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Dry Cleaning

Craig D Miller

2004-08-01 09:19:00

: How can I keep my expensive wor

Question: How can I keep my expensive workout clothes looking new?

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Dry Cleaning

Craig D Miller

2004-07-01 09:50:00

:  Tell me about the new Home Dry Cleaning kits. Are they a gimmick or can you really dry-clean at with them?

ANSWER:  When using a home dry cleaning kit, garments are freshened when they are placed inside the dryer with a specialized cloth, which is activated by the heat of the dryer. Usually, up to four garments can be placed in a bag (along with the dryer-activated cloth). The stain removal solution (which is dispensed from a plastic bottle) is applied directly on the stain, while the user holds an absorbent pad underneath the stained fabric.Consumers are instructed to apply the solution until the stain is no longer visible or until it is evident that the stain cannot be removed. For kits that employ only a dryer-activated cloth, consumers are advised to use the cloth to remove stains. All kits recommend removing stains before garments are placed in the dryer.In general, most of the products work well on freshening or removing odors such as smoke. Therefore, these products can be successfully used to freshen garments; for example, removing odors from sweaters after winter storage.In terms of stain removal, most of the products work well on water-based stains such as cola. Stains that are oil-based, such as ketchup and lipstick presented more of a challenge for the home dry cleaning kits. In some cases, these products may cause the stain to spread, creating a bigger stain. The products prove ineffective in removing ground-in soils, such as "ring around the collar" or dirty cuffs. When using a home dry cleaning kit, consumers should be aware of the following types of damage they could induce when using the stain removal solutions: rings, chafing, broken fibers on a loose weave, local shrinkage on crepe or water-sensitive fabrics.

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Dry Cleaning

Craig D Miller

2004-06-01 12:23:00

:  If the tag on a man's cotton dress shirt says "pre-shrunk" can it still shrink?

ANSWER:  Yes, your shirt can and probably will shrink, for a couple of reasons. It can shrink if it was improperly pre-shrunk in the first place during manufacturing. Fabrics are woven under tension. If the fabric is not adequately preshrunk before the shirt is constructed, the agitation of any laundering process can relax the fabric resulting in shrinkage. If shrinkage does not occur until the shirt has been laundered several times, it may be due to the removal of finishing agents such as sizing, starches, and stain repellents that held the fabric in place.Not only do shirts shrink, but most other items do too. Shrinkage is so common in fabrics that the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has established standards for the amount of acceptable shrinkage in all items.Typically shirt manufacturers allow for 2-3% shrinkage even on properly stabilized fabrics. This means a shirt with a 15-inch neck and a 33-inch sleeve length could shrink approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch in the neck and 1/2 to 1-inch in the sleeve. On fabrics that are improperly stabilized, shrinkage is higher, resulting in a shirt that is too small. Rule of thumb:  Plan for shrinkage; buy bigger collars and longer sleeve lengths at the store!

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Dry Cleaning

Craig D Miller

2004-05-01 08:19:00

:  Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the lifespan of my clothing?

ANSWER:  Actually, proper dry cleaning can prolong the life of your clothing. Stains set with age, can render garments unwearable; ground-in-dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing deterioration of fibers. In addition, microscopic insects are attracted to soiled clothes causing further damage. Some people mistakenly recommend spot cleaning and pressing in lieu of dry cleaning a garment. By pressing a garment before it is cleaned, unseen dirt, stains, and body oils may be permanently set. Although it's a matter of personal preference how frequently people dry clean their clothing, consumers should know they can't 'over clean' their clothes. As seasons change from one wardrobe to the next, it's a good idea to have your garments professionally dry cleaned prior to storing. Any unseen stains will be removed before they have the opportunity to "set".

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Dry Cleaning

Craig D Miller

2004-04-01 13:37:00

:  I need information in regards to cleaning and storing my suede and leather garments.  What tips or information can you provide me?

