We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, the world of dry cleaning is shrouded in mystery and this leads to all kinds of misinformation on what goes into the process and what things need to be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is an absolute must for certain fabrics and highly recommended for others, but if you’re the type that enjoys doing your own laundry, then what can you handle at home?
Garments made from materials like polyester, nylon, spandex, acrylic, and acetate aren’t in danger from a domestic washer, though the dryer might cause problems if it’s too hot. Giving these clothes a long, low dry is the way to go if you can’t hang dry them.
Painted Fabrics
Whether it’s a hand crafted piece you bought from an artisan or that college intramural shirt you just can’t part with, caring for painted fabrics can be confusing. Because their designs are delicate, many think these garments must be dry cleaned. Similar to our advice on synthetic clothes, beware heat and hang dry whenever possible to preserve the painted designs.
Knit Fabrics
In addition to linens, knit fabrics common in sweaters are another fabrication that folks highly recommend taking the cleaners. Depending on the quality of the garment, though, your cozy sweater may be able to stay at home. They aren’t without their own special care and can’t be treated the same as your jeans or pajamas. Due to this extra care, many find it worth it to bring their sweaters to their local cleaners anyway.
You Should Dry Clean These Fabrics & Garments
Delicate or Speciality Fabric
These materials include things like silk, velvet, wool, and leather. Upscale fabrics— such as chiffon, velvet, and merino wool – should also be brought to a professional cleaning service to preserve their natural luster and form. These are perhaps the fabrics that make most people go, “uhhh…” so it’s just common sense to bring them to your local dry cleaner.
Anything you want to keep its form and color quality
Lastly, anything you want help in making it last should be brought to the cleaners. Expensive professional attire is just one example, but maybe you have a favorite casual shirt that you wear on repeat that we could help with. While everything we listed in that first section doesn’t need to be dry cleaned, it doesn’t mean it can’t be dry cleaned or that other laundry services at your local cleaners would be helpful to you. If you want the best possible care for your garment to increase its longevity, bring it in. Or, if the care instructions on the tag have you feeling overwhelmed, we’d be happy to handle the laundry.
The world behind the dry cleaner’s counter is a mystery to most. This leads to not-entirely-accurate information being spread about dry cleaning. The dangerous part is many of these misconceptions can actually damage your clothes. To help protect your wardrobe, don’t fall victim to believing these misconceptions.
1. Dry Cleaners Don’t Use Liquids
As we’ve said before, it’s called ‘dry cleaning’ because there is an absence of water. However, the cleaning solvent is still liquid. This solvent is often a petroleum-based liquid, perchloroethylene, which dry cleaners refer to as ‘Perc.’ It is a popular option, but we at Crest Advanced Dry Cleaners don’t use that human carcinogen, and instead use our EcoTech System to maintain your clothes.
2. Use Club Soda Instead – It’s Cheaper!
Club soda may be touted as a miracle hack for treating serious clothing stains at home, but it is in no way a substitute for your local dry cleaners. In many cases, it can often make a stain worse. If you encounter a stain, gently dab the excess away and bring the item in to the cleaner as soon as possible. Let them know what happened and they will be able to help.
3. Store Your Clothes in the Bag from the Cleaners
This isn’t necessary. The bag is just to protect your clothes on the trip back to your closet, whether you’re picking them up or having them delivered. Your clothes will come back clean and dry, but the bag may trap residual heat, making the air humid and hostile towards certain garments. Our bags are not meant for long-term storage.
4. Only Clothes Labeled “Dry Clean Only” Should Go to The Cleaners
While your local cleaner may have specialized processes for those clothes that should not go in a domestic drying machine, many offer services for your other clothes. Any garment that you want to last and maintain its quality should be taken to your cleaners.
5. Wait as Long as Possible Before Taking Your Clothes to The Dry Cleaners
This misconception stems from the idea that dry cleaning actually harms your clothes and that it should not be done as frequently as you do your own washing at home. This assumption is false and prolonging the time in between visits can be a costly mistake. Waiting to take your clothes in means wearing them multiple times. This can compound stains and smells that latch onto your clothes, making them more difficult to get out, even at the hands of an expert cleaner. Don’t wait to take your clothes to the cleaners.
There are many bits of common knowledge about dry cleaners that stem from misplaced assumptions. Don’t fall into believing them or your clothes could suffer. Trust your local dry cleaner to help your clothes last and keep you looking smart.
