Tips for Getting the Best Dry Cleaning Results
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Read the garment care label. The care instructions listed on the garment care label are invaluable in providing your dry cleaner with information on the best way to maintain your garment and keep it looking beautiful. Familarize yourself with the care instructions, and be prepared to advise your dry cleaner. Don’t assume he or she will automatically know how to clean your garment if the label is missing. - Don’t try stain removal at home. Trying to remove a stain yourself can help it set or cause harm to the fabric. Blot fresh stains gently, without rubbing, to remove the excess and prevent the stain from spreading further. Take the garment to a professional for cleaning as soon as possible, leaving a stain for long periods can result in chemical reactions that range from permanently setting the stain to fabric damage.
- Tell your dry cleaner about any stains. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Your Client Service Representative may not always see a stain before cleaning, so bring any stains to your dry cleaner’s attention when you drop off your garments. That way, they can identify the stain with a special tag and make sure it receives the correct pre-treatment.
- Be picky about quality. If your white looks gray or dingy, or your garment has a strong odor, bring it to the attention of your Client Service Representative, they should offer to re-clean the item at no charge. At Best Cleaners, we use special enzyme cleaners that ensure bright whites, and our green cleaning processes mean no unpleasant odors.
- Don’t accept a shine. When you drop off your garments, advise you Client Service Representative that you do not want a hard press. Too much heat or pressure can cause seam impressions and shine, and once the fabric is shiny it can seldom be corrected. Shiny seams are avoidable with proper care.
- Point out glass buttons. Glass buttons simply cannot be protected from breakage during regular cleaning. Point out any glass buttons to your Client Service Representative so that they can be removed prior to cleaning and reattached afterward. At Best Cleaners, removal and replacement of fragile buttons is a standard service.
8 Tips on Caring for Wool
Here are eight tips for keeping your woolens looking great year-round:
1. Allow 24 hours before you wear a wool garment a second time. This allows the fibers to rest and resume their original shape.
2. Remove light soil and dust from wool by brushing lengthwise with a garment brush after every wear.
Heavier garments with napped surfaces should be brushed regularly. If a wool garment gets damp, hang it and brush it when it has dried. 3. Hang wool garments on padded hangers with the zippers closet. Wool knits can be lightly folded and placed in drawers.
4. Empty pockets and remove jewelry, belts or other accessories from your garments when they are not being worn to keep them from being stretched out of shape.
5. Washable wools can be cleaned with a mild detergent. Do not wring the garment or hang when wet, as the fibers are easily stretched. Instead, lay the item to dry on a flat surface in an area with good air circulation.
6. Air your wool clothing before and after storage by placing the item in the sunlight.
This will destroy any odors or insect larva before you store your garment for the season, and will freshen it quickly when it is removed.
7. Always have your woolens professional dry cleaned before storage to remove food stains and body oils, which can attract larva and insects. Pack garments in airtight containers with secure lids, and use cedar (in the form of chips, chests, or lined closets) as a pleasant-smelling, natural insect repellant.
8. Be aware that briefcase straps or computer bags over the shoulder of your wool jacket can stretch the wool out of shape after time. The repetitive rubbing of these straps on a small area of fabric can also cause permanent wear and damage.
2. Remove light soil and dust from wool by brushing lengthwise with a garment brush after every wear.
Heavier garments with napped surfaces should be brushed regularly. If a wool garment gets damp, hang it and brush it when it has dried. 3. Hang wool garments on padded hangers with the zippers closet. Wool knits can be lightly folded and placed in drawers.
4. Empty pockets and remove jewelry, belts or other accessories from your garments when they are not being worn to keep them from being stretched out of shape.
5. Washable wools can be cleaned with a mild detergent. Do not wring the garment or hang when wet, as the fibers are easily stretched. Instead, lay the item to dry on a flat surface in an area with good air circulation.
6. Air your wool clothing before and after storage by placing the item in the sunlight.
This will destroy any odors or insect larva before you store your garment for the season, and will freshen it quickly when it is removed.
7. Always have your woolens professional dry cleaned before storage to remove food stains and body oils, which can attract larva and insects. Pack garments in airtight containers with secure lids, and use cedar (in the form of chips, chests, or lined closets) as a pleasant-smelling, natural insect repellant.
