Everything About Home Dry Cleaning Kits

  • Amrita Singh
  • July 1, 2023
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Everything About Home Dry Cleaning Kits
Everything About Home Dry Cleaning Kits

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Are you hearing a lot about Home Dry Cleaning Kits these days but not really sure about using them? It is one of the easiest ways to clean clothes labelled as “dry clean”, “dry clean only” and “hand wash only”. 

In this article, we have shared how and when to use a home dry cleaning kit. Keep reading to know everything about these kits. 

What Are Home Dry Cleaning Kits

Components of a Home Dry Cleaning Kit
Things you will get inside a home dry cleaning kit

Home dry cleaning kit steam cleans your garments in a clothes dryer. These kits contain everything you will need to clean clothes completely like stain remover solution, stain absorbent pads or clothes, dryer sheets (fused with cleaning agents), and re-usable laundry bags as well. 

You can find home dry cleaning kits like Dryel, Woolite, etc. in the laundry section of your supermarket or online. Always read the product label before using it to know if it’s safe for the fabric you need to clean.

Home dry cleaning kits claim to freshen and clean delicate clothes without any industrial solvent used at dry cleaning stores. It generally contains the following elements:

  • Dryer sheet or dryer-activated cloth: These small sheets or cloths are loaded with certain chemicals that get activated with steam and clean the garments.
  • Stain remover solution: The stain removal solution that comes in these kits is formulated to work on almost all types of stains and fabrics. However, you should still check the care label to be extra sure.
  • Stain absorbent pads: These pads are used while spot treatment to spot the stain from spreading to other areas of garments.
  • Reusable dryer bag: Garments are supposed to be placed in these laundry bags along and then placed in the dryer.

Does Home Dry Cleaning Sheets Really Work

A one-word answer is – Yes, they work. However, you should not expect the results to be as good as professional dry cleaning. Sometimes the home dry-cleaning kits don’t really “clean” garments properly. But when it comes to freshening up delicate clothes which are very dirty, they work very well. Many people consider home dry cleaning kits effective to kill odours. It is perfect to use on a garment that you have not washed after wearing and willing to wear again. 

When it comes to stains, the stain removal solution that comes in a dry-cleaning kit is effective on water-based and light stains. If there are very old and tough stains or heavy grim then you might need to use other stain removal methods. 

Pros & Cons of using home dry cleaning kits

Pros and cons of a home dry cleaning kit
Pros and cons of a home dry cleaning kit

Pros of Home Dry cleaning kits

  • These kits are less expensive in comparison to professional dry cleaning 
  • It takes only 30 minutes for a dryer cycle to clean clothes, hence it is time-saving & convenient.
  • It is generally safe for all fabrics.
  • Helps in getting rid of sweat and smoke odours
  • Keeps clothes fresh for a longer time
  • Works especially well for knit garments like sweaters

Cons of Home Dry cleaning kits

  • Some home dry cleaning kits are powered by harsh chemical solvents that are not supposed to be used on delicate fabrics. Hence, you need to be careful while reading the label.
  • It can be hard to remove oil-based stains if they are too old or deeply settled in the fibres using the standard stain remover in the kit.
  • They do not give a freshly pressed look for tailored garments such as suit coats and trousers
  • Some home dry cleaning kits might not always “clean” a garment and end up only neutralizing bad odours

Usually, you should avoid using a home dry cleaning kit on the following fabrics:

  • Fur

  • Leather

  • Suede

  • Velvet

  • Taffeta

  • Rayon

Before moving ahead quickly have a look at the garments that should and should not be cleaned at home using these kits. 

 

Clothes that can be treated with home dry cleaning kits

  • Sweaters / Sweatshirts / Cardigans
  • Jeans/shorts
  • Jackets (Unstructured)
  • Skirts (Unstructured)
  • Trousers
  • Blouses / Shirts / Tops / Plain Kurtis
  • Clothes with very light embroidery

Clothes that can be treated with home dry cleaning kits

  • Structured and tailored jackets or suits
  • Pleated skirts or shirts
  • Large comforters/blankets
  • Heavily stained clothes
  • Heavily soiled clothes
  • Clothes having beads, sequins or metallic design elements
  • Clothes having heavy embroidery
  • Leather clothes
  • Clothes having fur

What if we say you can get clean and wrinkle-free clothes without any effort?