A beautifully organized closet!
Enlist a reputable dry-cleaning company for seasonal closet items
When you look at your closet, you may notice a lot of seasonal items that are just taking up space. Make a list of those items, and when the season is over, take them to the dry cleaner to have them cleaned and preserved until the weather shifts again. Coats, comforters, spring dresses or light suits, and other items all fall into this category.
Have a designated area in your closet for the seasonal swap of closet items, so they always have an organized place to go. If you want to be sure that you’re prepared in case the weather makes a sudden shift, keep one item handy like an all-purpose coat.
Go through your closet and donate (or sell) what you don’t wear
Now comes the hard part. Go through your closet and decide what you wear and what you don’t. You can donate these items to charity or sell them at consignment shops or online. As you’re going through each piece of clothing ask yourself questions like, does it fit? Do I want to wear it again? And so on. Also, if there are pieces in your closet that you want to keep but won’t be wearing again such as a wedding dress, take these to the dry cleaners and have them preserved for safe keeping.
Make the most of your space
We’ve already discussed having a designated space for swapping out seasonal items, and now it’s time to find a home for all pieces that remain in the closet throughout the year. Before you get started, make sure you remove everything from the closet. Measure your closet space if you’re trying to fit shelving in it, and tailor all bins, shelving, and baskets to fit your specific area and needs. Fold and hang everything in a way that takes up the least amount of space, but also leaves them accessible.
Consider signing up for home delivery for special care items
There are certain clothes that you don’t mind fading and wearing out faster than other pieces. And then there is clothing like professional attire, formal wear, and special care items that demand more attention to ensure the integrity stays intact. Make this the year that you sign up for home delivery dry cleaning service, so these don’t take up any extra time. All you need to do is have your clothes picked up, professionally cleaned, and delivered, then you can quickly put them away in your organized closet when they arrive at your doorstep!
Want a little help organizing your closet (and keeping it that way)? Let the experts at Crest Advanced Dry Cleaners help! Call today at 1-888-714-0070 or fill out our quick contact form to learn more.
Are you prepared for the frigid temperatures of winter? One of the main things you need to do when preparing for winter is to get the proper attire. Without a good jacket, you will find it nearly impossible to fight off the cold that is common during this time of year. The team atCrest Cleaners can help you get your jacket clean and in good shape before the chillier weather moves in. Below are some of the things that you will need to do when trying to get your jacket clean and ready to use for the winter.
Read the Label Inside of the Coat
The main thing that you will need to do when attempting to get your jacket properly cleaned is to check the label on the collar. Generally, this collar will feature a variety of instructions regarding how to wash and stain treat the coat in question. Getting to know what thevarious symbols on clothing tags mean is important when trying to care for a jacket the right way. Be careful to interpret the tag correctly, or you could end up with a shrunken or ripped jacket.
Getting Down Filled Jackets
Among the most popular and effective ways to stay warm during the winter months is by purchasing a down-filled jacket. When the time comes to clean this type of jacket, you will need to be very careful to avoid damaging the garment. Be sure to remove the hood of the jacket and empty the pockets before the cleaning process begins.
You will need to stain treat the jacket before you wash it. Once you have stain treated the down jacket, be sure to flip it inside out before washing it in cold water. You may want to purchase a garment bag for this project to avoid snags and leaking feathers.
Properly Caring for Wool Jackets
Another very popular coat material used by people trying to stay warm during winter is wool. While wool jackets are very aesthetically appealing, it can be a bit difficult to keep them clean, lending themselves to snags and stains. Usually, the only way you will be able to get a wool coat clean is by either hand washing it or putting it in a very gentle cycle in your washing machine. Wool is a very absorbent material and could soak up colors from other articles of laundry, so be sure to wash this jacket by itself. Avoid shrinkage and static by avoiding the dryer.
Most jackets are quite expensive, which is why taking proper precaution when it comes to cleaning them is important. Getting guidance from the team at Crest Cleaners regarding how to properly care for a coat will help you to keep it damage free for years to come. Crest Cleaners has the equipment and the knowledge needed to get clothes and jackets immaculately clean.
