Having alterations done to your favorite clothes can be nerve-wracking. You want to make sure you find a trustworthy and experienced seamstress/tailor. Here are some helpful tips for finding the right place to take your alterations and how to care for garments afterward:
- Be prepared: When meeting with your tailor or seamstress, be sure that you’re ready to try on the garment to be altered. That means bringing the correct undergarments and other items that affect the garment. You may need to bring in shoes or jewelry if they affect how the garment will lay.
- Quality Over Cost: As with most services, you may need to pay a bit more for quality. It helps to discuss price and costs before the alterations begin, so both you and your tailor or seamstress agree. It’s better to have an idea of costs up front than wait until the alterations are completed.
- Care: The care for altered garments varies depending on the level of alteration needed. For simple hem fixes and small alterations, the care level will be the same. But for major alterations and additional embellishments, your garments will require more careful cleaning and handling.
Finding a seamstress or tailor to alter your garments shouldn’t fill you with worry. With these tips, you’ll be stepping out in your altered clothes in no time!
Complete Fabric Care Guide
Every type of fabric requires a personalized care routine, which can make laundry very complicated. Here is a list of some of the most common fabrics, their qualities, and how to care for them:
Polyester – Chances are, you have quite a bit of polyester in your closet. It’s one of the most used synthetic fibers in clothing due to its wrinkle and shrink resistant qualities. Polyester can be washed in your machine at home with no issue.
Linen – Due to its breathable texture and lightweight feel, linen is a favorite for warm days. Some linen blends can be washed in your machine at home, but to keep the original look and feel of linen it should be dry-cleaned.
Silk – Luxurious as it may be, silk items take a little extra care. Some silk items have already been treated and pre-shrunk but it’s best to check the label before tossing it in the washing machine. For best results your silk items should be dry-cleaned.
Cotton – The easiest fabric you could ask for, cotton typically doesn’t call for specialized care. Because it’s one of the most popular fabrics used for clothing, most all cotton items have been pre-treated and shrunk and are ready to be washed in your washing machine.
Rayon – Similar to cotton and linen, rayon is a comfortable fabric that seems to get even cozier with wear. Since it’s made from natural fibers and prone to shrinking, rayon should be dry-cleaned or carefully hand washed.
Take the worry out of laundry day by dropping off your delicate care items with us. We guarantee a professional and timely cleaning for the most beloved pieces in your wardrobe.
We all know that wearing the right outfit can drastically increase your confidence but it can also improve your productivity! The way you dress can put you in the proper work mindset and allow you to focus better. Trends in work fashion change every year. Take a look at these 2016 trends to make it your best (and most fashionable) work year yet!
For the Ladies:
Mix it up with light fabrics and pops of color. As is the trend with spring, pastels and floral prints are always a great choice, but don’t be afraid to go a bit bolder with color and pattern. A brightly patterned blouse or dress paired with a structured neutral jacket, skirt, or trouser will be a great look for spring. And don’t forget the shoes! Step out in a bright heel with a neutral dress or choose a classic flat with gold metallic finishes for a brighter outfit.
For the Men:
While the last few years have seen a trend in close cut suits, look for them to loosen up a bit. Styles will still be tailored and cut close to the body but the looser fit will show a little less ankle and will be a bit more conservative. The cut of the suit may be a bit more conservative but this season will be the time for colorful and patterned suits to shine. Look for the trendy “new navy,” a shade of blue a bit brighter than the classic navy shade. Besides color, subtly patterned suits will be making a comeback as well.
Stay stylish throughout 2016 and trust us with your delicate care pieces. We guarantee professional and quick results every time, keeping your favorite items looking runway ready.
Holiday parties are one of the greatest parts of this season, but the cleanup afterwards is never a desirable chore. Take some stress out of your cleanup routine by tackling your table linens with our simple tips for care. And if you want to make your cleanup list even shorter, bring the table linens to us for a quick, professional clean.
Polyester: A simple fabric to care for, polyester is machine washable in cold water. If your polyester table coverings have stains, stain remover is also safe for this fabric. Polyester is also safe for dryers, on a low heat setting.
