Dryel vs. Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret: Which One Works?

on July 31, 2010 at 1:00 PM

Dryel Home dry cleaning products have completely revolutionized my closet.

I've heard women swear by them for years, but it took me a while to finally try them. When I did, I was hooked. I hardly ever use a dry cleaner now, and I'm able to buy far more 'dry clean only' pieces, because I don't have to factor outrageous dry cleaning prices into my decision.

If you've never used a home dry cleaning product before, it's super easy. They come with a spot treating fluid that you use first to eliminate spots and stains. Next, you put your clothes in the dryer- Dryel provides a dryer bag, Woolite's Dry Cleaner's Secret is a bagless system. Both include a damp cloth that you put in with your clothes in order to "steam clean" them.

But in my experience, one of these products works and the other one totally doesn't.

Want to find out which one I recommend?

Read on!

Dryel I tried Dryel first and was very surprised to find that 1) the spot treating liquid got stains and grease spots right out of my dry clean only clothes and 2) they came out pill-free and looking dry cleaned. The only down side to Dryel is that the scent reminds me of Swiffer's scent- and frankly, I don't like to smell like a cleaning product. But I'm saving so much money on dry cleaning bills that I'm sticking with it.

Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret I tried Woolite's Dry Cleaners Secret, which has much the same home dry cleaning steps as Dryel, except that it doesn't come with a bag for your clothes. I found that the spot treater didn't get out a single spot on any item of clothing I used it on -- and the spots were very ordinary, run of the mill spots! Also, I don't really like putting my dry clean only clothes in the dryer without a protective bag.

So for me, Dryel it is! Hands down.

I'd love to know what your thoughts are on home dry cleaning, and if you love it as much as I do. If I have a really nice piece or something that needs pressing, I still take it into the dry cleaners, but all my knit and silk dry clean pieces now get the home treatment!

Images via Dryel.com and DryCleanersSecret.com

Filed Under: bargains, clothes

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Comments (9)

cleanaturalady

on Jul 31, 2010 at 1:43 PM

I have tried the Dryel as well and the scent turned me off. I wish they had a fragrance free one or at least something like lavender.

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sodapple

on Jul 31, 2010 at 3:09 PM

i didn't even know they had at home dry cleaning products. thanks!

Nonmember comment from Anna

on Jul 31, 2010 at 4:54 PM

I love the dryel! I was so nervous to try it, that it sat in my laundry room for months. When I finally tried it, I was hooked - That stuff is magical :) I don't mind the smell - It fades after a while.

TKsMommie

on Jul 31, 2010 at 5:00 PM

I love the dryel too! I'm not crazy about the smell either but it does fade, so its not too bad!! Really just an awesome, awesome product!

Nonmember comment from Grace

on Jul 31, 2010 at 6:50 PM

I don't like the smell either. Anyone tried to use the dryel bag with woolite sheet? Will that be better than woolite only?

Facebook comment from Russ Baich

on Jul 31, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Oh my, I hate to break it to you, but the reason they are adding the "scent" is that this is the only way to make you think you have done any cleaning whatsoever. Other than the rare spot removal, the process is only tumbling your clothes in heat, for goodness sakes. It does nothing to "clean" your clothes. Call the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute if you want real facts.

LindsayFerrier

on Aug 1, 2010 at 7:39 PM

Well, the spot cleaning fluid gets the stains out of my dry clean only pieces and the steam dryer gets out the wrinkles, so that's good enough for me! If I have serious smell or stain issues, I send pieces on to the dry cleaner, but now it's once every few months instead of once a week. TOTAL WIN.

But yes, ladies! Let's hope Dryel reads this and adds some SCENT OPTIONS. PLEASEEEEE.