Cashmere and wools are actually better washed by hand than at the dry cleaners, this again according to the Laundress. The reason being is that harsh solvents and detergents used by dry cleaners will degrade the fabric. Instead, wash cashmere and wool items at home in cool water, as warm water will cause shrinkage.
Also, since wool and cashmere are heavier fabrics, hand-wash only one or two items at a time. Use wool-safe detergent, like Woolite, and gently agitate the item in soapy water, rinse until the water runs clear, press out excess water, and then lay flat to dry. Don't be concerned if color bleeds into the water either; that's just the yarn releasing excess dye. The Laundress explains that this loss of color won't be noticeable once dry.
For many garments, if the tag says dry clean, it's generally okay to treat them at home by hand, according to Press Cleaners. Certain fabrics and designs though are truly "dry clean only,", such as suede and viscose, as well as garments with pleats and structured parts like shoulder pads. It really comes down to paying attention to what the laundry tag says in order to avoid common mistakes when hand-washing clothes at home. Be sure to find out the material type and check this information against some basic do's and don'ts.
