Top 7 Fabrics You Should Always Send for Professional Cleaning

(A Kuching laundry expert’s first‑hand guide)

I’ve spent the last decade rescuing everything from muddied wedding gowns to coffee‑splashed velvet jackets in our laundry workshop. While many garments survive a gentle machine cycle at home, a handful of fabrics demand specialised care if you want them to keep their colour, drape and longevity. Below are the seven culprits I see most often—plus why I refuse to let them anywhere near a domestic washer.

1. Silk

Silk fibres are exceptionally strong when dry yet lose up to 20 % of their strength when wet. Agitation and alkaline detergents cause permanent white “chafe” marks. Professional cleaners use neutral pH solutions and cool tumbling to prevent fibre stress, so that lustrous sheen stays intact.

2. Wool & Cashmere

Remember the first time you shrank a jumper? That’s keratin scales on the fibre surface locking like Velcro when exposed to heat and friction. Pros rely on low‑temperature baths, lanolin‑rich conditioners and air‑drying frames that stop garments from felting or sagging out of shape.

3. Velvet

Whether cotton or synthetic pile, velvet loves to mat down. A commercial dry‑cleaning drum spins slowly and hangs pieces in a steam cabinet, allowing the pile to “bloom” again—something a home dryer can’t replicate.

4. Suede & Soft Leather

Water stains, colour bleeding and stiffening are common DIY outcomes. Specialist cleaners apply moisture‑controlled cleaning, re‑oiling and brushing techniques. Your leather biker jacket

deserves nothing less.

5. Linen‑Blend Tailoring

Pure linen can survive a careful wash, but linen‑wool or linen‑silk blends warp easily. Professional presses use vacuum boards and heavy irons that reset linings and seams without creating a high‑gloss “shine”.

6. Delicate Lace & Beaded Fabrics

Vintage lace, kebaya labuh or evening gowns with sequins are minefields for snagging. Pros place them in mesh cages, use solvent baths and air‑dry flat, ensuring beads stay stitched and threads don’t fray.

7. Heavy Drapes & Blackout Curtains

Dust, UV fading and embedded odours need industrial machines large enough to flush contaminants without creasing. Skip the bathtub routine—send them to a curtain expert who can also re‑pleat and steam‑press to hotel standards.

What happens if you “risk it” at home?

• Colour loss from harsh detergents

• Distortion of linings and interfacings

• Residual moisture encouraging mould in thick textiles

• Abrasion that reduces garment lifespan by up to 40 %

Pro‑Tip: Bundle Specialty Items

Mixing fabrics with similar care codes (e.g., suede shoes with a velvet blazer) often earns a package discount at professional cleaners—worth asking.

Related Specialty Services We Offer

• Need spotless rugs? Our carpet care experts handle everything from Persian wool to modern synthetics.

• Got intricate drapes? Try our professional curtain cleaning service with free takedown & rehanging.

• Looking beyond laundry? Meet the home and office cleaning team that keeps your entire space spotless.