ANSWER:  This is very important since leather and/or suede garments are more than an article of clothing, they are an investment. When you purchase an item like this you intend to have it for many years to come and with that, you want it looking great year after year!First of all, read your accompanying care instructions and save them for future reference! When you take your garment to the cleaners make sure they are equipped to remove any spots or stains you may have on the item before you leave it, (If you don't tell them, they don't know). Never try to remove spots or stains yourself…this may discolor or seriously damage the leather/suede. If there are any questions about the ability to clean the garment the cleaner may ask you to sign a consent form before cleaning. Here are a few things you can expect after having your item cleaned:• Loss of color- Be prepared for a slight variance in the depth of color after cleaning. Have matching pieces cleaned at the same time.• Loss of Oils- During the cleaning process, some of the oils used in the tanning process to keep leather supple may be lost. A professional cleaner has special additives to restore suppleness, but there still may be some change in the feel of the garment.• Texture and shading changes- If textures have been mixed and matched by the manufacturer this may become more apparent after cleaning.Once the garment has been cleaned here are a few tips for storage:• Keep the garment in a cool, dry place. • Leather can dry out if exposed to dry heat or mildew if stored in a hot, humid environment.• Do not store leather/suede in a plastic bag.• If the garment does get wet, allow it to air-dry away from heat.Keep in mind; leather is an heirloom, one that can be passed down for years to come. If it is cared for properly now, it will have lasting affects for generations.

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Dry Cleaning

Craig D Miller

2004-03-01 15:26:00

: How do I preserve my wedding gown?

ANSWER:  After the wedding most brides want to preserve their dress as a keepsake, perhaps for their own daughter to wear on her wedding day. Cleaning industry experts recommend that you have the dress cleaned before storage. The dress may have invisible stains from food, beverages, and body oil. If these stains are not properly cleaned, they may become permanent. Therefore, it is important to point out any stains or spills to your cleaner before cleaning. Most wedding gowns have some decorative trim. Again, it is important to inspect these trims with your cleaner prior to cleaning. Many trims are not made to withstand the dry cleaning process. For example, many beads, glitter, sequins, and laces are attached to gowns with adhesives that dissolve during dry cleaning. Some beads and glitter are made of plastic or covered with surface coatings that are not solvent resistant. In many of these cases, the trim becomes separated from the dress or altered in some way. Some decorative trims yellow as their finish oxidizes. An ivory or ecru trim may lose its color and no longer match the gown if a dye component is lost in cleaning. Color failures of this type are due to poor colorfastness or the dye, not because or improper cleaning.  Unfortunately, no process or storage method can guarantee against yellowing or possible deterioration of fabrics. There are, however several steps you can take to protect your garment.• Have your cleaner pack the gown in a special storage box that will help prevent contamination.• Store your gown in a cool, dry place. Do not store in basement or attic. Basement dampness can cause mildew; attic heat could promote yellowing of the fabric.• If you are storing a long gown on a hanger, sew straps to the waistline of the dress to relieve pressure on the shoulders from the weight of the skirt. Wrap the dress in a protective white sheet or muslin covering.• Whether the gown is hung or boxed, the bodice should be stuffed with white acid free tissue to prevent wrinkles. Fabric covered buttons, pins, and foam padding should be removed and stored separately to avoid damage to the fabrics.• Never store headpieces, veils, shoes, or other accessories with your gown.• Inspect your gown from time to time during storage. Stains not initially apparent could appear later, and should be tended to immediately.

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Dry Cleaning

Charlie Traffas

2004-02-01 15:36:00

: What should I look for in shopping for a dry cleaner?