Satin: As satin is a more delicate fabric and treating stains can be more difficult. Take time to assess the stains,
Lace: The best way to clean lace is by hand washing and using a mid detergent in cold water. Avoid using force to scrub at the material as it can damage the delicate fabric. After washing your lace tablecloths don’t wring out the excess water, instead gently squeeze and press out the remaining water and air-dry only.
Linen: For delicate linens, it’s best to hand wash in warm water. Use gentle detergent or soap to keep the material intact. Do not use a chlorine based bleach to remove stains and be sure to clean quickly when stains are fresh.
These care tips will keep your favorite table linens party-ready for the years to come. And remember, for any difficult cleaning, large jobs, or delicate materials, bring your table linens in to us for a professional cleaning!
As you settle down to make your New Years resolutions does your laundry make the list? Get your resolutions off to a good start by allowing us to take care of your laundry and dry cleaning needs.
Our experienced cleaning professionals will save you the headache and time of spending a whole evening or even a weekend taking care of laundry. Our trained team specializes in delicate care, stain removal, and specialized cleaning techniques. We’ll keep your new holiday garments looking great all year round and provide you with the highest level of service.
At our facilities we will give your clothes a deeper clean with less wear than you would experience with a washing machine. We know how easy it is to lose track of garments in the wash, mixing delicate materials with hardier fabrics. We will keep your delicate and gentle care garments in pristine condition without unwanted shrinking and color fade.
Make one resolution that’s easy to keep this year. Bring us your laundry and we’ll take care of the rest!
Tis the Season for holiday parties! But what exactly does that “festive attire” mean on your invitation? Be prepared for any festive occasion with our Holiday Party Dress Code.
- Office Party- Sure, the office party is a great event to have some fun but it’s a good idea to keep in mind those attending the party with you. Keep your attire festive, but still professional. Throw in a little sparkle or bright holiday color without going overboard.
- Black Tie- This is your chance to pull out the most glamorous look in your closet! Grab your formal attire but don’t forget to add a holiday touch. Whether you add a little extra
a sparkle with cufflinks or a statement necklace, maybe
a festive tie, or even some holly in your hair, keep some seasonal colors in your outfit.
- Ugly Sweater- The only rules at these parties is to have the most outrageous attire possible. Bells, sequins, and decorative glitter will let you take home the cake for the ugliest sweater in the house.
- Causal- Casual may mean different things to different people, but this party is probably not the time to step out in your active wear. A great pair of jeans with a casual sweater will keep your outfit seasonal and stylish.
As always, when you need a professional after-party clean for your favorite festive garments, send them over to us. Happy Holidays and enjoy the parties!
It’s officially sweater weather! Start sweater season out right by taking your favorite cozy sweaters to the dry cleaner for a professional cleaning. They’ll need a fresh start after they’ve been hidden in the back of your closet!
While most synthetic blends are fine in your washing machine, extra care needs to be taken for natural fibers and fabrics. Check out our guide to proper cleaning for your favorite sweaters:
- Sheep Wool- Do you have a cozy Merino or Lambswool sweater? Heat can easily dam
age your favorite wool sweater, so leave the cleaning to the professionals! We’ve been trained to treat delicate fabrics and keep your favorite garments in perfect condition.
- Cashmere- Keep that cashmere luxurious by hand washing in cold water. Always dry the sweater on a flat surface to reduce shrinkage.
- Angora- Keep your sweater comfy for years of wear by taking it to the dry cleaner. Angora is very prone to shrinking when washed in a machine or by hand; not the fate you’d like for your sweater.
- Chenille- Your sweater will quickly lose it’s soft, silky feel when put in the washing machine. For best results, always hand wash the sweater inside out and dry on a flat surface.
Always read the care label on your sweaters before washing to keep your favorite sweaters looking runway-ready all season. And remember, when in doubt, you can bring your delicate fabrics to us for a professional clean!
During the holiday season it never seems as though we have enough time to check everything off our to-do list. Wouldn’t it be great to have a few extra hours in the day? While we can’t add any time to your day, we’d like to give you a few tips for saving time!
