Since some of these sites are not affiliated with Clemson University and the Cooperative Extension Service, we cannot guarantee their reliability or accuracy. Manufacturers label clothing and textile items with care instructions that ensure good performance and long life. If the consumer decides to launder an item that is labeled for professional dry cleaning, that consumer must then assume the responsibility for poor performance, such as shrinkage, fading, excess wrinkling, etc. Tailored items that are lined usually do not launder well. Also, heavily beaded or otherwise embellished items may perform better when professionally cleaned.
Some fabrics become limp and lose body when laundered.
On the other hand, some fabrics perform quite well when laundered carefully by hand or on the gentle washer cycle. This laundering should be done in cool water with a mild detergent, with the garment then hung to dry. The key to whether to launder or not is your decision to take a chance on laundering results in order to save dry cleaning fees. It may be worth the gamble after an item is worn a number of times. I have inherited an old quilt with many stains.