I have a double layered dress - lining 100% polyester , outer floaty bit 100% acetate.

I have managed to spill tea down the front! Was only a bit so hasn't gone through to lining thank goodness but haven't got time to get it dry cleaned ( as stated on label ) and need it for friday.

How's best to clean it?

Any advice welcomed!! :)

now.. dont ask me I wash everything dry clean or no dry clean..ha ha I usually hand wash and wrap in a towel pop in the  dryer for a few minutes then leave to dry on a hanger.

You could try sponging it off but you may end up with a water mark which would be worse... some dry cleaners do it in a day try making a few phone calls.

I would just wash the outer 'floaty' bit where the tea has been spilled!  Put it like this, you can't wear it as it is ever again, so you might as well give it a go!!  :)  :)

Ok , both options sound good! have had a little shrinking problem with the tumble dryer before so bit scared to do that with this funny material. Whats best to wash it with not to leave a mark if only doing the little patch? Washing powder or a mild hand soap?

I'd opt for the hand soap if it were me...... :)  Then put it on a hanger and drip dry it!

its the water that will leave the mark remember sometimes it best to wash the whole item than part of ..in my experience.
When I say pop in the dryer I mean for 2 mins just to dry it off a bit not to dry the whole dress .

funnily enough I have over the weekend washed my cushion covers made of silk,hand washed in a bowl rung em out, dryed them slight in the dryer and layed them flat they look super duper!!  another dry clean only item survived !!!

what type of material is it ??

Sugar what colour is the dress?

Just be aware that 100% actetate will wrinkle up like a good 'un if you wash it!! (even cold hand wash) This can be rectified by very careful ironing on a cool iron with water spray and patience!! If the iron is even slightly too hot the material starts to warp out and you get that melting nylon smell I wouldn't use a steam iron as this seems to add to the wrinkle problem. (<- that might be because I am a useless ironer!!?)

The only reason I ask the colour is, if a watermark wouldnt be noticeable this may be your less hassle free option.( to just dab clean the affected area)

Would the little 'stain devil' things be any good I wonder?? (some of them are just dry cleaning fluid)

Good Luck!!

its like a deep blue. Oh no , dont mention the words iron and shrivelling - have already melted 3 clothes on a "cool" iron!!

I think we had all better come around to yours!  :)  :)

Brilliant! I'll pop the kettle on :)

.... and get the hoover and polish out while i'm at it! ;)

> .... and get the hoover and polish out while i'm at it!

Steady on!!! One traumatic experience at a time Sugar!!! ;-)

I've just had a look on one of my little bottles of 'Stain Devil' and it says you can't use it on Acetate!

Haven't had any traumatic experiences with hoovers...yet!!

Was planning to start with something easy and work up. Although, the iron may call for something a bit stronger the tea so will root out the corkscrew! ;)

oooh it's a worry isn't it!! Better if still wet, not really sure re tea...

I know I was wearing similar design dress when on holiday and a woman knocked me and I was holding a glass of red wine!! Luckily it was a leopard-print design and I managed to get most of the outer stain out with cold water, and it seems to gave washed up ok when I got home

something at the back of my mind is saying salt water???

hope you get it sorted out!

If I'm ironing delicate things I put a clean tea towel over them and a cool iron - gives a bit of leeway with the temperature ;)

Personally, I'd just dab the bit that's got tea on it with some very dilute washing liquid for dark colours put a folded towel behind it ;) and then rinse (put it over a bowl/cup and pour cool water through it ;) ) and drip dry after pulling/smoothing into shape - or even put another folded towel behind and press with another folded towel on the top.  Floaty acetate should dry in no time :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :) :)

It worked , stain has gone and dress didn't crumple or get water marked!! yeay :)

Lol I use wet wipes for just about EVERYTHING!!!;)