'Dry clean only'

[Orang Utan]

Do they really mean it?
I have some new cords and that's what it says on them.
They're no different from my other cords, including some that are allegedly the same brand, so why these specific instructions?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Do they really mean it?
I have some new cords and that's what it says on them.
They're no different from my other cords, including some that are allegedly the same brand, so why these specific instructions?

Something to do with the dye used on the fabric maybe?

 

[Reno]

I find it hard to believe you can't wash cords in a washing machine. I'd try it on a cold hand wash setting.

 

[Greebo]

I find it hard to believe you can't wash cords in a washing machine. I'd try it on a cold hand wash setting.

Agreed - turn inside out to protect the pile and use a dye grabber/colour catcher if you're worried about the dye coming out a bit.

 

[izz]

I've washed some dry clean only things by hand and in lukewarm water, which worked well. Surprised that they'd label a likely-oft-worn trouser as such though but then gentlemen's trousers are not my specialist subject.​

 

[Spymaster]

.... a dye grabber/colour catcher ...

Whassat then?

 

[SpookyFrank]

I get suits from charity shops and I've figured out it's cheaper to buy a new one than get the old one dry cleaned.

e2a: Well, not 'new' but you get the idea.

 

[Greebo]

Whassat then?

Look in the laundry products aisle... they trap loose dye particles, to stop strongly coloured garments leaving other things with an unwanted tint.

 

[trabuquera]

Loads of stuff which really doesn't need to be dryclean only is labelled that way: silks, synthetics, whatever.
Given the sheared-velvet composition of cords, there MIGHT be some risk that machine washing them would make them disintegrate faster, but I'm not convinced. What sort of gentleman's country trouser can't be laundered? Be brave and chuck them in a cool wash, on their own if possible - as long as they're not made of wool, they should be fine.

 

[Orang Utan]

These are cotton corduroy trousers ffs!
I think they might be fake as I bought them off ebay from Lithuania as a substitute to some trousers of the same brand that I'd bought in TK Maxx. I'd managed to get bleach on them, but couldn't find the exact trousers on their site, so resorted to eBay. They're not the same kind, or even colour.,but purport to be the same brand. They even have different washing instructions!

 

[Orang Utan]

BTW they're not "gentleman's country trousers", they're just cords.