Dry cleaning vs washing: which does your garment need?

The care label tells you what is safe, not what is best. Here is how to read it — and when to ignore it.

Reading the symbols

A circle means solvent cleaning; a tub means water is safe; a crossed tub means water will damage the fibre, the dye or the construction.

Fabrics that should never see water at home

Structured wool, lined garments, velvet, most silks, viscose and anything with heavy embellishment. For these, choose dry cleaning.

When professional washing is gentler

Perspiration, sugar and many food stains are water-soluble. Our controlled wet cleaning removes them without the abrasion of a domestic machine.