Dryel VS. Dry Cleaner's Secret: Battle of the Dry-Cleaning-At-Home Brands

Due to my job, 75 percent of my closet is "dry clean only." Needless to say, I was very excited when Dryel hit the market about eight years ago. This product promises dry cleaner results using your dryer at a remarkable savings. A few years later, a competitor appeared on the market, Dry Cleaner's Secret.

I've used both products and, predictable, found pros and cons with each. The good news is that both Dryel and Dry Cleaner's Secret can help you reduce your dry cleaning bill significantly. More than that, both make it incredibly convenient to do some of your non-dry cleaning garments. Here's an honest assessment of both, broken down by consumer interest areas.

HOW THEY WORK: Both Dryel and Dry Cleaner's Secret bring one of the main tools of professional dry cleaners to your home: steam cleaning. Damp pads of cleaning solution are in sealed envelopes. Put your clothing in the dryer, add the pad and your dryer basically steam cleans your clothes. Both products leave your clothes clean with a fresh scent. No cigarette smokes or perfume remnants remain. Clothes almost always come out without needed ironing and ready-to-wear. Dryel requires 30 minutes in the dryer; Dry Cleaner's Secret only requires 20. For best results, remove the clothes just a few minutes before the timer goes off.

CONVENIENCE: By allowing you to do dry-cleaning at home, the convenience of either product can't be overstated. You can literally pull an outfit out of the hamper, wrinkled and dirty, and 20 minutes later...you've got a fresh outfit. The convenience factor is so great that I find myself cleaning some clothes this way that don't have to be dry-cleaned. It's that easy. Dry Cleaner's Secret gets the edge on this one. You don't have to worry about the bag.