I can't believe I made such a rookie mistake when I was shopping at the thrift store recently.
I had been looking for a bedskirt for the guest room. One that wasn't too frilly. One that was burlap-ish in color. One that wouldn't set me back an arm and a leg.
I had been to tons of places, both thrift store and (gasp) regular retail locations and could not find a thing. Just as I was about to stop looking, I finally found this linen one at the local thrift.
And they were having a 50% off sale that day. So instead of the very thrifty $.99 original price, I only paid the super duper thrifty price of $.4950 or however that divides out. Let's just round up to two whole shiny quarters.
I get my score of the year home and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a DRY CLEAN ONLY tag.
The 50% sale had totally blinded me to rule #1 in buying linens at a thrift store. If you have to pay for dry cleaning, it is not a worth it. At all.
Dry cleaning set me back $19.99 on my 50 cent find. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
(No one can ever say I over-stage my photos, because this photo makes me think of a bedroom in a convent. And no, that silver bowl under the stand is not a chamber pot.)
BTW, I paid all that money for the dry cleaning and, after two days on the bed, it's wrinkled?
I did find this little guy for $1.91 the same day at another thrift store. So that took a little bit of my thrifting shame away. Just a little.
Do you say a big fat NO to dry clean only items from thrift stores?
Donna
I love linen. Wash and hang dry and then iron. Linen has a look that I love, and yes it does wrinkle. If you want non wrinkle then something with polyester is for you!
Maureen
So, now you know we all cheat and wash dry clean only stuff. It is still a reasonable price for what is surely real linen. The wrinkles let you know it's authentic.
Shabby chic Sandy
I wash dry clean stuff too--and if it doesn't work your only out 2 shiny quarters 🙂
Jane
I'm sure I would have missed the dry clean tag and thrown it in the washer and dryer! I'm not very observant. It looks great in your room, and you made me laugh at your convent comment. When I was in college I worked at a convent over the summers....your room looks much nicer!
Jane
Melinda
I say no to all things dry cleaning.
Sometimes you can put your washer on the gentle setting and get away with it.
You can also buy home "dry cleaning" products in the store too.
M 🙂
Anonymous
I don't know what your bedskirt is made of, but there are some fabrics that can still be laundered even though the tag says "dry clean". I have clothing that I wash without any problems in spite of the "dry clean only" instructions. Just be careful. Do some homework/research first. Frankly, I don't understand why manufacturers would make bed linens that can only be dry cleaned. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Robin
Awwww, so sorry! I'm sure I would have made the same mistake. I must still be a thrifting newbie since I don't even think to look at the tags at all. Thanks to you, I'm planning to start looking! See, your slip-up has helped a fellow thrifter learn something useful. That should take away any remaining shame you may be feeling after finding that adorable dog figure. LOL
Jennifer
Have u ever tried dryell? I use it on stuff like that that needs to be drycleaned
Heather@Tatter and Fray
I probably would have washed AND machine dried it without even noticing the tag and completely ruined it. Bravo to you for being so observant! I'm sorry you ended up spending so much, but it really looks fabulous!
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest
Love the little dog figurine!
No, I normally wash dry clean things on the gentle cycle and hang to dry. At that price I would have taken a chance on washing it in the washer - you didn't have much money invested since you got it at such a steal.
Jill
I would have tried washing it on delicate and hanging it to dry...
Blessed Serendipity
For .50 cents I would of tried to wash the dust ruffle and if it got ruined - oh well....but that's just me. It does look nice.
Danielle
AntiqueChase
I think you can wash linen?
Sandy aka Doris the Great
I buy them but wash them in cold water at home. At 50 cents, you can't really lose!
GinaE
I say NO to any dry cleaning or anything linen. While I love the look of linen, if I wear it, I look like I just rolled out of bed. If it's for a home item, it looks like it's right out of the hamper. No amount of ironing, starch or dry cleaning has ever worked for me with linen, so I just don't go there, no matter how cheap it might be.
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
I would have tried to wash it anyway. It may have shrunk a little bit. Maybe you will start a new trend "Convent Country"!