Choosing the correct method of cleaning and maintenance can prolong life, quality of favorite textiles and wearing apparel. Not all colored fabrics are created equally. Although color performance has improved with modern technology, failures may still occur. Here are some things that you have to be aware of.
Each producer is required to attach a label to the finished product with recommendations on cleaning and maintenance of wearing apparel / textile products. That care label is intended to provide both consumers and garment care specialists guidance on how to care for a garment. The best way for manufacturers to determine care procedures is through testing. Unfortunately, this is not always done, and sometimes can mean less than satisfactory cleaning results.
Here are some tips to ensure the fabric texture and best color performance, if you clean the garments at home:
If a different care method is undertaken, there is some risk. We may, at times, suggest an alternative method based upon our knowledge, skill or the type of soil or stains on the garment. You can always request a different care method. Either way we will carefully consider all options and advise you before beginning any requested process and may ask that you sign a release from responsibility form.
All garments must have a care label. An appropriate care label must also be made available when purchasing fabric that will be used for clothing. Removing that care label entails some risk since care information or warnings are no longer available.
If a garment is damaged or ruined at home even though care instructions were followed, you should return the garment to the retailer.
We successfully launder hundreds of shirts every day. And we are very good at it. Whether your shirts are store bought, custom-made, expensive or inexpensive, the problems identified and explained are those encountered from time to time.
I can’t wear my favorite shirt anymore. Studies tell us that the average life expectancy of a shirt is about 35-50 washes, or roughly two years. But even this will fluctuate depending on the amount of abrasion and strain placed on the shirt during wear, the fiber content and how the shirt is constructed. Sometimes they simply wear out.
It’s a brand new shirt and the color has run all over it. You must have washed it wrong. The care labeling rules states that all components in a garment must withstand the recommended care procedures. If one or more dyes in a multi-colored shirt are not colorfast, bleeding will occur whether you wash it at home or we launder it for you. Significant dye failure is attributable to poor manufacturing and should be returned to the retailer.
The collar and cuffs are full of wrinkles. Puckering and excess fabric in the collar and cuffs is often resulting of the interfacing shrinking leaving an overabundance of outer fabric. We can’t reverse this circumstance. The manufacturer is responsible for using interfacing that is compatible with the shirt fabric.
What happened to my pinstripes? At first glance it may look like color loss from bleach, yet a close examination will reveal that only the colored pinstripe yarns are missing, leaving a skeletal framework of the white yarns. Here’s why: the colored yarns were dyed with fiber-reactive of sulfur –based dyes that degrade with repeated laundering. As the shirt nears its life expectancy, the colored yarns can simply wash away.
Why are the underarm stains still there? Most damage in the underarm area is directly related to consumer use. Perspiration, if allowed to stay in a shirt, will eventually stain and weaken the fabric. Aluminum chlorides, a key ingredient found in antiperspirants, also weaken the area under arms. Frequent laundering after wear may minimize this type of damage.
Alkaline substances – Cleaning products, toothpaste, soap, detergents, shampoo, and skin preparations can also cause problems that may not appear until the stained area has aged or the item is exposed to heat during a cleaning process.
Salt – Perspiration, beverages and food, medicine, even wintry street gutter splash or snow removal slush can result in a change in color on wool fabrics.
Hair preparations – Permanent wave solution or other hair care products can result in a change of color. This type of staining is easily recognized by the location in the neckline, shoulder, or back of a garment.
We attempt to remove stains in accordance with professional practices. However, not all stains can be removed despite our best efforts. This usually means that:
The more information you provide and the sooner you give it to us, the greater the chance of satisfactory stain removal.
Whether it’s a new or well-worn, treasured garment, everyone hates to stain their clothing. We understand, and will always use our best efforts to make stains go away. Sometimes it’s pretty easy – sometimes not. Either way, we have the professional expertise to do the job.
Successful stain removal depends largely on the nature of the stain, the type of fabric, and the colorfastness of the dye. Some fabrics and dyes simply not withstand the use of cleaning or stain removal agents. Some stains, like ink and dried paint for example, can be impossible to remove.
“Miracle” stain removers – guaranteed to remove stains – are pretty much just that. It would be a miracle if they did the job.
Bring a stained garment to us as soon as possible to prevent the stain from setting.
Show us the location of stain (so called invisible stains) and tell us any removal procedures you may have attempted before turning to us for help.
Never put a garment away for the season without if being cleaned. Every year see garments that weren’t dirty “when I put it away for the summer”, only to be taken out in the fall full of little holes and stains. The smallest unseen food crumb or spillage invites insect damage.
Don’t iron stained or soiled clothes trying to get just one more wearing out of them. Ironing dirty clothes will set stains and drive soil deeper into the fabric. Not good.
If yo must do something before we get it
Never rub a stain. Blot the stain area. This may help remove some of the staining substance while avoiding damage to the fabric.
