Dry cleaning is a tax on working women.  Last week, I went to pick up two weeks worth of work-clothes and was presented with a $165 bill.  I was floored.  Here are some tips for ditching the dry cleaner and keeping more of your hard-earned money.

Avoid Buying “Dry Clean Only” Clothes.

There is a difference between ‘dry clean’ and ‘dry clean only.  As The Laundress explains, many items labeled “dry clean” can actually be machine washed on gentle or hand-washed (learn how below).  So when looking at clothes, check the tag: Is it dry clean or dry clean only?

Need machine-washable work clothing?  More retailers are making machine washable pieces.  For work clothes, try MM LaFleur, Banana Republic, or Frank & Oak (for washable sweaters).

Learn to Love Your Steamer.

To lengthen the time between cleanings, you need a steamer.  It’s essential.  A steamer smooths out wrinkles and refreshes clothes.  And since hot steam kills bacteria, it can prevent clothes from smelling.

If you have the space, this Conair Upright Professional Steamer is awesome.  You can steam a dress in less than 3-minutes.  If you need something smaller, this eSteam steamer is endorsed by my friend Hitha.  Need something cheaper? This $20 steamer from Secura is well-reviewed.

Spot Treat Stains Like an Expert.

Real Simple can teach you everything you need to know about stain removal.  But you’ll need a stain toolkit, because different solvents treat different stains.

Carbona Stain Devils are made for all kinds stains — wine, grass, blood, etc.– their $39 kit covers everything.  Other items you may want to keep on hand: ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, dye-free dish soap, Shout, and Woolite.  I also keep a brick of Fels-Naptha for armpit stains on cotton.

I keep my stain kit in a Casabella storage tote.  I also add an old tooth brush, some Q-tips, and muslin cloths.  You will never launder the same way again once you know how to remove stains properly.

Get Ready to Wash the Right Way.

To find out if your item can be washed, check the tag and visit The Laundress website. Their handy guide lets you search for the best way to wash almost any fabric.  The Laundress can also teach you how to hand wash, if your item isn’t machine ready.

If you plan to wash your work clothes, you need to protect them from the washing machine.  Mesh laundry bags protect clothes from the agitator and from tangling with each other.

I like these Kimmama laundry bags because they’re larger and more durable than others I’ve tried.  For lingerie and smaller items, this $8 set contains five different bags.

Protect Your Items While They Dry.

So you’ve spot-treated and washed your delicate pieces, now what?  You need to dry them in a way that won’t stretch them out or damage them.

This Honey Can-Do drying rack lets you dry many pieces at once.  It also folds up when not in use.  If you need to dry sweaters, this hanging, mesh drying rack is a must.

Don’t Overreach.

No matter how prepared you are, some items still have to dry cleaned.  Any item with a lot of structure — like a blazer — should be dry cleaned from time-to-time.  Pleated items should also be dry cleaned.

As for fabrics that I always dry clean, leather and silk are definitely on that list.  Silk can be hand washed, but I just don’t have the time.

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