Dry cleaning alternative?

[berry987]

My DH just started a new job that requires dress clothes (he used to work from home). Before his work at home job he dry cleaned his clothes at an organic dry cleaner. It was expensive, but very convenient. Now we live in a different state and the nearest organic cleaner is 15 miles away. Too far to be worth it.

So, what can I do at home to get his dress pants clean? His shirts are all cotton and washable, but his pants are dry clean only. I looked up those Dryel kits, and might try something like that out, but am wondering if there is an even simpler method? If you've used Dryel - does it work?

Anyone have an idea?

Thanks!!

[cschick]

First, can he wear something washable like Dockers instead of the higher end dress pants?

Second, I have a bunch of women's "dry clean only" dress pants that I've been washing on delicate with a small amount of detergent for years. My mom also always dealt with dress pants this way, though she used Woolite too. In my experience, it's actually the rare piece of "dry clean only" clothing that'll get ruined via gentle washing. BUT that rare piece is probably going to be a total loss pretty quickly.

I don't do my husband's suits this way, but in a year he'll only wear them for maybe 14 days in total. He generally has to bring them on a 1-2 week overseas trip, and we haul them to the dry cleaners for their yearly cleaning when he gets back.

[allnaturalmom]

I haven't used those dryel sheets in a few years, but IIRC they stink... my dryer would smell for a few days. We're very sensitive to smells here!

My new washer and dryer have steam cycles that are supposed to be good for freshening up dress clothes and sweaters. It's supposed to be good for odors and wrinkles, but I don't think it does well for getting stains out. I personally haven't used it yet, but my SIL who has the same dryer swears by it.

gl
hth

[WiccaWife]

If you have a regular drycleaner in the area, ask them if they can clean his clothes without using Perc, or if they do wet cleaning. What cschick said is right too, if they're a wool blend especially, you should be able to hand wash them.