ANSWER: Dry-cleaners should not only clean your clothes, but also return them to you like in decent, unblemished, wearable, order. The dry-cleaning process is a science in itself. Clothes are gently and expertly cleaned and dried in equipment especially designed for that purpose. Labels are checked for proper care instructions and fiber content; spots and stains are removed with steam and spotting agents; and garments are classified according to fabric type, color, and degrees of soiling. Once an item has been cleaned, service conscious dry-cleaners replace missing buttons and perform minor repairs, whenever possible. Your clothes are inspected again, one last time. Every effort should be made to ensure your clothes look the very best. But remember, even the best dry-cleaners cannot remove some stains, prevent colors from bleeding or fading, prevent excessive shrinkage in dry-cleaning, reverse worn or torn areas, prevent or correct holes, eliminate excessive shine, or correct poor home spot-removal. Though dry-cleaners generally take care to remove most stains, you can help by pointing out when you drop your clothes off, any areas where stains are. You can save some money and grief by practicing simple clothes protection measures, beginning in stores and subsequently at home: • Take care in fabric selection. Natural fibers such as wool and silks can shrink, distort, and lose color when washed in water, but will dry-clean beautifully. Synthetic fibers such as polyesters also respond well to dry-cleaning. Soft, fluid rayon is a favorite of fashion designers. Rayon gives the look of silk at a fraction of the cost. Silk itself implies softness, elegance and luxury. Fortunately, both silk and rayon fibers dry-clean well. Washable silks have become increasingly popular, but care is still important. • Check labels. If they say dry-clean, this usually means that all clothing elements, (including the outer shell, lining, buttons, interfacing, fusing material, and trim) will be colorfast and safe with cleaning. • Allow your perfume, deodorant, and hair spray to dry before you dress. • Remove heavy perspiration as soon as possible to avoid permanent staining. Sweat contains salts that can change colors and damage fabrics, especially silk. If you perspire heavily, wear underarm shields. • Never put a garment away with spills or stains on it - blot stains and don't rub, especially on silk. • Remove stains from alcohol and sugar-based beverages fast. Some silk dyes bleed or change color when exposed to them. • Don’t attempt spot-removal without first testing for color fastness. Wet an unexposed area such as an inside seam with water or solvent to make sure the color won't run. • Test multi-colored articles for color-fastness before washing; pastels have a greater degree of color retention. • Never soak garments for extended periods of time. Be careful with alkalis such as soap, shampoo, and detergent, even toothpaste. They can cause color loss on certain items, especially those with blue or green dyes.

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Dry Cleaning

Charlie Traffas

2003-12-01 10:05:00

:  My fall clothing has yellow stains under the arms!  Is this perspiration or the antiperspirant I'm using?

ANSWER: Perspiration can cause problem stains, particularly on silk and wool garments. Perspiration left in a silk garment can eventually cause deterioration of the silk fibers.   Repeated exposure of a garment to perspiration and body oils can create a permanent yellow discoloration and an odor. In addition, perspiration can react with the dye or sizing in the fabric, making it even more difficult to remove the stain. Clothing frequently worn or heavily stained also requires frequent cleaning, especially clothes heavily soiled with perspiration.   Many people do not realize that prolonged contact with deodorants and antiperspirants may cause permanent damage. Combined with the effects of perspiration, the damage can be extensive, the most frequent caused by overuse of these products, or infrequent cleanings.   Stains are one of the main reasons people seek the help of their drycleaner. With their special solvents, equipment, and training, drycleaners can remove some of the most disastrous looking stains with relative ease. Successful stain removal depends largely on the nature of the stain, the type of fabric, and the colorfastness of the dye. Ink stains and dried paint can be impossible to remove. Also, some fabrics and dyes are not made to withstand the use of cleaning or stain removal agents.   Many stains that are caused by food, oily substances or beverages may become invisible when they dry. But later on, with exposure to heat or the passage of time, a yellow or brownish stain will appear. This is caused by the oxidation or caramelization of the sugar in the staining substance. It is the same process that makes a peeled apple turn brown after exposure to air.   When an oily substance is exposed to heat or ages in a garment for an extended time, it also oxidizes. This type of stain can be distinguished by the irregular "cross pattern" the oil makes when it follows the fabric fibers. Oily substances are successfully removed in dry cleaning unless they are left to oxidize. Once they become yellow or brown, they become much more difficult to remove.   You can help your drycleaner do a better job by pointing out such stains when you take a garment to be cleaned. You can remember to do this by marking the stain with a safety pin as soon as you notice it. The cleaner often treats these stains prior to cleaning, since the heat of drying and finishing may set the stain.