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Men's Guide to Dry Cleaning

The simple truth is that many of us dry clean our clothing too often. Dry cleaning, while a popular practice, should be used sparingly as a last resort when other softer, and more cost-effective methods won't do the trick.

The process is called "dry" cleaning because it doesn't involve soap and water. Instead, a solvent called perchlorethylene, or DF2000 is run through the clothing and then extracted via centrifugal force along with the dirt, oils, dust, old food, etc. Thus, if overdone, the high drying temperature and chemicals used in the process will harm the fabric of your clothing, decreasing their lifespan. Also, the more often you take your delicate dress shirts to the dry cleaner, the higher the likelihood a garment will eventually get misplaced since many dry cleaners actually have clothes cleaned off-site.

There is no hard-and-fast rule for how many times a year you should dry clean your clothing. Instead, it depends on the fabric, and how desperately your clothes need cleaning. However, one fact remains consistent: moderation is key. For minor odors, brush your suit and hang it in a well-ventilated area. For small stains, use some quick and effective DIY stain removal methods to save yourself some money.

However, if you absolutely have to head down the street to your trusted neighborhood dry cleaner, consider the material and type of clothing you are dropping off when deciding how often to bring them in.

Knit Sweaters: The chemicals used in dry cleaning aren't actually that effective on knitwear, and are especially damaging to cashmere. Instead, take the time to hand wash in soap and water to maintain the softness and longevity of the material.

Cotton Dress Shirts: Dry cleaning cotton too often will deteriorate the fabric fibers and leave them with an unsightly yellow tint. Machine washing dress shirts is a cheaper yet effective way to get them clean.

Wool Jackets: Like cotton, wool fibers are damaged by excessive dry cleaning. Try brushing and spot cleaning first. If those tactics don't work, then it's time to take your treasured merino wool sweater in.

And if you do end up taking a trip to the dry cleaner, remember not to leave your suit in the plastic sleeve as suit fabrics need air.

No matter what your profession or preference, frivolous dry cleaning will wear down your clothing, so dry clean only when necessary!