How Often Should You Dry Clean That? A Garment-by-Garment Guide
Dry Cleaning: Art, Science, and Strategy
We get it — you’re busy. You don’t want to over-clean your clothes, but you definitely don’t want to under-clean them either. And if you’ve ever asked yourself “Can I wear this again?” or “Is this dry clean only… again?” — this is for you.
Not every item needs to be cleaned after one wear. But some absolutely do.
Here’s Juliette’s curated, expert-backed guide to how often you should dry clean your wardrobe staples — and why it matters.
“Dry cleaning isn’t just about looking sharp — it’s about protecting what you love.”— Rechelle Balanzat, Founder of Juliette
Blazers & Suits
Dry Clean Every: 3–5 wears
Why: Suits absorb sweat and odors, even if you don’t notice. Regular cleaning keeps fabrics crisp and prevents permanent stains in the lining.
Juliette Tip: Air out between wears. Always dry clean the full set together to avoid color unevenness.
Dresses (Silk, Satin, Wool, etc.)
Dry Clean Every: 1–3 wears (depending on fabric and occasion)
Why: Natural fibers like silk and wool attract body oils and fragrance residue. Cocktail dresses? Clean after each event. Workwear? Every few wears is fine.
Juliette Tip: Bring a matching shawl, slip, or outerwear item so they age uniformly.
Cashmere & Wool Sweaters
Dry Clean Every: 3–5 wears
Why: These luxe fibers are prone to pilling and absorb odor. Overwashing shortens their lifespan — but under-cleaning leads to moths.
Juliette Tip: Fold them. Never hang. Store with cedar or lavender between seasons.
Pants & Trousers
Dry Clean Every: 3–4 wears
Why: They don’t touch skin directly as much as tops, but they collect city grit and stretch over time. Proper pressing restores shape and drape.
Juliette Tip: Rotate between pairs. Spot treat stains quickly.
Silk Blouses & Delicate Tops
Dry Clean Every: 1–2 wears
Why: Body oils break down silk fibers quickly. If it’s touching your skin, dry clean often — especially under the arms and collar.
Juliette Tip: Layer a camisole underneath to extend time between cleans.
Outerwear (Wool Coats, Capes, Trenches)
Dry Clean Every: Once per season, unless visibly dirty
Why: These pieces act as your protective shell. They absorb street dirt, shoulder bag friction, and pollution. A seasonal clean keeps them fresh and structured.
Juliette Tip: Always clean before long-term storage to avoid setting in stains or odors.
What You Should Never Home Wash:
Structured blazers
Pleated garments
Leather or suede anything
Embellished or sequined dresses
Vintage pieces
One at-home mistake can ruin the texture, shape, or color for good.
Preserve. Don’t Just Clean.
At Juliette, we don’t just wash your clothes — we restore them. Our process is gentle, non-toxic, and designed to extend the life of every garment, not just make it smell nice for the moment.
Whether it's your everyday silk blouse or your once-a-year velvet jumpsuit, we tailor our care to your wardrobe — piece by piece.
Time to Clean Smarter
Trust Juliette to keep your wardrobe looking as luxurious as it feels. Schedule a pickup, and we’ll take care of the rest.