Most clothes fall clearly into one of two groups: things you can wash at home, and things that need a professional dry clean. The costly mistakes happen in between — a rayon kurta that shrinks two sizes, or a blazer that comes out of the machine lumpy. Here's how to tell which is which.
Start with the care label
The small symbols on the label are an international standard and are the most reliable guide you have:
- Washtub — safe to wash. A number inside is the maximum water temperature in °C; a hand in the tub means hand wash only.
- Circle — professional cleaning. A letter inside tells the cleaner which process to use.
- Crossed-out washtub — do not wash in water. Treat it as dry clean only.
- Crossed-out circle — do not dry clean.
Usually safe to wash
- Cotton T-shirts, everyday shirts and cotton kurtas
- Jeans and casual trousers
- Polyester and cotton-polyester blends
- Towels, bed sheets and pillow covers
These are ideal for laundry by kg — far cheaper per piece than dry cleaning.
Usually needs dry cleaning
- Wool suits, blazers and coats — the inner structure (interfacing, shoulder padding) can warp in water.
- Silk — water can leave marks and dull the sheen.
- Zari, sequins and heavy embroidery — metallic thread can tarnish, and embellishment can loosen.
- Rayon and viscose — they often shrink badly when wet.
- Velvet — the pile flattens and marks easily.
For these, choose dry cleaning, and for silk sarees and lehengas see our ethnic wear care.
The grey zone
Linen, cotton-silk blends and printed rayon are the pieces that catch people out. If the label allows washing, hand wash in cold water and dry in the shade. If there's no label, test colour-fastness first: dampen a hidden seam and press a white cloth against it. If colour transfers, don't wash it.
Don't over-clean
Every clean — wash or dry clean — causes a little wear. Clean clothes when they're soiled or no longer smell fresh, not after every single wear. Air suits and jackets between wears and brush off dust; that alone stretches the time between cleans.