8. Be aware that briefcase straps or computer bags over the shoulder of your wool jacket can stretch the wool out of shape after time. The repetitive rubbing of these straps on a small area of fabric can also cause permanent wear and damage.
As with most natural fabrics, proper care will lengthen the life of your favorite wool pieces. Follow these tips to keep your wool fabrics looking great for years.
Nine Tips for Preparing Your Winter Storage
Here are nine tips for storing your winter garments:
1. Start with a clean space. Empty the closets and/or storage areas you'll be using to hold your winter clothes. Clean and vacuum to remove dirt, dust, and insects.
Check the space for mold, mildew, or insects and take steps now to eliminate these before it's time to put your clothes away.
2. If you use fabric storage bags, run them through the washer and dryer to remove dust, mold, and insect larva. Plastic containers can be cleaned with a disinfectant and left out to dry thoroughly.
3. Stock up on acid-free tissue paper or cotton sheets to line your storage containers. If your containers aren't transparent, find archival markers and labels to keep your things organized.
4. Sort through your clothing. Donate any items you didn't wear this winter, as well as kids' clothing that they will outgrow between now and then.
5. Store all clothing clean. Food stains and body oils can set permanently over time and become difficult, or impossible, to remove. Likewise, these stains can attract insects, which can cause irreparable damage. Don't use starch on items that you are planning to store, for the same reason.
6. Store sweaters and knits grouped together by material and folded neatly, as hanging them will pull them out of shape over time. Use sheets of acid-free tissue between layers to minimize wrinkles.
7. Use storage areas that are well-ventilated and maintain an even temperature. Avoid attics and garages (too hot), or damp basements (too wet).
8. Cedar, in the form of chips, blocks, or lined closets, is a natural insect repellant. It can be placed directly in storage containers to protect your clothing from larva and insects. If you don't like the cedar smell, you can place lavender in with it to counteract the smell.
9. Just like your garments, boots and shoes should be stored clean. Take winter boots and shoes to your local repair shop to have minor repairs like heel caps and shoelaces replaced. They can also professionally clean leather and suede shoes. Have your winter shoes waterproofed before storage and make sure to remove caked on dirt and road salt from your footwear, which can permanently damage your shoes. Roll newspaper or magazines, or fill an old tube sock with cat litter, and slip into your boots to keep them fresh and hold their shape.
2. If you use fabric storage bags, run them through the washer and dryer to remove dust, mold, and insect larva. Plastic containers can be cleaned with a disinfectant and left out to dry thoroughly.
3. Stock up on acid-free tissue paper or cotton sheets to line your storage containers. If your containers aren't transparent, find archival markers and labels to keep your things organized.
4. Sort through your clothing. Donate any items you didn't wear this winter, as well as kids' clothing that they will outgrow between now and then.
5. Store all clothing clean. Food stains and body oils can set permanently over time and become difficult, or impossible, to remove. Likewise, these stains can attract insects, which can cause irreparable damage. Don't use starch on items that you are planning to store, for the same reason.
6. Store sweaters and knits grouped together by material and folded neatly, as hanging them will pull them out of shape over time. Use sheets of acid-free tissue between layers to minimize wrinkles.
7. Use storage areas that are well-ventilated and maintain an even temperature. Avoid attics and garages (too hot), or damp basements (too wet).
8. Cedar, in the form of chips, blocks, or lined closets, is a natural insect repellant. It can be placed directly in storage containers to protect your clothing from larva and insects. If you don't like the cedar smell, you can place lavender in with it to counteract the smell.
9. Just like your garments, boots and shoes should be stored clean. Take winter boots and shoes to your local repair shop to have minor repairs like heel caps and shoelaces replaced. They can also professionally clean leather and suede shoes. Have your winter shoes waterproofed before storage and make sure to remove caked on dirt and road salt from your footwear, which can permanently damage your shoes. Roll newspaper or magazines, or fill an old tube sock with cat litter, and slip into your boots to keep them fresh and hold their shape.
Take the time to store your winter clothes properly now. You'll be glad you did when the first cold day hits next fall and you have a storage space full of great looking garments to choose from.
