Not all clothes belong in the washing machine. Some fabrics can shrink, lose their shape, or even fade if washed the wrong way.

In this blog, we’ll share which fabrics should always be dry cleaned, when to skip home washing, and how to tell if a professional cleaning is worth it.

Fabrics That Should Never Be Machine-Washed

Some fabrics don’t hold up well in a washing machine. The water, heat, and agitation can cause permanent damage, ruining the texture and shape of your clothes. These materials require extra care to stay in good condition.

1. Silk

Silk is a delicate luxury fabric that doesn’t handle water well—moisture can weaken its fibers, cause stains, and alter its smooth finish. Even hand washing can lead to fading, rough patches, or an uneven texture over time.

Dry cleaning maintains silk’s softness, rich color, and elegant drape without the risks of shrinking or damage. If you want your silk blouses, scarves, or dresses to last, professional care is the way to go.

2. Wool & Cashmere

Wool and cashmere are warm and cozy, but they’re also highly absorbent, making them prone to shrinking and losing their shape when exposed to water.

A wool sweater that fits perfectly can turn child-sized after one improper wash, while cashmere can lose its buttery softness, leading to pilling and stretching. Dry cleaning preserves the fibers, keeping them soft, structured, and long-lasting.

3. Suits

Suits are structured garments, and their shape is everything. Whether made of wool, tweed, or linen, regular washing can break down the fabric’s integrity, causing jackets to lose their sharp lines and trousers to sag.

Sweat and oils can settle into the fabric, making the suit look dull over time. Dry cleaning keeps suits looking crisp and professional, removing stains and refreshing the material without altering the fit.

4. Rayon

Rayon looks soft and flowy, often mimicking silk or cotton, but it’s deceptively fragile. This semi-synthetic fabric is made from chemically treated cellulose fibers that shrink, lose shape, or stiffen when washed improperly.

It also doesn’t hold color well, making it prone to bleeding and fading in water. Dry cleaning helps maintain rayon’s smooth texture, color, and drape, ensuring it stays vibrant and stylish.

5. Velvet

Velvet is all about texture, and improper washing can ruin its soft, plush surface. Water and agitation can flatten the fibers, making the fabric stiff, patchy, or permanently damaged.

Once velvet loses its dimensional look, it’s nearly impossible to restore. Dry cleaning protects the fabric’s luxurious sheen, keeping it smooth, soft, and elegant.

6. Leather & Suede

Leather and suede may seem durable, but they react poorly to water. Moisture can cause staining, stiffening, and even cracking over time, while suede is especially vulnerable to dark water spots that ruin its velvety texture.

Regular washing can strip natural oils from these materials, making them brittle. Professional dry cleaners use special treatments to clean, condition, and protect leather and suede, ensuring they stay supple and well-maintained.

7. Fur

Fur isn’t just another fabric—it’s attached to skin, similar to leather, which makes it sensitive to moisture. If fur gets wet, the hide underneath can shrink, crack, or dry out, leading to brittle texture and shedding.

Even if it looks fine initially, the natural oils in the skin can dry up over time, causing irreversible damage. Dry cleaning professionals use specialized techniques to clean fur while preserving its softness, sheen, and longevity.

8. Garments with Special Detailing

Some clothes need dry cleaning not because of the fabric, but because of their intricate construction. Sequined or embroidered pieces are often held together by delicate stitching or adhesives that can loosen or fall apart in water.

Lined or padded jackets contain interfacing and padding that can clump or shift when washed, distorting their structure. Pleated skirts and dresses can lose their crisp folds after a single wash.

Dry cleaning maintains the shape and details of these garments, ensuring they stay polished and intact.

6 Signs That Your Clothes Need Professional Cleaning

Washing clothes at home works most of the time, but some fabrics, stains, and odors need extra care. So when is it worth bringing your clothes to a professional?

If home washing isn’t fixing the problem—or if you’re too busy to deal with delicate fabrics and stain treatments—dry cleaning can save you time and prevent damage. Here’s how to tell when it’s time for professional care:

1. Stubborn Stains Won’t Budge

You’ve scrubbed, soaked, and tried every stain remover under your sink, but that grease stain is still there. Or maybe that splash of red wine just won’t lift, no matter how many times you wash the fabric. Sound familiar?

