It comes to delicate fabrics dry-clean-only clothingIt can be difficult to wash your favorite clothes. Even if you have stains or marks on your clothes, picking them up at the dry cleaner can take some time.

Depending on the chemicals in dry cleaners, such as perc, they can cause allergic reactions that range from skin irritation to respiratory problems.

These chemicals can also strip the natural oils out of yarn, making sweaters look duller and thinner. Cleaning your favorite sweater dress, or down comforter, doesn’t need to be a hassle. It doesn’t even have to cost a lot.

Did you know that blouses for women are twice as expensive to dry clean as button-down shirts for men? Using a few tricks of laundry trade, it is possible to wash difficult-to-clean items at home for less.

Here are some tips to help you clean delicate clothes at your home.

* For delicate items that are machine washable, use a mesh bag designed for laundry. Mesh bags protect delicate fabrics, such as bras and lingerie. To reduce irritation, place clothing on its side and use the shortest and gentlest possible cycle.

* For dry-clean-only clothing, use an at-home product like Dryel (www.dryel.com. Dryel works well with sweaters and dark jeans that are susceptible to stretching, as it uses a protection bag along with a cloth. It is also a cost-saving option for cumbersome items such as throw pillows, bedding, and curtains.

* Hand wash clothing in cold water with mild detergent. After you are sure that the colors will not bleed use spot remover and gently scrub with your fingers. You can wash cotton, cashmere, and polyester fabrics by hand. However, you shouldn’t wash silk, velvet, and taffeta fabric by hand.

* Unless using a dry cleaning kit (like Dryel), skip the dryer. Too much heat can damage accents, embroidery, and fibers. Lay the garment flat on a white towel and dry it. This will prevent discoloration. If you hand-washed the garment, use a towel to gently remove any water. Dry it on a flat surface. To dry delicate clothing, roll it between towels.

Hanging wet fabric on racks and in closets can cause it to stretch or lose its shape.