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Wondering for 100% cotton--whether the item can be machine washed in gentle care, and even occasionally machine dryed (for the dryer--that's if say you're ok with a slight shrink).
Can gentle cycle pass for dress pants that say 'dry clean only'?
Do cotton pants shrink about 1/2" inseam in the dryer?
Generally speaking I find that dry cleaning doesn't clean as well and it can get cumbersome, I wish I could use only for suits (which I don't wear everyday).
When a garment made from a washable fabric says dry clean only, it's usually because it's not made well enough to hold up in the washing machine. Try it on the gentle cycle but only if you're prepared for possible bad results.
I only buy what I like a lot, so I follow the cleaning rules. Cotton clothing that say dry clean can be iffy, which means that you will probably get lots of shrinkage. If you do decide to wash and it looks good out of the washing machine, hang to dry may be best to avoid additional shrinkage.
I haven't bought cotton clothes that specify dry cleaning only. I wash all my cottons though, and my woolens. You can't go wrong with a gentle cycle and a cool wash. You can line dry and then press. The newer dryers are gentler on clothes, and on certain cycles will not dry a garment completely dry.
I even have washed silk on the gentle cycle with cool wash.
I think it is the dryer that is likely to shrink clothes.
But, if the garment specifies dry cleaning, then I would think hard before putting it in the washing machine. (Although I've done that.)
I wash my dry clean only clothes without issues. I wash them by hand in the washer since they don't really get dirty (just rub them a few times, then rinse, and let it spin a little). I don't put them in the dryer though -- that might shrink them.
Cotton can shrink. Dress pants - if they have any lining it can get terribly wrinkly. I had a pair like that and it was very uncomfortable to wear after I washed it, even if fabric did not shrink or anything.
I don't think I'd put them in the dryer. When I had a top loader, I would put things in the dryer for a few minutes to get rid of the wrinkles from the spin cycle, then hang.
I won't wash suits, or expensive gowns, but I have washed several more casual dry clean only items. Gentle wash and never machine dry, hardly anything goes in the dryer at my house except towels, bed linens and underwear.
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