Grease, ink, wine, coffee, and sweat stains are some of the worst offenders, especially if they’ve been through the dryer. High heat sets stains deeper, making them even harder to lift.

If a stain doesn’t come out after one wash, don’t keep scrubbing—it could damage the fabric or spread the stain further. Professional cleaners use special solvents designed to break down stubborn stains without weakening the fabric. Instead of risking discoloration or fabric wear, let an expert handle it.

2. Your Clothes Still Smell, Even After Washing

Ever washed something, pulled it out of the machine, and noticed it still smelled… off? Maybe that sweaty gym shirt, smoky jacket, or musty sweater keeps holding onto odors no matter how much detergent you use.

This happens when odors sink deep into fabric fibers—especially in thick materials like wool, denim, and padded jackets. Regular washing only cleans the surface, and some fabrics actually trap odor-causing bacteria, making the smell come back after a few wears.

Dry cleaners use deep-cleaning treatments that remove these odors at the source instead of just masking them. If you’re tired of rewashing something over and over, it’s time to let a pro refresh your clothes properly.

3. Fabric is Losing Its Shape or Texture

Have you ever pulled a favorite sweater out of the wash and realized it’s now half its original size? Or noticed that your blazer looks limp, your coat is stiff, or your dress shirt won’t sit right anymore?

Some fabrics aren’t meant for repeated machine washing and can lose their original fit over time. Wool can shrink and felt, structured fabrics like blazers and coats can lose their crisp shape, and even soft materials like cotton or silk can become rough with too much agitation.

If a piece of clothing isn’t fitting the way it used to or feels worn down, dry cleaning can restore its shape and texture. Professional cleaners use gentle techniques that refresh fibers instead of breaking them down.

4. Your Clothes Have Beads, Sequins, or Delicate Embellishments

Ever had a beaded top or sequined dress come out of the wash missing a few pieces? Or worse—completely ruined because the threads unraveled or the glue dissolved?

Anything with delicate details like beads, sequins, lace, or embroidery is risky to wash at home. The movement of a washing machine—even on a gentle cycle—can cause embellishments to loosen, tangle, or fall off completely.

And some beaded or sequined fabrics aren’t stitched together—they’re glued, which means water can dissolve the adhesive.

Dry cleaning cleans these pieces without stress on the fabric, so your fancy outfits stay intact. If you have anything with special details, don’t take the risk—leave it to a professional.

5. Some Clothes Should Never Be Machine-Washed

Ever looked at a care tag and seen “Dry Clean Only” but thought, Eh, I’ll just wash it on delicate? If so, you’re not alone.

But fabrics like wool, silk, structured suits, and formal dresses aren’t just labeled that way for fun—water, detergent, and agitation can ruin their texture, shrink them, or weaken the fabric over time.

If you own:

• A wool coat or sweater that could shrink in water
• A silk blouse that loses its smoothness when wet
• A suit or structured jacket that needs pressing to hold its shape
• A formal gown that has delicate layers

… then dry cleaning is the safest option. Instead of trying to DIY a fix, trust a process that’s designed to keep these fabrics looking their best.

6. You Don’t Have Time to Deal With Laundry Mishaps

Even if you could carefully hand-wash a delicate item, do you want to? Between work, errands, and everything else on your plate, sometimes it’s just easier to let a professional handle it.

Dry cleaning saves time, especially if you have a pile of clothes that need special treatment. Instead of stressing over stains, shrinkage, or fabric damage, you can drop off your items and pick them up looking fresh, clean, and ready to wear.

When in Doubt, Let the Experts Handle It

If you’re ever unsure about how to clean something, it’s always safer to bring it to a professional. The right cleaning method can extend the life of your clothes, keep them looking new, and save you from expensive mistakes.

Think about how much time, effort, and money you could waste trying to fix a ruined garment.

If you’re looking for a trusted professional cleaner in Sacramento, Vogue Cleaners provides expert dry cleaning and laundry services to keep your clothes in top shape.

Schedule a pickup or sign up for Vogue Valet today!