Laundry day can become a prime-time soap opera, narrating a riches-to-rags story, when your highly-expensive, gorgeous dress is transformed into a tattered piece of clothing, thanks to your washing machine.

By simply accepting the fact, that some clothes are meant to be washed by professional dry cleaners, you can save yourself a lot of grief—and money.

Some clothing items require more care, than others, which is why it’s recommended that you look at the manufacturer’s guidelines, before inflicting your clothes with any kind of torture cleaning cycle.

People are often confused, as to what should be sent to the dry cleaners. We have compiled a comprehensive guideline to protect your clothes from further damage.