If a care tag says "dry clean only," you should usually follow it and only dry clean the item; if going against guidance, ...

or powdered detergent damages the fabric and makes it unable to clean like normal. For the best results, wash microfiber cloths alone. Adding cotton items to the wash cycle clogs the microfiber.

In response to a reader who has noticed more and more dry-clean-only labels on clothing, our critic explains why they are increasing and how to properly wash clothes. By Vanessa Friedman I love ...

rather than delicate fabrics like wool and silk, to prevent damaging the materials, according to Arya. When should you use hot water versus cold? You should clean most machine-washable clothing ...