Know More

How To Dry Clean At Home With A Kit

Steps of using a home dry cleaning kit
Steps of using a home dry cleaning kit

Gather everything that is required

Along with a home dry cleaning kit, you will need the following things to clean clothes:

  • Automatic clothes dryer
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Flat drying rack
  • Sturdy clothes hanger

Remove the stains first

Generally, you have to place the stain absorbent pads on the backside of the stained area. Pour 2-3 drops of stain remover solution and rub it gently using a soft-bristled brush or blot the stain using a microfiber cloth. The exact way of usage differs from kit to kit, so, do not forget to read the instructions.

Pro-tip: If you run out of the included stain remover, you can purchase dry cleaning fluid online. Follow the instructions carefully as these products can produce hazardous fumes. You will need to use it with extreme caution.

Place the garments in the laundry bag

Close all buttons, VELCROS and zippers. If your clothes are not visibly dirty but have sweat or other odours, turn them inside out. When the interior will be exposed to more of the cleaning steam it will kill the odours. Then place similar types of fabric in the bag. For example, put on blouses with light shirts. Don’t overfill the laundry bag as the garments need space to move freely.

Run the dryer on ideal setting

Place the laundry bags with one of the moist towels or dryer sheets. As mentioned earlier, these sheets or towels are infused with the dry cleaning solution. Run your dryer on a medium to high heat for 30 minutes and wait till the cycle ends.

Remove the clothes from the dryer

Remove the clothes from the dryer immediately when the cycle is finished. This will prevent wrinkles. At this stage, the garments will be slightly damp so air-dry them. 

Hang or lay them depending on their fabric or structure. For example, you should hang structured clothes on sturdy hangers, whereas, you should lay knitted garments on a flat surface. 

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Pro-Tips to use home dry cleaning kits better

  • If you run out of or misplace the absorbent pads used for spot treating, use white paper towels.
  • It is important to close buttons, VELCROS and zips of the garments before cleaning to keep their shape intact.
  • If you want to prevent wrinkles then don’t overstuff the laundry bag. 
  • Another way to prevent wrinkles is to air dry them immediately after the dryer cycle ends. 
  • You can try using these kits on stuffed toys to get rid of odours and germs. But always put them in the laundry bag.

Key Takeaway

Start by using the stain remover solution to spot-treat any stains. Place your clothing into the dryer with the included cleaning solution and damp pad or cleaning pad that’s also included. Check how many items can be done at once so you don’t overload. Some at-home kits also come with a bag to put the clothes in. Follow the instructions on the package to run the appropriate drying cycle, which will create steam to help release stains, refresh the fabric, and minimize wrinkles. Hang garments immediately after removing them from the dryer. Lay knits flat to dry. Use them often for most of your knits and softly-tailored dry cleaning needs. Send your expensive fabrics and items along with crisply-tailored garments to a professional.

FAQs on home dry cleaning kits

This is tricky because some home dry cleaning kits may not mention anything in the instructions about “dry-clean only” labels. A garment that is designated with a “dry-clean only” label is a fair warning from the manufacturer that there is a considerable risk of the material or item becoming damaged if it is not professionally dry-cleaned. Use a garment with a “dry-clean only” label in a kit at your own risk.

Steam dryers alone can help freshen up your clothes by reducing wrinkles and odours without having to take them to the dry cleaners. If you have a steam dryer and would like to use a home dry cleaning kit, simply choose the non-steam setting (medium heat or perma-press, for example).

If you have a kit that originally came with a bag, but you don’t have the bag anymore, you can use the towel/sheet without the bag in your dryer. Confirm this by reading the package directions, but usually, it is okay to do as long as you do not overfill the dryer with too many items.

Yes, you can use a home dry cleaning kit for bedding, such as sheets and pillowcases that may have embroidery, lace trim, or need a quick freshening up.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily purport to reflect the values or views of Tumbledry.

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