Alternatives to Dry Cleaning?

[Momo'sMum]

Dh has 2 pairs of pants that haven't been dry cleaned in 2 years he's had them as we haven't been able to afford it. We now have the money and I really don't want to have it done. I don't want the chemicals anywhere near us.
I read somewhere once that there are more environmentally friendly dry cleaners. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, are they "poeple friendly" as well? My other option is to try and clean them myself and I am prepared to do that but don't have any references for it (and Dh doesn't want them wrecked). Sooo..... does anyone have any wisdom for me, Please.
TIA, Carrie

[ledzepplon]

I have sensitive skin, so I hate to dry clean for that and environmental reasons. I have washed everything that says "dry clean only" on a delicate cycle and it has all come out fine. The only exception has been a pair of my husband's silk Tommy Bahama shorts (I know, I know), which came out crunchy feeling and very wrinkled. I sent them to the dry cleaner and they came back fine.

Unless you just can't bear to lose the item, I say try it in the wash!

[oldcrunchymom]

I wash "dry clean" items on gentle, too. It works fine most of the time.

[phroggies]

What are the pants made of? That might affect the answer, but if it's wool, they should be okay with a cold water wash and a drip dry (or lay flat). I might be more nervous about fabrics that would show water damage (like silk, perhaps?). But most clothes that say "dry clean" are actually washable--manufacturers are just getting chicken and increasingly covering their rears by making everything say dry cleaning.

I also have heard--I forget where--that there's a difference between "dry clean" and "dry clean only" and that the latter are going to be harder to do without "real" dry cleaning.

[Momo'sMum]

Thanks ladies, I had given up on this thread . I am going to try to wash them myself, I don't know what they're made of as they are in the room with the kids right now. Honestly, I'm not afraid of wool, I'd almost rather they were wool as I have had lots of experience with it on baby bums....
I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks for the insight.