Archives for The Closet Manager

Collars and cuffs.

Time to take your business wear out of the closet for a bright-light inspection for signs of wear on collars, cuffs and pockets. Take a good look at the elbows, too. Shirts, sweaters and jackets take a beating at the elbow, even if you’re not a professional arm wrestler. Mark trouble spots with masking tape and bring everything to us — we can patch, mend and reinforce, remove stubborn stains and get your business clothes ready to make an even better impression.

Stowing away winter leathers.

Everything made of leather needs maintenance, especially if it’s been exposed to winter weather conditions. Shoes and boots should be wiped with a damp cloth, especially if salt-stained. Inspect jackets and coats for damage, tears or stains before hanging on a well-padded hanger for storage. Use leather conditioner on dry spots like elbows and seams. Frequently worn items should be professionally cleaned every year to maintain the leather, preserve the color and prevent permanent staining.

Spring cleaning early?

Start with the closets. Review your collection of winter wear and donate everything you didn’t use this year. Now inspect the keepers for damage, stains and wear. Mark problem areas with masking tape and we’ll repair, clean and press everything before it goes into storage for the season. Ask about seasonal storage and non-plastic packaging.

Wondering…

what to do with bulky winter blankets until next winter? Bring them to us – professional cleaning of down, wool, and silk household items will help them last for years, and the breathable bags we return them in are perfect for easy closet or attic storage.

“Mommy Dearest” had a thing about wire hangers.

Did you know 3.5 billion wire hangers end up in landfills every year? When your closet gets overwhelmed, resist the urge to toss wire hangers into the trash or recycling – return them to us. We can reuse them or recycle the steel to greatly reduce carbon impact. Help us sustain the Earth while you sustain closet space – one small step that can result in a huge ecological impact.

Save the memories.

Everyone has an heirloom item made of fabric. Wedding gowns are such popular heirlooms we offer special preservation services. But the same careful cleaning and archival storage can benefit any textile. Grandmother’s lace tablecloth, Dad’s letter jacket or uniform, antique tapestries or christening gowns. We’ve seen it all and can recommend the right procedures and products to preserve your treasure.

Hanger humps.

We’ve all seen sweaters with humped shoulders from incorrect hanging. Sweaters and knits should be folded and hung over the padded hanger bar. Better yet, stored flat on a shelf or in a cedar-lined drawer. The weight of the fabric pulls and stretches, even while wearing. Hump not: we can get garments blocked back into shape as part of cleaning.

Keep your outfit together.

We all have suits and matching outfits that we love, but may not always wear together. Sometimes you wear the skirt or pants with a different blouse, or the jacket with your favorite jeans and a fitted blouse or even a dress. Even though you don’t wear them together, you should always wash or dry clean matching pieces together to make certain that a slight color loss doesn’t give you two pieces that almost match.

Restore and preserve.

Count on us to keep your keepsakes fresh and protected. Preservation’s not just for bridal gowns, we can help save military uniforms, letter jackets and prom dresses. And restoration by our experts can repair stains, tears and loose seams. We not only keep your everyday wardrobe looking its best, we also help keep heirlooms for the future.

Seasonal storage.

Before you stow away the swim suits, linen trousers and patio cushions, be sure everything is clean, clean, clean. Invisible spots can oxidize into permanent stains – food drips and body oils are an invitation to hungry insects. Once everything is clean, store in a cool, dry place in breathable containers, like fabric garment bags.