Let's get straight to it — here's what actually matters on this one.

• Most structured suits (wool, wool-blend) should be dry cleaned — machine washing can warp the internal canvas and padding that give a suit its shape.
• Over-dry-cleaning also has a cost — the solvents used can gradually dry out and weaken fabric fibers if done too frequently.
• Spot-clean minor marks and air out suits between wears rather than dry cleaning after every single use.
• Unstructured, fully cotton or linen suits sometimes tolerate gentle hand washing — check the care label rather than assuming all suits need dry cleaning.

The fit-and-fabric-health takeaway: Getting suit care right protects the structural fit that tailoring created — the wrong cleaning method can undo careful tailoring in a single wash.

Next up: check out our guide on how to make your shirts last longer without fading.