Five Clothing Items You Should Always Dry Clean (and What Happens If You Don’t)

There’s a clear reason why some garments have that “dry clean only” tag. You may think it’s just a suggestion, but no—ignoring it can lead to some serious laundry disasters. For instance, one wrong wash, and you could end up with shrunken wool sweaters, faded silk blouses, damaged leathers and furs, or even a misshapen suit that no amount of ironing can fix.

To save you from costly wardrobe mishaps, we walk you through the top five clothing items you should always dry clean and exactly what happens if you don’t.

Suits and Blazers

Suits, whether made from wool, linen, or other delicate fabrics, are structured garments with padding, linings, and intricate stitching that can be ruined by traditional washing. Blazers also fall under this category because of their structured fit and specialized fabrics.

What Happens If You Don’t Dry Clean

If you toss a suit or blazer into the washing machine (or even attempt a DIY hand wash), you set yourself up for a disaster. Here’s what can go wrong:

• Fabric Shrinkage – Wool and other natural fibers react poorly to water and heat, causing the garment to shrink and lose its tailored fit.
• Lining Damage – Many blazers have delicate inner linings that can warp, separate, or become misshapen when exposed to moisture.
• Fading and Texture Changes – Certain suit fabrics have a unique weave and finish that can dull, stiffen, or become rough when not professionally cleaned.
• Pressing and Reshaping Issues – A machine washed blazer will likely lose its structured silhouette, requiring expert steaming or pressing to restore it—if it’s even salvageable.

Dry cleaning keeps suits and blazers in top condition by using environmentally friendly solvents that gently lift dirt and oils without harming the fabric.

How to Care for Suits Between Dry Cleaning

Even though suits and blazers need professional cleaning, there are simple steps you can take to keep them fresh between visits to the dry cleaner:

• Spot clean minor stains immediately with a clean cloth.
• Steam or hang in a well-ventilated area to refresh between wears.
• Store in a breathable garment bag to prevent dust buildup.

Silk Blouses, Dresses, Scarves, and Ties

Silk fabrics have a smooth, lightweight texture that makes them feel incredible against the skin. But it also means it’s highly absorbent, prone to water spots, and easily damaged by rough handling. For this very reason, blouses, dresses, scarves, and ties made from silk should always be dry cleaned. Professional dry cleaning preserves the fabric’s natural sheen, prevents fading, and ensures delicate stitching and embellishments stay intact.

What Happens If You Don’t Dry Clean

If you try to wash silk at home, even on a gentle cycle, you might end up with:

• Water stains and discoloration – Silk is highly sensitive to water and can develop permanent blotches or uneven fading if exposed to too much moisture.
• Shrinking and distortion – Silk fabric can warp or shrink when it’s submerged in water, losing its original shape.
• Loss of shine – The natural luster of silk can dull significantly if washed with regular detergent or handled too roughly.
• Frayed edges and weakened fibers – Silk fibers are delicate, and friction from a washing machine or excessive wringing can break them down, causing the fabric to weaken and fray over time.

How to Care for Silk Garments Between Dry Cleaning

Since you don’t need to dry clean silk after every wear, here are a few ways to keep it fresh in between cleanings:

• Avoid applying perfumes or lotions directly onto silk garments.
• Store folded or on padded hangers to prevent stretching.
• Use a gentle fabric refresher spray between wears.

Wool Coats and Cashmere Sweaters

Few fabrics are as luxurious, warm, and timeless as wool and cashmere. These materials elevate your winter wardrobe, offering both comfort and sophistication. But while they may be durable to wear, they are incredibly delicate when it comes to cleaning.

To protect your investment, these garments should always be professionally dry cleaned. Dry cleaners use specialized solvents and techniques that clean wool and cashmere without exposing them to the harsh agitation and water saturation that cause fibers to break down.

What Happens If You Don’t Dry Clean

Skipping the dry cleaner and tossing your wool coat or cashmere sweater into a regular wash cycle can have disastrous results:

• Shrinkage and Warping – Wool and cashmere are highly absorbent, meaning even lukewarm water can cause them to shrink dramatically. Once shrunken, they rarely regain their original shape.
• Fabric Damage and Pilling – Cashmere is made from ultra-fine fibers that easily fray or form pills when exposed to excessive friction, such as from a washing machine drum. Wool can become coarse and stiff without proper care.
• Loss of Structure and Fit – Wool coats are typically structured with linings, interlinings, and padding, which can shift, wrinkle, or lose their shape if exposed to too much moisture or improper drying methods.
• Color Fading and Texture Changes – Harsh detergents and agitation can strip the natural oils from wool and cashmere, leaving the fabric feeling dry, rough, or faded.

