HOW TO SAVE MONEY WITH THIS AT-HOME DRY CLEANING METHOD

2015 - Maximizing my cost-per-wear by dressing down a silk dress with sandals

Dry cleaning clothes can be harmful on people, the planet, and not to mention - your wallet.  The liquid solvent used at 85% of all dry cleaners, called perchloroethylene or "perc," has been identified as a possible human carcinogen.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it has been known to cause esphageal cancer, lymphoma, cervical and bladder cancer.   It is also considered a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.  Luckily by 2023, California will become the first state where perc will be banned.

2013 - Originally purchased this dress for one of my best friend's wedding

Although I have switched most of my clothes to be machine- or hand-washable, I have a few pieces of clothing that have "Dry Clean Only" tags.  In those instances, I use the following method to clean my clothes, including my beloved Burberry wool peacoat (similar).

Dry cleaners use damaging cleaning agents that can easily break down the garment fibers.
By using an alternative at-home cleaning process, clothes stay in a like-new condition longer.

1.  For delicate garments like silk blouses or cashmere sweaters, I actually put mine in the washing machine using the "Delicate" or "Hand Wash" cycle.  I group similar materials into mesh garment bags.  Don't overstuff the bags.  Otherwise, the items will be overcrowded and will not have enough room to move around the cleaning cycle.  Dry garments lying flat.

2.  If you don't want to chance using the washing machine, try this technique instead.  Spray the garment with a diluted mixture of 1 part water, 1 part white distilled vinegar, and a few drops of lavender oil.  Pay special attention the inside collar and armpit areas, where odors and stains are most prominent.  The vinegar and lavender oil are both known to be natural disinfectants.  Don't worry about the overpowering vinegar smell.  You cannot detect the scent after a few minutes.  Only the lavender scent will linger.

3.   Use a handheld fabric steam cleaner.  The heat from the steam does double duty to your garment.  Not only will it further kill any unwanted bacteria, it will also smooth out any creases.  A travel-sized, hand-held steam cleaner like this one is powerful enough to eliminate any ironing needs and is easy to store.

2015 - St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
This dry cleaning method works well while traveling too.