Men's suit jacket, a wardrobe essential for any formal or semi-formal occasion. Whether for a night out, a job interview, or a special event, you want your suit jacket to look sharp and stylish. But when washing and drying these delicate garments, can you put a suit jacket in the dryer?

The quick answer is no: do not put suit jackets in the dryer. The heat of the dryer can cause irreversible damage to fabrics, such as shrinking and losing shape over time. The dryer can still damage suit jackets even on a low heat setting.

This article will, therefore, explore the best ways to clean and dry a suit jacket without compromising its quality.

Why Does Dryer Heat Damage Suits?

The dryer uses hot air to dry clothes, which can cause fabrics to shrink. Over time and with repeated use, the fabric of a suit jacket may become misshapen due to stretching and shrinking from heat exposure.

Also, the dryer's high temperatures can damage the threads that hold the clothes together. It is best to avoid putting your jacket in the dryer altogether, as it can lead to irreversible damage.

Some dress jackets are lined with silk, which is an extremely delicate fabric. Silk should never be exposed to high temperatures as it can cause permanent discoloration or warping of the fabric. As such, when cleaning a suit jacket with a silk lining, you should always hang-dry it to preserve its quality.

What Is The Best Way To Clean And Dry A Suit Jacket?

The best way to clean a suit jacket is to take it to the dry cleaner. The dry cleaning process does not involve high temperatures and is gentler on delicate fabrics than washing by hand or machine.

How Dry Cleaner Works to Clean a Suit Jacket?

The dry cleaning process usually involves using an organic solvent to remove dirt and stains from garments. This process is gentler on fabric than machine or hand washing and can help to preserve the structure of a suit properly.

Pre-treatment: The first step involves pre-treating any stains or areas of dirt and grime on the garment.

Immersion: After pre-treating, the suit jacket is immersed in a cleaning solution to remove any remaining dirt or stains.

 Extraction: The suit jacket is extracted from the solution, and any excess liquid is removed from the fabric.

Drying: The suit jacket is then put in a drying machine at low temperatures to ensure that it does not shrink or become misshapen.

Finishing: After being dried, the suit jacket is pressed and steamed to restore its original shape and appearance.

Important Things You Might Remember When Dry Cleaning:

• Always read the care instructions on the suit before taking it to the dry cleaners.
• Inform your professional dry cleaner of any special instructions you may have for treating certain fibers (natural fibers/ wool fibers) or fabrics.
• Ask them to use a low heat setting when drying your suit jacket to avoid damage from high temperatures.
• Dry cleaned suit jackets or suit pants should be hung up or folded immediately after being removed from the dryer to remove wrinkles and creases.

If you don't want to take your suit jacket to the dry cleaners, you can also hand-wash it yourself at home. Always use cold water and mild detergent (such as Woolite) when washing by hand. Do not soak or scrub too hard, as this may cause damage to delicate fabrics. Gently squeeze out excess water before laying flat or hanging up on suit hangers to dry.

Other Techniques To Clean and Care for a Suit Jacket

Other than dry cleaning or hand-washing, there are other basic cleaning methods you may use to clean your suit:

Use a Lint Roller

If your suit is just slightly dusty or has some pet hair, then a lint roller can help remove the dirt without washing the garment.

Spot Cleaning

This involves dampening a clean cloth with cold water and gently dab it at any specific stains or marks from food particles on the fabric. It is important not to scrub too hard as this may damage the material and cause an irreversible stain.

Air Dry Naturally

Airing clothes naturally is best rather than using a tumble dryer. This helps to prevent shrinking and can keep the fabric of your suit in its original condition for longer.

Brushing

Using a soft-bristled suit brush or clothes brush can help lift dirt from the fabric of your suit jacket. This should be done regularly to keep your suit looking neat and free of signs of wear.

Advice to Keep Your Cleaned Suit in Pristine Condition

• Invest in a good-quality suit hanger to hang your suit jacket when it is not worn. It will help maintain the shape of the fabric and prevent wrinkles.
• Use fabric conditioner when washing or dry cleaning suits to keep them soft and smelling fresh for longer.
• Always read the care instructions on the garment before cleaning it yourself.
• Keep your costume out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dark spot to extend its life and keep its color from fading.
• Rotate your suits by wearing different ones on different days to prevent the overuse of one specific suit.
• Make a custom tailored suit for yourself instead of buying off-the-rack suits, as this will ensure the garment's perfect fit and longevity.

Caring for suits correctly will ensure they last longer and look better when wearing them. Even though it seems like a good idea to put a suit jacket in the dryer, you should avoid doing this as much as possible because it can damage fabrics. Invest in good quality hangers, lint rollers, and fabric conditioners to keep your suits looking their best.

If you are trying to figure out how to clean or care for a specific suit, feel free to ask professional dry cleaners for advice. With these tips, you'll be sure to look sharp in any setting!