How to Care for Wool and Cashmere Between Dry Cleaning

• Use a fabric shaver or sweater comb to remove pilling.
• Fold rather than hang sweaters to prevent stretching.
• Store with cedar balls or sachets to protect against moth damage.

Gowns, Cocktail Dresses, and Embellished & Beaded Clothing

Cocktail Dresses, tops, and gowns with intricate beading, sequins, embroidery, or metallic threads are at high risk of damage when machine washed. This is because the adhesives and delicate stitching used to attach embellishments are not meant to endure water immersion or high agitation.

What Happens If You Don’t Dry Clean

Washing embellished garments at home—even on a delicate cycle—can lead to serious damage. Here’s what you risk:

• Beads and sequins falling off – Machine washing causes friction, which can loosen or break delicate embellishments.
• Threads unraveling – Embroidery and hand-stitched details can fray, snag, or come undone in the wash.

• Fabric distortion – Water absorption can cause delicate fabrics, like silk or chiffon, to stretch, warp, or lose their original structure.
• Color fading – Many beaded or embroidered pieces have special dyes or finishes that can bleed or fade in regular wash cycles.

Once embellishments start falling apart, they can be nearly impossible to reattach without professional repair, making professional dry cleaning service the best preventive care.

How to Care for Embellished Clothing Between Dry Cleaning

• Spot clean small stains carefully using a damp cloth.
• Store items in a garment bag to protect them from snags.
• Avoid excessive folding to prevent creasing delicate embellishments.

Leather, Suede, Fur and Velvet Garments

Leather jackets, suede boots, fur coats, and velvet blazers bring texture, sophistication, and a touch of luxury to your wardrobe. But when it comes to cleaning, these materials are far from low maintenance. These garments require specialized cleaning techniques to maintain their shape, texture, and rich color. If you want your investment pieces to last, trusting a professional cleaner is the best choice

What Happens If You Don’t Clean these properly

Trying to clean leather, suede, or velvet at home can ruin the material permanently. Here’s what can go wrong:

• Water stains and discoloration – These fabrics are extremely absorbent, and excess moisture can leave permanent water spots or cause uneven fading.
• Stiffness and cracking – Leather, suede and fur need proper conditioning. If cleaned incorrectly, they can dry out, losing their softness and flexibility.
• Texture damage – Velvet has a raised pile that can flatten or become patchy if exposed to water and excessive pressure. Leathers, suedes and furs can easily be damaged without the proper cleaning techniques. Most care labels will say “clean by a professional leather cleaner,” or “Clean with a fur cleaning method.” Without following the cleaning methods recommended on the care label, the designer will not provide any warranty should your fine garment get damaged using improper cleaning methods.
• Shrinkage and warping – Suede and velvet, in particular, are prone to losing their shape when exposed to heat or agitation.

How to Care for Leather, Suede, Fur and Velvet Between Dry Cleaning

• Use a suede brush to remove surface dirt.
• Store leather and fur jackets in a cool, dry place. It is  best to use a climate controlled storage vault for off-season storage of leathers, suedes, furs and fine woolens. Parkway provides this service in our on-site storage vault.
• Avoid water exposure—always blot spills instead of rubbing.

Call Parkway Custom Drycleaning to Expertly Dry Clean All Your Finest Pieces!

Now that you know why these delicate garments require professional dry cleaning, the next step is ensuring they receive the highest level of care. Whether it’s an intricately beaded evening gown, a tailored shirt, or a cherished wedding dress, your finest pieces deserve the attention of true garment care specialists.

At Parkway Custom Drycleaning, we’ve delivered fine dry cleaning services to the Washington, D.C. area since 1926, serving Montgomery County, Maryland, and Northern Virginia with an unwavering commitment to excellence. Our team—hailed as “The PhD’s of Stain Removal” by the Washington Post—combines decades of expertise with innovative, eco-friendly cleaning processes to extend the life of your most treasured garments.

Schedule your dry cleaning pickup and delivery today and let Parkway Custom Drycleaning care for your garments with precision and expertise. Have questions? Our team is happy to help—just call us at 301-652-3377 or send an email to admin@parkwaydrycleaning.com to get started!