- Auto-paying bills: Sometimes there just isn’t a good time to sit down to pay all your bills at once. If you have regular monthly charges, sign up for an auto-pay program. Save yourself a little extra time and rest easy knowing your bills will be paid on time without any worry from you.
- Dry Cleaning Pickup and Delivery: No matter how close you may be to the cleaner, setting time aside in your schedule for dropping off and picking up items can be difficult. Here at Crest, we offer convenient pickup and delivery options for your cleaning needs. Let us handle your dry-cleaning without any added stress on you.
- Grocery Shopping at Night: Tired of fighting through the crowds to stock your pantry? Schedule your grocery shopping later in the night. You’ll be able to skip the crowds and cut down your grocery time.
- Divide and Conquer: Don’t do it all on your own! Enlist the help of family members when it comes to tackling chores. Make a list, delegate, and watch the chores get checked off in no time.
- Get Prepared: Prepare meals and meal plans early on. Dedicate a day to organize a meal plan for the coming week and prepare as much as you can in advance. Pre-cooked and frozen homemade meals can save quite a bit of time during busy days.
Finding free time during the holiday season can be difficult but these tips are sure to save you a few minutes for yourself.
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| As the saying goes, “Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about dancing in the rain.” Although this quote may have a more metaphorical message, we think everyone SHOULD take an opportunity to literally dance in the rain. This means, you may need to pull out that raincoat from the back of the closet to be cleaned.
Even if your coat only sees the outdoors on rainy days, it should still have the same level of cleaning care as your favorite items. Gone are the days of drab raincoats, now there are an endless variety of bright styles in an array of fabrics, allowing your raincoat to play a more stylish role in your wardrobe. Here are a few of the fabric trends in outwear from the past few years and the specialized care they require:
- Brushed Cotton: This type of fabric is used to create softer, less bulky looks for outerwear. While it contributes to a more stylish look, it can also show wear quickly. Washing brushed cotton in a traditional washing machine can speed wear and tear and make your outerwear garments look older more quickly.
- Water Repellant Finishes: Most rainwear has varying degrees of water repellant finish to keep you dry and cozy in wet weather. When exposed to traditional washing techniques this finish can break down and crack, making your trusty rain jacket less reliable.
- Decorative Trims: As rainwear has become more stylish, designers have begun adding decorative trims to garments. It can be difficult to achieve a full cleaning of your outerwear pieces without damaging the trim in a washing machine. Save yourself the time of hand washing your rain jacket and drop it by the dry cleaners.
Dry cleaning will keep your raincoat looking spotless during both the rain and shine. Our specialized processes keep the unique fabric of your jacket in its best condition while providing the highest quality clean possible. So stay dry during rainy days and keep your rain jackets looking like new for years to come. |
Moving to a new city? There is always a laundry list of things to get done after your move but we think your laundry shouldn’t be on that list. Here are 5 things we think you should look for in a dry cleaner.
- Customer Service: Look for a company that puts you first! Customer care plays a major role in your satisfaction of a company. We will always work to make you feel valued because we know that great customer service starts with upheld promises.
- Green Dry Cleaning: Find a company that cares for the environment. Eco-friendly dry cleaning services are important not only for keeping our environment clean but also for providing you with a safe and residue free clean for your garments.
- Expertise: We understand that your clothing is important to you and it takes trust to leave the cleaning to us. Choose a company that has years of experience under their belt and trained professionals that understand every detail of the dry cleaning process. We offer many other convenient services, including wedding dress restoration and specialized alteration services in addition to dry cleaning, to provide you with well-rounded expertise.
- Convenience: Does your dry cleaner offer free pickup and delivery? We think that your dry cleaning shouldn’t be a worry. Pickup and delivery are a just a small fraction of the convenient services we offer, making dry-cleaning a stress free process for you.
- Quality of Work: Choose a cleaner that takes care in cleaning your garments. Your clothes should come back feeling and smelling fresh and ready to wear, without any residue or chemical odors. We suggest using a test garment when trying a new cleaner to be certain the garment is cleaned to your standards.
Whether you’re moving or just haven’t found a preferred dry cleaning service yet, use these tips to find the best cleaner for your needs. Happy searching!
Why choose Crest Advanced Dry Cleaners?
