Break it to me gently

deb25 · Dec 1, 2005

I think I know the answer to this question, but I might as well ask.

Suppose some article of clothing you own just happens to have cat pee on it. Also suppose that this piece of clothing is 'dry clean only'. Is it just a goner? Or is there any way on this earth to clean it?

pushylady · Dec 1, 2005

I'd definitely take it to the dry cleaners - you don't know till you try!

squirtle · Dec 1, 2005

Deb, there is a chance the cat pee could pull the color out. I would take it to the dry cleaners and let them know ahead of time what is on the clothes and they can try to get it out. It's worth a try.

deb25 · Dec 1, 2005

Been there, done that. No go.

MoochNNoodles · Dec 1, 2005

I think dry cleaners can get most anything out...it's at least worth a try!

squirtle · Dec 1, 2005

Originally Posted by Deb25

Been there, done that. No go.

Did they refuse to clean it, or did they try?

hissy · Dec 1, 2005

Deb I will send you some stuff tomorrow okay?

deb25 · Dec 1, 2005

Originally Posted by squirtle

Did they refuse to clean it, or did they try?

I just picked it up from them tonight. I knew it still smelled like pee, and it was confirmed the second I brought it in the house and the cats were going nuts wanting to smell it.

zoe'n'misskitty · Dec 1, 2005

You may want to run it through the dryer on medium heat with about a dozen dryer sheets. That might take some of the smell out.
I've found that dry-clean only stuff can be run through the dryer with no problem.
What kind of material is it made of? I've been pretty successful with washing some "dry-clean only" skirts, jackets and pants...that usually takes odors out better than dry cleaning, if it's not made of really delicate material.

deb25 · Dec 1, 2005

If nothing else works, and I have run it through the dryer with Dryel, too, I will actually toss it in the washer.

zak&rocky · Dec 1, 2005

Originally Posted by Deb25

If nothing else works, and I have run it through the dryer with Dryel, too, I will actually toss it in the washer.

Yeah that, and I might try adding baking soda to the wash as well. I have washed some stuff that is dry clean only- the two things being stuff with a rayon mix, and a velvety material. If they are wool- I don't think it will work.

jennyr · Dec 2, 2005

As a last resort, rather than the machine, which can be harsh on anything, soak it in a biological washing powder and warm water for 48 hours. That might work if the water doesn't harm it! I did that with a precious carpet once.

malynn · Dec 2, 2005

Every now and then we wash (dry clean only) band uniforms in the washing machine. It didnt hurt them at all. We just dont put them in the dryer, we hang them to dry. We used warm water.

fwan · Dec 2, 2005

My mother use to wash my school blazer!
when it was dry clean only, she put it in the machine on very low speed, with a special detergent then put it in the dryer and then pressed it!!
it was better than what the kids had gotten done from the dry cleaners! lol

lillekat · Dec 2, 2005

dry cleaners
god bless them, they can pretty much cure everything - you'd be amazed!

turtlecat · Dec 2, 2005

Deb, what is the material. a lot of fabrics say dry clean, but can really be washed.

gailc · Dec 2, 2005

I have washed lots of dry clean only stuff too. If its a lined garment sry cleaning is recommended as sometimes the lining may shrink. In October one of the cats peed on my all wood rug by the front door. I rinsed the spot under cool water and tossed the rug in the washing machine. I have a front loader with special cycles for wool and silk. It came out fine other than the rug isn't as stiff as it used to be. But it just got peed on again -that's the way this one cat is and I washed again.
If its silk or rayon I would hand wash but soak for quite some time. And let air dry of course!!

laureen227 · Dec 2, 2005

Originally Posted by zak&rocky

Yeah that, and I might try adding baking soda to the wash as well. I have washed some stuff that is dry clean only- the two things being stuff with a rayon mix, and a velvety material. If they are wool- I don't think it will work.

i wash everything. i don't put silk in the dryer, i iron it dry. rayon needs ironing after drying because the dryer sort of 'shrinks' it. i don't own any wool. wool should do okay in cold water - which might be better for all of these, anyway. use the gentle cycle. you might try adding a pet odor remover to the water, as well. remember - even if it ends up getting ruined, you can't use it as it is now, anyway!

deb25 · Dec 2, 2005

Originally Posted by laureen227

remember - even if it ends up getting ruined, you can't use it as it is now, anyway!

That is my exact thought. I sure as heck can't wear it as is, so I might as well take a chance on washing it. I also put a lot of 'dry clean only' things in the washer.

It's a suit jacket. It says it is 96% wool and 4% lycra spandex. You could've fooled me. I wouldn't have guessed wool. I know if I got it in the washer, it would be ok if it survived the trip through the machine. This is not the first clothing item he has peed on, and the washing machine always takes care of it.

katachtig · Dec 2, 2005

I would avoid the dryer. I've had good luck with just washing wool items and laying them flat to dry but the dryer likes to shrink them.

Break it to me gently

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