Dry clean or hand wash? (Picture of ''dress' - outfit - 170, repeated.)

 


A red satin effect skirt, brand label Platinum. The washing label says the fabric is polyester with an acetate lining. They recommend dry cleaning. 

Why do they recomment dry cleaning, especially if they say the garment could be hand washed at 30 degrees? Or cold water?

One reason is that the garment is lined and the lining fabric is different. When the garment has two fabrics they might shrink different amounts. The result is puckering along the seams, or hanging oddly, with folds, or lop-sided.

I have more than two reasons for not wanting to dry clean clohtes.

1 Dry cleaning is expensive.

2 I have to take time off from writing to deliver and collect my clothes.

3 I might forget, or lose the ticket.

4 The shop could lose my garment, spoil it, or go out of business.

5 Dry cleaning could shorten the life of the garment or change its colour.

If you cannot be bothered to take clothes to be dry cleaned, if you travel a lot, you could have your garment washed or dry cleaned in a hotel and have it returned the next day or even the same day. It arrives in pristine condition and neatly ironed or folded ready to re-pack.

If you are travelling to a conference the dry cleaning might be included in the allowance for expenses. If not, you might indulge yourself, on the grounds that your accommodation and food are paid for by somebody else, or offset against tax and you deserve a treat, or you owe it to the organizers and audience to look your best, well-groomed. (You might think similarly if you are travelling to a family or social event such as a wedding.) 

I am going to hand wash, very carefully. I shall postpone dry cleaning as long as I can. I shall also postpone washing. 

How can you postpone dry cleaning and washing? By minimising smells and stains.

1 To prevent the outside of the hem getting dirty:

a) Shorten the skirt so it does not drag on the ground.

b) Wear wedge shoes or high heels to lift the hem.

c) Hoist the skirt when mounting steps into a vehicle, climbing stairs, or walking over grass and mud. Keep your hands free by carrying a shoulder bag rather than a handbag, and having your umbrella on a strap.

2 To Keep The Garment Smelling Fresh

a) Keep the inside away from your skin by wearing an underskirt or full lenth slip.

b) Hang up by an open window or patio door, not against other garments, so it can blow in the breeze.

3 Check for stains every time you go to the toilet to wash your hands and clean your teeth after a meal.

 4 Wash your body frequently, every two hours. in a tropical country it may be quicker to take a shower often rather than washing bit by bit.


About the Author

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For a santa hat:

https://www.daisosingapore.com.sg/store_location/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daiso

About the Author

Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. She evaluates speeches, judges speech contests and runs language workshops.

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