Knowing what can and can’t be washed at home can save you time, money - and unnecessary trips to the dry cleaner. While care labels are a helpful guide, many clothes labelled “dry clean only” can actually be cleaned safely at home if you understand the fabric and use the right method.
This guide explains what you can wash at home, what you shouldn’t, and how to care for different fabrics properly, so your clothes last longer and look better.
Quick answer: what can and can’t be washed at home
Many everyday and delicate fabrics, including cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, mohair, angora, some silks and some rayon, can be washed at home using suitable detergents and low temperatures.
However, structured garments, heavily embellished items and some delicate fabrics like viscose (a type of rayon) should still be professionally dry cleaned to avoid damage.
What exactly is dry cleaning?
What does “dry clean only” actually mean?
“Dry clean only” doesn’t always mean a garment must be dry cleaned. It usually means dry cleaning is the lowest-risk option recommended by the manufacturer.
Some brands label items this way to:
- Reduce liability if garments are damaged
- Protect shape, colour or surface finishes
- Account for trims, linings or construction details
That said, experienced home laundering can be a perfectly safe alternative for many items, particularly if they’re washed gently.
PS: If you want to learn more about what your washing machine settings actually mean, we've got this blog to break them down for you.
Alternatives to dry cleaning
The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to dry cleaning. Most wool and silk garments can be hand washed at home with gentle detergent and cool water. Our range of specialist detergents has been crafted by care experts for all your hand washing needs. For example, our Knitwear & Delicates Detergent is a gentle pH-neutral formula designed to protect fabric fibres, while helping to deter common pests, such as moths.
For those times when a quick refresh is needed, our Crease Release Refreshing Spritz stunningly scents your clothes with the natural fragrance of Blue Lily and Bergamot, while also killing 96% of odour-causing bacteria, and eliminating wrinkles.
The truth is that there is no definitive rule when it comes to washing your clothes - each garment is constructed differently with a unique blend of fibres, so it's essential to consider each item, individually, before deciding whether to wash it at home or take it to a professional for treatment.
Before determining what's best for your item, consider asking yourself the following questions to help you decide:
1. What is it made from?
Cotton, polyester, acrylic
Cotton, polyester and acrylic are one of the easiest fabrics to wash at home.
How to wash cotton, polyester & acrylic at home
- Machine wash on a cool or warm cycle
- Use an Everyday Detergent which is designed to protect fibres and colour
- Turn garments inside out to reduce fading
Cotton shirts, dresses, underwear and everyday basics are all well suited to home washing.
Linen
Linen is strong but prone to creasing.
How to wash linen at home
- Machine wash on a cool, gentle cycle
- Avoid overloading the machine
- Air dry and reshape while damp
Linen can shrink if washed too hot, so cooler temperatures are key.
Wool
Many wool garments - including jumpers and cardigans - can be washed at home.
How to wash wool at home
- Hand wash or use a wool/delicates cycle
- Always use a wool-specific detergent
- Wash in cool water only
- Dry flat and reshape while damp
The wrong detergent and heat are the main causes of wool shrinkage and felting.
If you regularly wash knitwear at home, using a wool-safe detergent can dramatically improve softness and longevity.
Cashmere
Cashmere is more delicate than standard wool, but it can usually be washed at home safely.
How to wash cashmere
- Hand wash ideally (or a gentle wool cycle)
- Use cool water and minimal agitation
- Never wring or twist
- Dry flat on a towel
Cashmere benefits from less frequent washing - airing between wears helps preserve fibres.
Mohair
Mohair fibres are smooth and naturally resistant to odours.
Can you wash mohair at home?
Yes - but gently.
Best method
- Hand wash in cool water
- Avoid rubbing or scrubbing
- Dry flat and gently brush once dry to restore loft
Mohair can lose its fluffy texture if over-agitated.
Angora
Angora is extremely soft - and extremely fragile.
Can angora be washed at home?
Usually, but with caution.
Best method
- Hand wash only
- Very cool or cold water
- Minimal handling
- Dry flat away from heat
If angora is blended with wool or synthetics, it’s often more stable than pure angora.
Silk (some items)
Not all silk needs dry cleaning. Many simple silk garments can be washed at home.
Washable silk includes
- Unlined blouses
- Scarves
- Slips and camisoles
How to wash silk
- Hand wash in cool water
- Use a silk or delicates detergent
- Avoid soaking for long periods
Avoid washing silk with heavy dyes or embellishments at home.
TENCEL™, Modal & Lyocell
These semi-synthetic fibres are often more stable than viscose.
Best practice
- Machine wash on a gentle cycle
- Cool temperatures
- Avoid over-spinning
These fabrics are increasingly used in premium garments and are generally home-wash friendly.
What shouldn’t be washed at home
Viscose / Rayon
Viscose and rayon are often mistaken for easy-care fabrics, but they are among the least stable fibres when wet. Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric, and viscose is a type of rayon.
Can viscose or rayon be washed at home?
