What happens if you conventionally wash something, like a suit coat and pants, that are dry clean only?
A lot of different things can happen when you wash a garment that is supposed to be dry cleaned — depending on the fabric type, it can shrink, fade, or disintegrate. Garments are classified as “dry clean only” for different reasons — sometimes it’s the main fabric that isn’t washable, sometimes it’s the lining fabric, stabilizer (often used in collars, cuffs and lapels), thread, or a specific dye or embellishment (or the method used to attach it). Do-it-yourself dry cleaning kits are now available at the grocery store (in the laundry section) — one of them is called Dryel. The kits include a large zippered bag, stain remover pads and solution, and moist cleaning sheets — you use the stain remover to get rid of spots and stains, put the garment in the bag with a cleaning sheet, zip the bag shut and throw it in the dryer. The heat from the dryer activates the solution in the cleaning sheet and steam cleans the garment. You then quickly hang up the damp garment to dry and the wrinkles
