Archives for Tips

Draperies

Help Your Draperies Hang In There. Many people forget how important it is to clean draperies and other window treatments regularly. It’s only natural. Draperies, even the elaborate, fitted, pleated creations that require a major investment, are expected to blend in and complement their surroundings. But in reality, draperies do much more than that. Especially in homes with forced-air heating, cooling and ventilation, draperies can actually perform as giant, secondary air filters, trapping air-born dust, dust mites, dander, cooking vapors, soils and much more. So what can you do to help? Vacuuming draperies at least weekly will help keep the buildup of soils to a minimum. In addition, periodic professional cleaning is recommended at least every 3 years. Draperies and other window treatments, properly cleaned and finished, will ensure your home looks its best, with all the color and crispness you originally envisioned.

Delicate Garment Care

Solid Know-How with a Soft Touch. One of the reasons we have such loyal customers is the trust we’ve earned cleaning and finishing delicate, valuable, even heirloom garments without harming them. It’s our job to pay attention to the fabric and construction of each garment, to follow care-label instructions and to not take careless risks with your finer, delicate garments. Intricate construction such as beaded trims, fancy knits and unique buttons can be susceptible to snagging, and we know when to avoid the tumbling cycle that puts such garments at risk. Delicate wools such as angora and cashmere, as well as synthetic blends and microfiber construction require accurate judgment about the best cleaning processes, temperatures and detergents to use for each situation. Trust us to handle your delicate garments carefully, expertly, every time.

Cotton

The Beauty of Cotton Does it seem that cotton garments have been popular forever? That’s because the production of spun cotton goes back some 4,000 years, with use in clothing beginning in the first century in Spain and Italy. Much later, around the early 1600s, cotton was introduced to England and eventually made its way to America. Being a natural product, cotton has a reputation for being simple and basic. The reality is that cotton in clothing has evolved into a highly sophisticated fabric, thanks to surface treatments and fabric engineering techniques that make cotton shine, stretch, twist and perform incredible feats of endurance, comfort and wearability. Still, the real challenge remains — maintaining the appearance of cotton. It is a fabric notorious for wrinkles that won’t go away easily. Professional finishing is to this day the one truly effective means for making a laundered cotton shirt look great. If you have ever tried ironing a cotton shirt at home you know it’s a job well beyond the capability of the home iron and ironing board. Our professional finishing systems work very differently, reaching all areas of the shirt at one time, applying steam, starch, heat and pressure to remove wrinkles and leave impressively smooth, crisp surfaces in their place. Cotton is indeed a fabric that deserves, and receives, much respect, especially when professionally cleaned and finished.

Coat & Outerwear

Protect Your Investment in Outerwear A fine winter coat can be a lasting investment. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Coats of all styles, fabrics and colors – and especially 100% wool coats – respond well to proper care during the winter and in the off season. Here are some tips to help you: Wear scarves to avoid soiling the collar – especially for leather and suede coats. Try to use a good wooden coat hanger rather than a hook, to preserve a coat’s shape. Gently brush your wool coat after each wearing to remove surface dirt. If possible, allow a day of rest between each wearing so that fibers can return to their natural shape. For wool coats labeled “dry clean only,” two cleanings per season is typical. At the end of the winter, coats should be cleaned and properly stored. We can help!

Bedding and Comforters

Proper Storage of Seasonal Bedding Use of different bedding from one season to the next is common, so it’s important to clean and store bedding properly with each seasonal change-out. Bedding should be folded and covered with a breathable cloth sheet to ensure ventilation and help protect against insects. Added protection against insects can be gained by using cedar blocks inside drawers or on closet shelves. Properly cleaned and stored, your bedding items will be soft, fresh and “Oh so inviting!” when you reach for them next season.