Why do some tags say “Dry clean” or “Dry clean only” if the clothes can be washed?

“Dry clean” and “Dry clean only” mean the same thing, but if a garment can be washed at home, it shouldn’t say either, says Jane Rising, manager of the education department at the International Fabricare Institute. Clothing labels should indicate only essential care instructions, but some manufacturers believe dry cleaning prolongs a garment’s life and so will recommend it even if home cleaning is possible. That said, if you ignore a tag that says either, you’ll have no recourse with the manufacturer.

Why do white shirts gray after dry cleaning?

Only “poorly maintained” (read: dirty) solvent would cause this, says Rising. If your clothes are repeatedly coming back to you gray, consider another cleaner. But a onetime incident could be due to the garment’s makeup. Clothing makers sometimes apply “optical brighteners” (actually fluorescent dyes) to whites. Sunlight and regular cleanings can cause them to degrade.