There is a secret way to wash dry clean only pants at home.

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There is a tiny "Dry-Clean-Only" tag tucked away at the seam when you buy the perfect article of clothing.This is a common experience for me.I threw a blazer into the washing machine because I thought it would be gentle.The result?There is a lesson on the importance of washing clothes.

My carelessness led to the blazer's demise.Most garments with a dry-clean-only tag can be washed at home, you just need the right technique.According to Richard Neale, director of the laundry and dry-cleaning consultant, dry clean labels are often just slapped onto garments as a precautionary measure.

He told the Daily Mail that dry-clean-only labels are often put on by manufacturers.It is often unclear whether they are needed.

We recommend following the manufacturer's cleaning instructions if you want to wash dry-clean-only garments yourself.It's perfectly safe in most cases.Make sure you follow our tips for washing delicate fabrics at home.

You have a garment with a dry-clean-only label, but what else does it say?The little symbols are important.If you pay attention to the type of fabric that your garment is made of, you will be able to figure out how to proceed.

Home washing can damage delicate fabric.Anything with fur or down is included.It's too difficult to tackle suits, pleats, and anything with oil-based stains alone.These should be left to dry cleaning professionals.

What does that leave?Wool, silk, cotton, linen, and durable polyester fabrics are all fair game for home washing.A detailed list of cleaning procedures can be found in our fabric guide.

A spot test will give you some peace of mind if you're worried about the fate of your garment.If you plan to use detergent, rub a cotton swab across the unseen portion of your garment.The cotton swab needs to be dry cleaned if the fabric's dye stains it.

If you want to make sure the dye doesn't bleed, you can do the same test over lace and elaborate stitchings.It's a good idea to start washing clothing if it doesn't appear damaged after you've washed it.

Are you ready for clean clothes?Pick the washing technique that's right for you.Cotton, linen, and durable polyesters are often safe to wash with a machine, but wool, silk and some delicate types of cotton are best treated by hand.

To machine wash, turn your garments inside out and slip them into a mesh bag designed to hold delicates.Take your clothes from the machine as soon as the cycle ends.

Use a clean sink or basin to wash your hands.Add a small amount of detergent, like Woolite, to the water in the tub.The water should appear sudsy.Put your clothing in and out of the mixture until it's saturated, then gently rub it in the water with your fingers.If you feel confident that the garment is clean, empty the sink or basin and fill it with cold water.Put the item in and out of the water.

Put the garment on a towel.Roll up the towel and squeeze to remove the water.Move the garment to a dry area of the towel.When the fabric is no longer dripping, repeat this process 3 to 5 times.Put it out to dry.

Martha Stewart Living says that they can't handle all stains equally.These kits can be purchased for $20 or less if you think this is the way to go.

It is important to not stretch or wring your clothes during the washing and drying process.It's a good idea to keep wools away from warm areas.