Cellulose acetate may sound like something you'd find in a petri dish, but this man-made fiber actually lends its silky texture to everything from blouses to linings to lingerie. Although acetate fabrics resist wrinkles, they're quite delicate and prone to burns without proper care. A delicate touch is key to keeping your acetate and blended-acetate fabrics clean -- gentle hand-washing serves as your safest bet.

Run the garment under cold water in the sink or bathtub. Don't scrub or twist the piece -- simply let the water run through the fabric to help dilute stains.

Fill the sink or bath with clean water and add a few spoonfuls of gentle laundry detergent that doesn't contain dyes or perfumes. Dip the garment in the water, shaking it gently, then rinse it free of detergent. Repeat the process two or three times, then hold the garment over the water to drip-dry for a few minutes.

Lie the garment flat on large, absorbent towels to air-dry. Arrange the garment so that it lies in its natural shape. Place the towels in a warm, dry and airy location. You may need to change the towels and flip the garment about halfway through the drying process.