UK expert Carla Saull, founder of Good Wash Day, revealed her top tips READ MORE: Dry cleaner shrunk my Airbnb's £1,000 curtains and won't repair them in time for guests, SALLY SORTS ITSee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ELMIRA TANATAROVA, ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR Updated: 15:48 BST, 27 May 2026
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreWe've all been there - you buy a stunning silky shirt or satin blouse, proudly ready to make it a wardrobe staple.But after wearing it once (and prompting many compliments), it sits for weeks in a pile, waiting for enough clothing items to join it to justify a dry cleaners visit.And although it's often seen as a cardinal sin to chuck a delicate 'dry clean' or 'hand wash' only item in with the rest of your wash, an expert has revealed how you can get away with it - and avoid ruining your nice new garments.'Many items labelled dry clean only can actually be safely washed at home if you treat them with care,' Carla Saull, founder of Good Wash Day (goodwashday.com) told the Daily Mail.'The label is often a precaution rather than an absolute rule. The key is understanding what the fabric is and why it is considered delicate, and then adjusting your approach accordingly.' Read on for Carla's top tips on how to keep your clothes looking their best after a machine wash... And although it's often seen as a cardinal sin to chuck a delicate 'dry clean' or 'hand wash' only item in with the rest of your wash, an expert has revealed how you can get away with it without totally ruining your nice new garments. Stock image usedAlways use a mesh laundry bagCarla explained that 'this protects the garment from friction against the drum and other items, which is one of the main causes of damage to delicate fabrics'.You must also make sure to turn the item inside out before it goes in for extra caution.Select the coldest wash availableIdeally, aim for 30 degrees or below, 'on the gentlest cycle your machine offers', Carla suggested. 'If your machine has a hand wash or silk cycle, use it.'Know which fabrics you can get away with 'Silk, cashmere and fine wool can often be machine-washed on a delicate cycle with the right detergent and will come out beautifully if you do not tumble dry them,' Carla said.'Structured items like tailored jackets, suits or anything with interfacing or padding should still go to the dry cleaner as the structure, not just the fabric, is what gets damaged.'Embellished or beaded items are also best avoided in the machine as the agitation can loosen embellishments even on a gentle cycle.'Use a specialist, delicate or wool detergentThe key, Carla stressed, is to ensure you never use a standard biological one. This is because the enzymes in biological detergents break down protein-based fibres like wool, silk and cashmere.Never tumble dry anything that was dry clean only, even on a low heatDrying your delicate piece after a machine wash is what could make or break the fabric - as it can be stretched or ruined while being shaped. 'Lay it flat on a clean towel to dry in its natural shape,' Carla advised.'Hanging delicate knits while wet will stretch them out of shape permanently.'Reshape the item gently by hand while it is still damp and leave it to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat sources.' HOW TO HANDLE THE MOST DELICATE FABRICS IN YOUR WASHING MACHINE, ACCORDING TO AN EXPERTSILK 'Silk can feel daunting to wash, and as a result, put people off wearing or washing silk garments. The good news is that many silk items can be washed at home – as long as the care label allows it. Turning the blouse inside out and placing it in a laundry bag – or pillowcase – will help protect the fibres, while a colder wash at 20–30°C with a gentle detergent keeps the silk looking its best. It's also worth avoiding fabric conditioner, as this can cling to silk and affect its finish.'LINEN 'Linen is a summer staple thanks to its breathable feel, but it does need a little extra care. Wash linen on its own or in an uncrowded drum so the fabric can move freely. A cotton or gentle cycle with a lower spin speed of around 800 RPM can help reduce creasing, too. But it's taking linen out as soon as the cycle finishes and letting it air dry that really makes the difference, helping prevent deep creases from setting in and making it much easier to iron.'COTTON 'Cotton shirts are a wardrobe staple - partly because of their durability! Keeping them looking and feeling crisp comes down to how they're washed and dried. Washing at 20-40°C on a standard cotton cycle works well, and checking the care label first, as advice can vary per brand. Post-wash handling is important - shaking cotton clothes out before drying and hanging can also reduce creases and keep the cotton looking effortless.'Source: Adam Norris, Senior Product Manager (Laundry and Dishwashing) at Hotpoint