Are you ready to deck the halls this holiday season? For most people, the holidays are a time when they flex their creative muscle to put on great parties for their friends and families. Whether you are throwing your holiday extravaganza in a large home or small apartment, you will need to take the time to plot out your event in order to achieve a high level of success. The last thing you want is to have your guests looking bored at your event, which is why you will need to consider the following tips when trying to prep your living space for a holiday party.
Great Tips for Apartment Dwellers
Having a holiday party in a smaller space may be a bit challenging, but well worth the effort invested. The main thing that you need to think about when throwing a party in a smaller apartment is having plenty of activities planned out.
Having a holiday-themed adult beverage for your guests is vital. By supplying adult beverages, you will be able to get everyone in on holiday drinking games. The “Santa’s Hat” drinking game is one of the easiest and most enjoyable adult themed activities you can participate in. Simply put on a holiday-themed movie on the television and each time a person is seen wearing a Santa hat in the movie, you and your guests will take a drink.
Since an apartment is drastically smaller than an actual home, you will have to get creative when it comes to decorations. One of the best ways to get everyone in the holiday spirit as soon as they approach your apartment is by getting a door dressing. There are thousands of different holiday door clings out there, which will give you the opportunity to create a customized look for your apartment’s front door.
Holiday Party Tips for Homeowners
If you are a homeowner, you will have a bit more freedom when it comes to decorating for a holiday party. The first thing you will need to do when trying to throw a great holiday themed party at your home is selecting the theme. Whether it is cute snowmen or traditional Santa décor, choosing a theme is the best way to make the party planning phase easier.
One of the staples of holiday décor are holly trees. Usually, you will be able to find artificial holly trees at your local home improvement stores. With a few artificial holly trees and some snow in a can, you will be able to transform your home into a winter wonderland in no time at all. You will also need to focus on the food and drinks you will serve during your party. Having little treats like sausage or eggnog is a great way to keep your guests full of the holiday spirit.
If you get a stain on your best Christmas sweater, call on the team at Crest Cleaners to help. The concierge service offered by Crest Cleaners will take all of the stress out of getting your clothing dry cleaned after a wild holiday party.
Kentucky Derby Attire Guide
The Kentucky Derby is coming up on May 7th, so it is time to start planning your attire. The Derby is well known for bringing out bright colors and bold patterns that the wealthy don as they place money on their horse of choice and sip a mint julep. Derby style is traditional but has modern twists each year when it comes to color, pattern, and of course, hat etiquette. Here is our attire guide for the 2016 Kentucky Derby:
Men: It’s time to let the prints do the talking! The Kentucky Derby is all about showing off with bright spring colors and wild prints. Whether starting with a pastel palette or going bold with a spotlight-stealing print, this is the time to let your fashion shine. If you’d like to opt for a more classic, elegant look, a plain navy suit or a light seersucker pattern with a bright tie or even a bowtie will fit the bill.
If you’d prefer your style stand out in the spotlight we recommend starting with a bold but solid color scheme and building from there. Bright pants in tropical colors will go a long way in standing out in the crowd at the Downs. Choose a shirt that fits within the color scheme with a bright pattern like gingham or plaid. Finish out with a suit jacket in a coordinating color or pattern and don’t forget the tie! Your tie or bowtie is a great opportunity to add in some understated flair by mixing colors and patterns for a trendy look.
Ladies: Hats, hats, hats, and more hats! As you’re already well aware, a coiffure topping masterpiece will be the star of the show. But what comes first; the hat or the outfit? Experts say it can go either way! No matter which you pick out first, the most important thing is that they complement each other in style and color.
If you’d like your hat to make a strong statement, you can opt for a more subdued outfit in a matching or coordinating shade. But if you’d like your Derby style to have more understated elegance, you may want to keep your outfit on the same plane as well with a light pattern or none at all. When it comes to a brighter, funky style all bets are off! Steal the spotlight with a wild hat and an outfit that stays consistent in both color and pattern.
For more fashion tips for both the ladies and the gents, as well as a guide to dressing for each event, take a look at the Kentucky Derby website, here.
While you’re searching for the perfect eye-catching outfit, let us worry about the dry cleaning. Schedule a home pick-up and delivery for your Derby attire and expect it to arrive clean, pressed, and ready to wear for the Downs. Click here to sign up for home delivery. You’ll have more time to coordinate the perfect colors without needing to fuss about the cleaning. Best of luck and may your horse win!
Why choose Crest Advanced Dry Cleaners?
