Super important question (haha)
I have an RJ essentials show jacket. Online it says machine washable… the interior tag says dry clean only. Has anyone tossed one in the washing machine and it end badly?
Yes, I know it seems trivial but I’d hate to toss it in the wash then have to scramble to buy a new jacket.
I have a few RJ’s of my daughters, and all of those have a tag sewn on the inside that say Machine Washable. I have done so with no issues.
I wash both my mesh and regular RJ coat (delicate cycle in a delicates bag) after every use. No harm done so far! Lay flat to dry per instructions.
…but hang it to dry. Definitely DO NOT put it in the dryer.
So the next super important question…
fabric softener or no fabric softener.
Thanks moms! 
How old is the jacket? I have two RJ Essentials jackets. One is older and dry clean only, the other is newer and is machine washable.
A year or two old, but I believe I purchased it on clearance.
and it took me two years to show, not two years to wash it - haha!
No fabric softener. It gunks up the wicking and quick-dry properties of performance fabrics.
The RJ Essential line has been around for a while and only the newer ones are machine washable. Your jacket is not necessarily made of the same fabric of other RJ coats, even in the same line. I would never wash a coat that says dry clean only, that’s pretty solid proof you have a non washable coat.
I’d hoof it to the dry cleaners…lots cheaper than replacing in case…
My RJ “dry clean only” coat has been through the washer and it’s fine; gentle cycle, cold water.
The classic CoTH answer for dealing with “dry clean only” at home is to throw things in the dryer with a slightly damp towel on low heat for 20 minutes, but my coat was nasty and I really wanted a thorough wash for it. Summer, bah.
Sample old thread on the “how to fake dry cleaning”:
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/hunter-jumper/52679-help-cleaners-are-closed-and-my-coat-is-dirty
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