Can I try to delicate machine wash my 80s vintage layered boned dress?
So this is 1 of the "positively Ellyn" brand beautiful dresses, with a tag that says "Dry clean only/ Union made". There are several up for sale right now too.
I took it to the dry cleaner last year, to clean and especially get rid of the slight musty smell. It came back with the exact same smell, didn't look or seem any cleaner to me... it almost seemed like they gave it right back without doing anything :( The thought of not being able to water wash stuff in general skeeves me out and I dont like it. So I was thinking, heck maybe I can put it on gentle cycle, cold, tiny bit of soap, then lay flat to dry. I have a top loading washer with an impeller, no agitator, so its a bit gentler. Maybe just this once, then find a better dry cleaner? Does anyone else have a similar dress, or thoughts?
I wish I could choose the design and print/color and get a bunch more in this same style. Maybe add straps. I LOVE the silhouette, boning/structure, having skirt layers and shape, not like the many many simple 1 layer/straight down dresses I always see for sale everywhere. The fun to twirl around in kind!
Posted Jun 3, 2026, 1:51 AM UTC