Does dry cleaning shorten the life of the garment?
Actually it may prolong it. Ground-in dirt and stains only get worse with time. Also, insects are attracted to soiled clothes and can further damage them. The University of North Carolina Department of Clothing and Textiles tested woolen fabric samples for changes after dry cleaning, including loss in strength and resilience, but no significant changes were found–even after 10 dry cleanings. However, it’s recommended to clean matching suit pieces together, because color can change slightly with repeated cleanings.