In most cases, dry cleaning is recommended. If you're very keen to wash rayon at home, then make sure it's by hand and very gently in cold water. For viscose, we say better just to dry clean. You can also lightly steam them and refresh with our Clothing Sprays.
Why viscose and rayon are tricky
- Fibres weaken significantly when wet
- High risk of shrinkage and distortion
- Fabric can lose structure permanently
- Difficult to fully reshape once dry
Even gentle hand washing can cause irreversible changes, especially for:
- Dresses
- Tailored garments
- Lined or structured pieces
If a viscose or rayon garment is labelled “dry clean only”, it’s best to follow that guidance.
Structured or tailored garments
These include:
- Suits and blazers
- Coats with shoulder pads or interfacing
- Tailored jackets
Water can distort internal construction and permanently alter fit.
Heavily embellished garments
Avoid washing at home if items feature:
- Sequins or beads
- Heavy embroidery
- Metallic threads
These details are easily damaged by water and friction.
Fabrics with coatings or finishes
Garments with:
- Leather trims
- Special finishes
- Bonded fabrics
…often rely on dry cleaning to maintain appearance and texture.
Hand washing vs machine washing
When to hand wash
Hand washing is best for:
- Cashmere, angora and mohair
- Silk
- Rayon (if not dry cleaning)
How to hand wash clothes
- Fill a basin with cool water
- Add gentle detergent
- Submerge and lightly swirl
- Rinse thoroughly
- Press out water and dry flat
When machine washing is suitable
Machine washing works well for:
- Cotton
- Linen
- TENCEL™ and modal
- Most wool & wool blends
Tips
- Use gentle cycles only
- Hand wash for the first wash, to set the dye, then machine wash after that
- Wash cold
- Use laundry bags for delicate items
Fabric care guide: what can and can’t be washed at home
| Fabric | Wash at home? | Recommended method | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Yes | Machine wash | Cool to warm wash; turn inside out to reduce fading |
| Linen | Yes | Cooler machine wash | Avoid high heat to prevent shrinkage |
| Wool | Yes | Hand wash or wool cycle | Use wool-specific detergent; dry flat |
| Cashmere | Yes | Hand wash | Wash infrequently; never wring or tumble dry |
| Merino wool | Yes | Wool cycle or hand wash | More stable than other wools but still wash cool |
| Mohair | Yes | Hand wash | Minimal agitation; dry flat to maintain loft |
| Angora | Usually | Hand wash | Extremely delicate; blends are more stable |
| Silk (unlined) | Yes | Hand wash | Cool water only; avoid soaking |
| Silk (lined / structured) | No | Dry clean | Water can distort shape and lining |
| Viscose / Rayon |
Rayon with caution, viscose no |
Dry clean | Fibres weaken when wet; high shrinkage risk |
| Modal | Yes | Gentle machine wash | More stable than viscose; wash cool |
| TENCEL™ / Lyocell | Yes | Gentle machine wash | Strong when wet; avoid high spin speeds |
| Polyester | Yes | Machine wash | Durable; wash cool to protect fibres |
| Acetate | No | Dry clean | Loses structure and finish in water |
| Cupro | Sometimes | Hand wash or dry clean | Treat like silk; test carefully |
| Velvet (silk or rayon) | No | Dry clean | Pile can flatten or mark |
| Velvet (cotton) | Sometimes | Hand wash | Test first; avoid friction |
| Leather / suede | No | Specialist clean | Water causes staining and stiffness |
| Garments with sequins or beading | No | Dry clean | Embellishments easily damaged |
| Tailored suits / blazers | No | Dry clean | Internal structure relies on solvents |
| Coated or bonded fabrics | No | Dry clean | Water damages finishes and adhesion |
To summarise, silk, cashmere, mohair and angora and rayon (excluding viscose) can be delicately hand washed at home with a gentle pH-neutral laundry detergent. Most wool, polyester, cotton, linen, or synthetic fabrics (including acrylic) can be machine washed on the right setting.
But any garment with detailing or structure cannot be washed at home. We recommend that you use a clothing spray as an alternative to dry cleaning and for a quick refresh between wearing. You can also brush items such as formalwear or fur to remove any surface dirt or debris, and steam clean.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in peace-of-mind, you can protect your delicate and most precious items all year round with our Scent & Protect Box - a carefully curated kit designed specially for your knitwear & delicate items. It includes specialist detergents, refreshing clothing sprays and storage accessories including drawer liners, scent bags and, during moth season, moth traps as well, to refresh and safeguard your whole wardrobe, all year round.
👉 Explore the Scent & Protect Box here and give your knitwear and delicate garments the care they deserve.
For more expert tips, such as how to repair a moth hole, or how to hand-wash clothes, head to our other clothing care journals.
Disclaimer: Our recommendations for washing 'dry clean only' items are intended solely for use with Clothes Doctor specified products. And whilst we are happy to provide advice, any attempts to wash 'dry clean only' items are done so at the risk of the reader. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us on support@clothes-doctor.com for more information or help.
