Happily reporting that I've switched from dry cleaning to hand washing (non-mouss) silks and cashmeres - it took me 7 years to trust myself (and a touch ecover/tepid water rinsed in cold). It will save me lots of money too.
Dried, rolled in a towel and then in the sunshine for hardly anytime. No ironing required. So much less afraid of my scarves now, including getting caught in a little rain (although I still wouldn't wash my Napoleons or anything earlier than 1985). Scarves are there for the using and I also feel better in control of them rather than leaving then at any dry cleaners (bar one).
I didn't get all the stains out of a vintage (2002) light coloured scarf but I don't know the history. Certainly smells better. The other scarves, all multi-coloured and various ages - perfect in less than 30 minutes. Happy me!
Sending congrats on your hand washing success, papertiger! I so prefer to hand wash whatever I can. I took a chance and washed a few coats over the weekend, with "dry clean" tags. They turned out perfectly! Things cleaned at home smell lovely, and always end up seeming cleaner, than those I've sent out. too!