

1:17PM PST on Jan 7, 2011

I hate the smell of dry cleaning and i cant remember the last time i used one,most things can be washed with care and if in doubt steam them in the bathroom and pat dry with a clean towel.

Past Member .

7:21AM PDT on Aug 23, 2010

www.clotheshops..us
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Dan S.

4:30AM PDT on Aug 23, 2010

I found another solution because I hate the smell from the Dry Cleaner and I know that Perc is really bad stuff. Instead I found at my market a product for dry-cleaning in your dryer. Its called DryCleaner's Secret. All I do is place a dryer sheet in with a few of my skirts & sweaters for 20 minutes and they come out great and ready to wear. I use it all the time now. My mom uses it on my dad's uniforms too. I did some research and it does not use Perc, is non-toxic and saves me the gas for driving to & from my cleaners all the time.Water Damage Restoration