Specialist laundry still has to respect the fabric. A wool coat, a silk blouse and a cotton sheet cannot all be handled the same way, however urgent the situation. This guide explains how care labels guide specialist treatment, what happens to dry-clean-only and delicate items, and what to tell us before collection.
In brief: washable items are washed and dried as their label allows, with 60°C only where the fabric permits. Dry-clean-only and delicate items need assessment before any treatment, and unsuitable items are flagged rather than forced through.
Reading the label
The washtub symbol shows the maximum wash temperature. A crossed-out washtub means do not wash. A circle refers to professional dry cleaning. Tumble-dry symbols show whether heat drying is allowed. Our laundry symbols guide explains each one.
Washable items
Cotton bedding and many everyday clothes can take higher temperatures. Synthetics and blends may need lower temperatures and gentler drying. We adjust to the label rather than applying one temperature to everything.
Dry-clean-only and delicate items
Tell us about these before collection and bag them separately. They need assessment to decide whether specialist dry cleaning is suitable. We do not claim that dry cleaning guarantees removal of every insect or egg.
Items without labels
Missing labels mean more risk. Describe the fabric if you know it and accept that some items may be returned unprocessed if treatment could damage them.
What we will not accept
- Non-washable foam inserts and mattresses.
- Items still wet with flea or pest treatment.
- Clinical waste, pads or sharps.
Specialist laundry is available in London and across the rest of the United Kingdom, subject to postcode, textile suitability and agreed collection arrangements. Ordinary laundry and everyday dry cleaning remain London services, and London urgent-collection wording is not a national response promise.
Common questions
Will you wash everything at 60°C?
No. Only where the fabric allows.
- Bed bug laundry service and prices
- Bed bugs and dry-clean-only clothing
- Laundry symbols explained
- Separating and handling specialist loads
Published 2026-10-31 by MyLaundress team. Book a collection online