Use professional dry cleaning for high-value or fragile items

For heavily beaded gowns, antique lace, structured silk garments, or anything labeled "dry clean only," take the item to a professional dry cleaner. They use solvent-based cleaning that avoids water entirely.

Why It Works

Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents (typically perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon) instead of water to dissolve oils and dirt. Since many delicate fabrics weaken, shrink, or lose shape when wet, solvent cleaning avoids these risks entirely. Professional pressers also know how to handle fragile embellishments.

Tips

• Point out specific stains to the cleaner so they can pre-treat them
• "Dry clean" means dry cleaning is recommended; "dry clean only" means water will damage the item
• Eco-friendly cleaners use wet cleaning or liquid CO2 as alternatives to traditional solvents
• Store dry-cleaned items uncovered — plastic bags trap moisture and chemicals