Washing slacks vs. dry cleaning

[Jack Ricci]

My wife was given slacks that appear expensive and the label requires
dry cleaning. We seldom use dry cleaning as in most cases my wife washes
by hand, very carefully and has not had problems. She hesitates on this
one as it is a gift and she doesn't know how much it costs. She even
considered returning them to the gift giver to be exchanged for washable
slacks, but that is no longer an option as she wore the slacks, twice!

The brand is "Elizabeth." This is what the label says: 90 percent rayon,
10 percent wool, lining 100 percent acetate. Dry cleaning is very
expensive, and we cannot really afford to have the slacks dry cleaned,
even once a month would soon be more than the basic cost of the slacks,I
think. Any suggestions anyone? Thanks.

[Chloe]

"Jack Ricci" <jrit...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jritch53-1C0AAD...@news.phx.highwinds-media.com...

http://www.dryel.com/ I've never used the product, but maybe someone who
has will chime in. Proctor and Gamble tests carefully before they put
products on the market.

She can probably safely hand wash the slacks--gently--in COLD water using a
gentle detergent like Woolite. Rinse and squeeze gently to get most of the
water out, but do not wring, and hang to drip dry.

[The Real Bev]

Chloe wrote:

> "Jack Ricci" <jrit...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> My wife was given slacks that appear expensive and the label requires
>> dry cleaning. We seldom use dry cleaning as in most cases my wife washes
>> by hand, very carefully and has not had problems. She hesitates on this
>> one as it is a gift and she doesn't know how much it costs. She even
>> considered returning them to the gift giver to be exchanged for washable
>> slacks, but that is no longer an option as she wore the slacks, twice!

At this point, the price is irrelevant. Too late to do the sensible thing :-(

>> The brand is "Elizabeth." This is what the label says: 90 percent rayon,
>> 10 percent wool, lining 100 percent acetate. Dry cleaning is very
>> expensive, and we cannot really afford to have the slacks dry cleaned,
>> even once a month would soon be more than the basic cost of the slacks,I
>> think. Any suggestions anyone? Thanks.
>
> http://www.dryel.com/ I've never used the product, but maybe someone who
> has will chime in. Proctor and Gamble tests carefully before they put
> products on the market.
>
> She can probably safely hand wash the slacks--gently--in COLD water using a
> gentle detergent like Woolite. Rinse and squeeze gently to get most of the
> water out, but do not wring, and hang to drip dry.

And expect to press them carefully -- rayon wrinkles easily. I used to wash
wool skirts by hand and press them carefully. Now I wouldn't dream of
owning clothing that required that much special care. Only people with more
money than brain have things dry-cleaned!

--
Cheers,
Bev
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
'Politics' comes from an ancient Greek word meaning
'many blood-sucking leeches.' -- Mark Russell

[mrav...@aol.com]

As a dry cleaner I would not reccomend trying to wash them at home.
The fact that they contain wool (even if it is only 10 percent) tells
me that the pants will most likely shrink or be permanently wrinkled
or both. If you insist on washing them, please, only cold water!!!!
How much do they charge for drycleaning a pair of pants where you
live??

MrAvenez

[Rick]

When my sister was working for an airline all their uniform apparel was
marked "dry clean only." And I know it was a weird blend. The pants were
rayon lined as well. Since this was everyday work wear - no choice in
the matter - and even the suit jacket was subject to getting trashed in
a single trip, dry cleaning costs would get prohibitive in very short
order. (And it wasn't practical either if you needed the suit jacket
right away for the next trip.)

Anyway, she never had a problem machine washing any of it - including
the suit jackets and vests - gentle cycle only, just regular laundry
soap, cold water only. Line dry only - no dryer.

Rick