Dry cleaning facts about … Dry Cleaning! What else?
- Moths Love Dirty Clothes – This is a Fact. Moths always look for protein in stains, perspiration and other matter collected on our clothes. It is here that they lay their eggs, the larvae then feed on the protein and in the process eat the fabric, wool and cotton are at risk.
- If you find a moth in the wardrobe beware!
- Always clean your clothes as winter moves to summer. Not only do you lessen the risk of moth damage (which has increased dramatically over the last four years in London), but your clothes are clean and ready as autumn returns. There are various methods of keeping the moths away and one of the most pleasant is using natural cedar, it smells pleasant to most humans, but the moths hate it.
- Never leave the plastic cover from the dry cleaner covering your clothes in your wardrobe, in humid conditions the clothes can not breathe and this can help attract moths etc. To prevent dust gathering, cut the plastic cover some 4 inches (10 centimeters) from the shoulder, this will act as dust protection, but still allow the fabric to breathe.
- Dry cleaning is a wet process that is water free. Dry cleaning is favored by garment manufacturers, especially because it will not harm the fabric or the construction of the item. Dry cleaning favors the removal of grease & oil based stains whereas wet cleaning / washing favors water based stains. For this reason we should always be advised as to the nature of the stain.
- Clothes should always be washed or dry cleaned regularly. Modern methods are not harmful to clothes, especially here at 123 Cleaners where we have recently invested in the most technologically advanced dry cleaning machines available, enabling us to clean even the most delicate garments. Stains should always be treated as soon as possible, even though stain may seem to disappear it is still there. These stains will "develop" over time and may well "set" and not be possible to remove at a later stage.
- Stains should never be rubbed, this can damage the fibers, and while not unnecessarily noticeable at the time of the "accident", after cleaning may well result in color or pile damage. Only blot a stain, preferably with clean white absorbent tissue and have it cleaned as soon as possible. Never put white wine on red wine or salt on a wine stain, this will only make the dry cleaner's job more difficult and may result in the stain not being removed.
- Always try to point out any stains when bringing the garment for cleaning, and where possible identify the stain so that the correct treatment can be applied. Help Us To Help You.
- Fabrics are becoming ever more elaborate, particularly in the "designer" and more expensive garments. Never apply deodorants, eau de toilette, perfume etc. Whether in spray or solid form while wearing the garment. Always apply before wearing and allow to it dry. Modern deodorants etc. Can damage a fine fabric particularly when mixed with perspiration.
- Garment manufacturers must by law attach a care label into every garment. This is to help the dry cleaner know which cleaning method to apply to the garment, in order to achieve the best result. All clothing manufacturers should test their garments, not just for cleanability, but the various component parts such as trims, sequins beads etc. As well as color fastness, the suitability of glues (eg in hems and interlinings) and the fabric make up. Just because the garment was expensive to buy does not indicate that it has been fully tested.
- A garment without a care label will have to be cleaned at the owner's risk. Since without a care label instruction from the manufacturer the cleaner may not know the best cleaning method to apply to the fabric, and therefore can not be held responsible for the consequences. However here at 123 we should be able to give you the correct advice.
- There is no guarantee that a stain can be removed in dry cleaning or wet cleaning. Some modern fabrics have weak dyes, so that stain removal can be difficult, especially if the stain is stronger than the fabric dye, or has been left in the garment for some time. It is fair to say that stains left for more than one month may be difficult to remove, the longer they are left the more difficult it becomes. Neverheless payment in full is still required as the cleaner will have spent reasonable time trying to rejuvenate the item.