06 March 2024 , 10:41
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If you've spilled something down your favourite jumper and then you see the dreaded 'dry-clean only' label, what do you do?
It can be frustrating, and not to mention time consuming and expensive, to take your clothes to get dry cleaned, but sometimes it's necessary. That is, until a cleaning enthusiast revealed there's a "secret" button on your washing machine that lets you wash 'dry-clean only' items at home.
Often, some items of clothing will say 'dry-clean only' because they might shrink if they are washed on too hot a cycle, or if they are spun too fast at home. However, there's a setting on your washing machine that can ensure these things don't happen.
Hazel Mckinnie, from Wee Scotty Cleaners, said she has the ideal setting to combat these issues, and even a three-piece suit "washes up amazingly" with the hack. In a TikTok video, where she demonstrated what she does, she explained: "I am just going to show you one of these settings on this machine. It's a Beko. I have had lots of expensive washing machines and I love Beko.
"Even our service engineer who services our machines says Beko is the best. So anyway, I am using the delicate [cycle]. Who knew that you could put your suit trousers in? I've got a suit jacket and I've got a men's three-piece suit. This says dry clean only but I'm going to show you a wee trick."
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The mum-of-two, who runs her own laundrette, put a Fairy pod into the washing machine on a delicate wash, which automatically changed it to a 800 spin setting, on a 40 degree wash. She added: "That's all I want".
Sharing the end results, she added: "The wash is finished and the clothes have washed up amazingly. Now all I have to do is hang them in a warm room and they will come up amazingly. All you have to do is maybe just a little steam."
Although Hazel has a Beko washing machine, which can be purchased from Currys for £239, a lot of other appliances have a delicate washing setting. Many were impressed by the results, and the video has now had more than 91,000 views.
"Been doing this for years I never use dry cleaning," said one cleaning fan. Another agreed, adding: "I always use delicate on all my clothes."
Someone else wrote: "I have the same machine and you the delicate too," however, another warned: "Works for a lot of suits but be careful you don't wash virgin wool! Suits can separate from the wool lining after being washed too many times."
Of course, not all fabric is created equal, so it's important to be careful when washing dry-clean only fabrics at home, as there will always be a risk. According to Whirlpool, leather, suede, beaded or sequinned items, silk, velvet, wool and taffeta should be dry cleaned.