But it wasn’t stained when I brought it in
Some stains caused by beverages, food, or oily substances may not be visible after they dry. But later, with exposure to heat or simply the passage of time, a yellow or brownish stain will appear. This is the end result of oxidation or caramelization of sugar or sweetening agents. It is the same process that makes a peeled apple turn brown after exposure to air.
If we don’t know about if we can’t fix it, so let us know if you spilled something.
White turns yellow
This problem arises when white and pastel fabrics begin to yellow. When this happens, a little investigative work typically reveals a manufacturer defect in the optical or fluorescent whitening agent applied to the fabric. When this agent begins to break down as the result of exposure to light, atmospheric gases, or dry cleaning or washing solutions, yellowing results. The problem cannot be corrected and can only be prevented by the manufacturer using stable brighteners.
Consumer related sources of discoloration
Perspiration – Body oils, antiperspirants, or perspiration left long enough on silk and wool garments will weaken the fabric. Frequently cleaning clothes heavily soiled with perspiration can lessen the likelihood of a problem.
Acids – Perspiration, deodorant, antiperspirant, even “all natural organic” products, fruit juice, or hair preparations can cause a change or loss of color along with weakening the fabric.
Alcohol – Perfume, cologne, skin freshener, aftershave, hair spray, medicine, and adult beverages can cause permanent stains or color loss.
Bleach – Home bleach, hair care products, disinfectant, skin lotion, acne preparations, whitening toothpaste, medicine, cleaning products, office supplies, and other such items can cause a change or loss of color or fabric weakening depending on the dye fabric.
White IS a color
Most people do not think of white as a color, but it is. It is not uncommon for white fabrics to be treated with an optical brightener during manufacture to further enhance their whiteness.
Some brightening agents are unstable and may lose their whitening ability when exposed to sun or artificial light. Normal aging, oxidation, and exposure to atmospheric soils of whites are the most common causes of yellowing. The results from aging, oxidation or other circumstances sometimes can be reversed by professional cleaning processes using optical brighteners.
Leather looks good and you look good wearing it. To keep it that way, clean it every year. If stains occur, bring it to us as soon as possible. DO NOT try to remove spots yourself.
To keep your leather looking its best between cleanings
Our professionals, who have a wide and varied practice expertise, will get the best results for you. Our recommendation when you bring suede to dry cleaning:
To extend life and maintain the quality of your leather and suede call our professional services.
Our business depends upon keeping your clothing looking its best. Yet misinformation continually creeps into media reports. Here are the facts regarding the most frequent areas of misinformation.
Fiction – Dry cleaning wears out clothes. It’s better to clean infrequently.
Fact – Regular visits to our business keeps garments looking fresh and extends their useful life.
Spots and stains allowed to remain without treatment will gradually oxidize, set, and become permanent. We are trained and equipped to deal with stains, and if anyone can safely remove them, we can.
Don’t iron stained or solid clothes trying to get just one more wearing out of them. Ironing dirty clothes will set stains and drive soil deeper into the fabric. Not good.
Never put a garment away with a stain on. Stains containing sugar and even small amounts of any food are a tasty treat for insects, leading to holes from eaten fabrics. Also, putting clothes away without cleaning them almost guarantees some discoloration or oxidation of stains.
Dry cleaning will remove perspiration and body oil. That’s a good thing because these two elements contribute to stains and fabric degradation – and will eventually produce a lingering odor if left untreated.
Fiction – Pricing discriminates against women.
Fact – Prices are based on our costs of doing business without regard to gender, race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, or sexual orientation, of the person who owns or wears the garment.
Fiction – All stains can be removed.
Fact – No, they can’t.
Whether it’s a new garment or a treasured, well-worn garment, everyone hates it when they spill something on their clothing. We understand, and will always use our best efforts to make that accident go away. Sometimes it’s pretty easy – sometimes not. Either way, we have the professional expertise to do the job.
Successful stain remover depends largely on the nature of the stain, the type of fabric, and the colorfastness of the dye. Some fabrics and dyes simply will not withstand the use of cleaning or stain removal agents. Some stains, like ink and dried paint for example, can be impossible to remove.
Fiction – Care labels are always correct.
Fact – no. Most manufactures never test garments before the required care label is attached.
Understanding and following care labels instructions is almost an art – requiring a combination of knowledge of care symbols, instructions, and practical experience.
Care Label Rules does not require testing before care instructions are assigned to a garment – only that a manufacturer has a ‘reasonable basis’ for their care instructions. We always attempt to alert our customers to a potential problem beforehand.
Fiction – The damage is your fault because it was just fine when I brought it in.
Fact – We strive for error free operation, but mistakes can happen. When we’re wrong we will make it right.
Statistics from the International Textile Analysis Laboratory (ITAL) demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of problems are the result of improper care instructions or damage that is not readily visible. We sometimes rely upon a determination from ITAL to resolve where responsibility should be placed.
Whether your work surroundings call for appropriate casual or traditional attire, we know that how you look does matter. That’s one of the reasons we work hard for you and all that you wear.