How to wash a suit at home

Can you wash a suit at home?

Yes, some suits can be washed at home, but it depends on the fabric that the suit is made of and the way that the suit is constructed.

Suits made of cotton, linen or polyester blends can sometimes be hand washed or machine washed. Suits made of wool, silk or velvet, as well as any suit that has a lining, should not be hand washed or machine washed.

Regardless of the fabric, it’s important to check the suit’s care label before you do anything else. This can give you guidance on whether or not you can wash your suit at home, and what settings you may be able to use if you can.

How to determine if your suit is washable

Checking the care label is the first step in determining whether you can wash a suit at home. Clothing tags marked “dry clean” or “dry clean recommended” need special consideration. If the label says “dry clean only,” never hand wash it or put it in your washing machine. Dry clean recommendations on a care tag always mean it’s best to let professional cleaners handle your delicate suit. Here are some laundry symbols you might find on your care tags:

Suit fabrics and washability

Whether or not your suit is washable at home may depend on its fabric type. See the chart below to find your suit’s fabric type, then find out if you can wash your suit at home and discover the recommended method for washing. Always defer to the care tag instructions, especially if you’re not sure if you should wash your garment, and remember that suits with linings should be taken to the dry cleaners.

Always check your care tags for precise washing instructions

How to hand wash a suit

Washing by hand is the gentlest method and is recommended for most washable suits. Follow the steps below to learn how to spot test and prepare your suit, then wash, soak and dry your suit to help avoid damage.

• Step 1: Check your suit’s care tags, as most suits need to be dry cleaned. If you are sure your tag allows for your suit to be hand washed, proceed to the following steps.
• Step 2. Spot test: Perform a quick spot test on the suit fabric. Put a small amount of water and a drop of mild detergent (or whatever your care tag suggests) on a hidden patch of the suit, to be sure the fabric can handle it. If it can, proceed to the next steps. If it can’t, get it professionally cleaned.

• Step 3. Prepare the suit: Empty all pockets, check for any loose threads and turn the jacket and pants inside out.

• Step 4. Prepare the wash basin: Fill a basin or tub with cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent.

• Step 5. Wash the suit: Submerge the suit and gently swirl. Do not scrub, twist or wring.

• Step 6. Let soak: Soak the suit for 10 to 15 minutes, occasionally gently agitating to loosen any dirt.

• Step 7. Drain and rinse: Drain the basin and rinse the suit with clean, cold water until all detergent is removed.

• Step 8. Remove excess water: Gently press out the excess water. Never wring the suit fabric.

How to machine wash a suit

Most suits need to be dry cleaned, but if your suit’s care tag allows for machine washing, carefully follow the instructions on the care tag. The process often requires careful preparation and gentle settings. Read on to learn how to prepare and wash your suit in the washing machine, if the tag allows for it. If the tag doesn’t say, it is probably better to get it professionally dry cleaned.

Preparing your suit for the washing machine

Before you place your suit in the washing machine, check that all pockets are empty. Look for and remove any loose threads, then turn the jacket and pants inside out to help protect the outer fabric.

Lay the garments flat, fold in the sleeves, and then tightly roll them up from the bottom. Secure the folded suit with safety pins to keep it from unfolding. Then place the folded and rolled up suit in a mesh laundry bag to help prevent snagging.

Selecting the right wash cycle and settings

Make sure you’re using the correct laundry settings when washing a suit in a washing machine. Check your care tags first. Always use the delicate wash cycle, which uses cold water and a low spin speed to carefully tend to delicate fabrics that need to be handled with care.

Selecting the delicate, hand wash or wool cycle (lowest agitation) can also help prevent stretching and distortion. Cold water is recommended since hot water can shrink delicate fabrics and set in stains. Use a small amount of mild, color-safe detergent. As an extra precaution, try pretreating a hidden portion of your suit with detergent beforehand to make sure your washable suit’s fabric can handle it.

How to dry and finish a washed suit

When washing a suit at home, proper drying is critical to maintain the shape and appearance of a suit. Never use a dryer to dry a suit. The high heat of the dryer can shrink, warp or damage the suit fabric and lining.

To dry a suit, first lay the garments flat on a clean towel and gently roll them up in the towel to help remove excess water. Once you’ve removed the excess water, you can either lay the suit flat on a dry towel to air dry or hang it on a wide-shouldered hanger in a well-ventilated area.

Removing suit wrinkles

To help remove wrinkles from a suit, it’s often helpful to use a garment steamer. Steamers are not recommended for all fabric types, however, so be sure to check your garment tag first. This method tends to be much better for suit fabrics than direct ironing. If you do want to use an iron, always check care tags first to see if it’s possible, then, use low heat and place a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric to help prevent scorch marks or shine. When you’re finished, brush the suit with a clothes brush to help remove lint.

FAQs about washing suits

Washing a suit can be nerve wracking, but knowing a handful of tips can help you wash with more confidence in the process. Read on to learn how often to wash a suit, when a suit needs to be dry cleaned, how to help remove stains from suits and more.

How often should you wash a suit?

You should plan to wash a suit sparingly, typically after at least three or four wears or when it’s visibly soiled. Regular brushing, airing and spot cleaning between washes will help extend the life of your suit and help reduce the need for full washes.

Can you wash dry clean only suits?

Whether or not you can wash clothes meant for dry cleaning depends on the clothing’s care label. If the care label says “dry clean only,” this indicates that washing it at home will likely damage the fabric or construction and so the item should never be washed by hand or in a washing machine.

How do you remove stains from a suit?

You can sometimes spot clean suit stains by promptly dabbing (not rubbing) the stain with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild detergent. For tougher stains like sweat or grease, it’s best to use a specialized stain remover, but always test any stain removers or detergents on a hidden area first and check care tags. Avoid scrubbing, which can damage the fabric.

Shop Whirlpool^® Washers with the Delicate Cycle

Whirlpool^® Washers with the Delicates Cycle makes it easy to care for your finest garments at home. This specialized cycle uses an intermittent wash action, cool water and slow spin cleans your delicates to provide everything you'd expect from gentle fabric care.