'Earth Day Deals from the Green Bride Guide'

'Earth Day Deals from the Green Bride Guide'

Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Cleaning

Q: What is Dry Cleaning?

A: Dry cleaning uses fluids to remove soils and stains from fabrics. Among the advantages of dry cleaning is its ability to dissolve grease and oils in a way different from water. Natural fibers such as wools and silks dry clean beautifully, but can shrink, distort, and lose color when washed in water. Synthetic fibers like polyester also respond well to dry cleaning. However, with a washing they can retain oily stains. Dry cleaning helps to return garments to a "like-new" condition using precautions to prevent shrinkage, loss of color, and change of texture or finish.

Q: Is dry cleaning actually dry?

A: Dry cleaning is not dry; it’s wet. Instead of water, a blend of chemical solvents are used to clean. The solvents work better than water, removing stains without ruining fabric.

Q:Why must I sign a release for some items?

A: Garments that are delicate, fancy, suede, leather or have noticeable damage, and household items require a release of liability simply due to the increased potential risk for damage during the cleaning process. Care labels provided on garments only cover the base fabric not the trim (beads, sequence, lace, embroidery, etc.) that is added after the construction of the garment. Care labels on leather and household items also do not protect the consumer.

Q: White wine spilled on the jacket of my best suit. It doesn’t show because I immediately mopped it up. Should I worry about a spot?

A: You should note any spills on fabrics before the garment is cleaned professionally. For example, if not pre-spotted, sugar residue will darken (caramelize) when heat is applied at pressing. The more information you can provide, the better your suit will look after cleaning and pressing.

Q:I have a 100% cotton shirt with a stains in the arm pits. I do perspire but I also use antiperspirant. What is causing the sweat rings?

A: The cellulose in all-cotton fabrics is prone to weakening by the chemicals found in antiperspirants. Also, sweat itself can damage clothes.

Q:I have a stain on my favorite skirt. It was cleaned but the stain didn’t come out.

A: You may bring the skirt back to us and ask for spot treatment and redo. If you know the cause of the stain (wine, ink, etc.) that information will be helpful in the spotting process. Once a stain has been "set" with heat, we cannot guarantee complete removal and may ask you to sign a customer-consent form. In this case, calling attention to the stained area before cleaning probably would have prevented the discoloration.

Q: What is the best way to remove stains?

A: Dry cleaners use complex procedures and special stain removal chemicals to remove stains. Stains are divided into two major categories: solvent-soluble stains and water-soluble stains. Different stains require different treatments and our stain removal technicians are trained to administer.
There are some stains that cannot be removed after contact with select fabrics. Many factors affect our ability to remove stains, such as age, temperature and consumer’s past attempts to wash or remove the stain.

Q: How can you ensure easy stain removal?

A: Get the garment to your dry cleaner as quickly as possible. Be sure to explain specifically the caused of the stain. Dry cleaners use different methods to fight different stains and knowing the specifics will help achieve optimal results. Spot removal is not guaranteed but we will always do our best!

Q: Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment?

A: On the contrary, frequent cleaning prolongs the life of a garment. Not only do stains set with age, making the garment unwearable, but ground-in dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing rapid wear of fibers. Also, insects are attracted to soiled clothes and will cause additional damage.

Q: What causes buttons to break on laundered shirts?

A: Many buttons are constructed of materials that cannot handle the heat involved in professional shirt pressing. Buttons do break on occasion and we attempt to replace each and every one before it is returned to you.

Q: Does dry cleaning disinfect your clothes the same way a dryer would?

A: Yes; because dry cleaning is called dry cleaning because ‘not wet with water’; Wet with water is wet; then if not wet with water must mean dry; that’s where that comes from;Dry cleaners do not use air; to ‘somehow’ magically clean your clothes. Its common misconception, ‘dry’ in ‘dry clean’; must mean air, the chemicals used will kill any bacteria or virus on the clothes, just as if you put some bacteria in alcohol it will die.

Q: Will dry cleaning remove the pleats in a chiffon dress?

A: The wet process will but the presser could put them back in, if its possible.

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