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I've used dryel for some sweaters and pants. it works quite well and best of all, no dripping sweaters around the apartment. I feel like about 90% of clothing items that say "dry clean only" can be hand washed in the sink with woolite or similar. I do this with silk and cashmere a lot and haven't had any problems. it's especially good if the item has delicate details as the fabric doesn't take a beating like it will in the washing machine (even on gentle).

also, if you hang your clothes inside out when you get home to let them get some air, you'll probably need to clean them less.

I wash cashmere. I am an avid knitter, sweater lover, and cashmere fiend. It is certainly fine to wash it by hand in cool water but I have been known to toss it in the washing machine.

I agree that it can be very nice and refreshing to hang things outside that aren’t soiled but just need some fresh air and sun.

I was checking the tag on my favorite skirt and it read:

"Dry Clean Only

We recommend Woolite (with logo)"

Hmmm...I've always taken it to the dry cleaner, but now I plan to take their (other) advice and handwash it.

I have several shirts that are silk that do just fine in the washer and the dryer with everything else.

For years, I've had a general rule that if I can't just toss it in with everything else and I have to worry about it, then it should belong in my wardrobe. I enjoy unusual clothes and have a different style, but I just don't like thinking that much about my laundry.

Hand Wash. Lay flat to dry. Just be careful what kind of detergent you use and it'll be fine.


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Wool winter coats ( the kind folks in cities like NY and Chicago wear) don't do well with Dryel or the dryer. They shrink. Not sure I want to risk my cashmere or alpaca to the dryer.

I wash almost everything. One warning, liquid fabric softener will ruin silk! I found this out before I knew it was such icky stuff. Anyhow, now I use homemade laundry soap and I wash all my wool sweaters in with everything else and lay flat to dry.

SOAK is a good alternative to Woolite- smells better, the smell doesn't linger in the clothes, and it is biodegradable, so is better for the environment. You can find this in many yarn stores around the country.

I just washed a cashmere scarf in Ecover's delicates wash. It feels wonderfully soft, much softer than when it was brand new. Perfect!

For quick freshening (like armpits on wool sweaters) spray lightly with a 50/50 mixture of cheap vodka and water. This is an old theater trick for freshening costumes between cleanings. The vodka kills the bacteria in sweat that causes the stink. It's better than using chemicals as it doesn't leave a fragrance behind.

I buy a lot of silk shirts at thrift stores which I hand-wash, but after hearing other peoples' luck with machine washing, I may try it out.

I'm fortunate to have a non-toxic cleaners near a favorite restaraunt, so once in a blue moon I do have some special items professionally cleaned and have a double-dose of Cajun food.

livetoeat, that's an amusing tag! Dry clean only, but if you don't... or is it the dry cleaners that are supposed to use Woolite?

I hand wash all of my cashmere as well as silk shirts using special laundry soap but NOT WOOLITE. Woolite is not good for wool of any kind. The only things I end up dry cleaning are taffeta dresses (I wouldn't even begin to know how to wash/press something like that) and wool overcoats.

wool is trickier, but silk I have no shame in washing in a gentle soap, and throwing in an extractor, then a dryer. If it has any embellishments (ie. lace) it should probably be air dried though.

the thing with wool is to avoid changing the ph of the fibre, so as not to start the felting process. Use tepid water and little agitation. Lay flat to dry.