A guide to the dry cleaning process at Organic Cleaners
From start to finish:
From a customer's perspective, it's a pretty simple system: You drop your clothes off at the cleaners, then pick them up - all fresh, spotless and wrinkle-free - in a couple of days.
But have you ever wondered how dry-cleaning actually works, or exactly how much skill and labor is involved in making your clothes look brand new? The modern dry cleaning process includes five important steps:
- Tagging and inspection – When you entrust your clothing to the care of a dry cleaner, your order must be identified. This includes counting the items and describing them (e.g. shirts, slacks, blouses), noting the date they were left and the date they'll be ready for pick up. Next, a small, bar-coded tag is attached to each piece of clothing. The tag remains fixed to the garment during the entire dry-cleaning process. By simply scanning the bar code, the cleaner has access to your specific customer information – including your name, address, and telephone number. That way, your order can be tracked.
- Pre-treatment – The first thing a cleaner does with your clothes is look for stains and treat them to make removal easier and more complete. Water may be applied to wet stains and solvent may be applied for dry stains (those that have grease or oil in them).
- Dry cleaning – At this point, your clothes are placed in a machine and cleaned with a solvent. At Organic Cleaners, we use environmentally safe DF-2000 formulas to clean your garments in compliance with the latest EPA standards.
Typically, the cleaning machine is a motor-driven washer/extractor/dryer that holds clothes or fabrics in a rotating, perforated stainless-steel basket. As the items rotate, there is a constant flow of clean solvent from a pump and filter system. The clothes are immersed in the solvent, which is pumped continuously through the filter and re-circulated free and clear of dirt that gets trapped in the filter. The next cycle drains and rapidly spins the clothes to expel the solvent, and then goes into a dry cycle, circulating warm air through the clothes. Any remaining solvent is vaporized by the warm air and condensed over cooling coils.
- Post-spotting – During this stage, any lingering stains are removed from clothing using state-of-the-art cleaning processes utilizing steam, water, air, and vacuum.
- Finishing – The final phase of dry-cleaning operations includes pressing, steaming, ironing, and making any necessary repairs to restore a garment – most often in plain view of customers. At Organic Cleaners, we use a gentle hand-ironing method to give your garments the meticulous care they deserve.
As you can see, dry cleaning is a sophisticated, technologically advanced process. But for you, it's never been simpler or more convenient. Organic Cleaners offers 24-hour access to garment drop-off your clothing that will be ready after %:00 pm the next business day, as well as online credit card payment.
Condition Yellow:
How to avoid those unsightly underarm stains
When you're trying to look your best, even the smallest clothing stains can be embarrassing. But none are as potentially humiliating as yellow underarm stains.
One would think these are caused by perspiration – but one would be wrong. While it is true that the chloride salts in perspiration tend to fade all colors, it is the combined effect of sweat and deodorant or antiperspirant buildup that yellows fabric. Acidic antiperspirants contain aluminum chloride, which can change the color of some dyes.
To prevent deodorants or antiperspirants from tainting your clothes, follow these steps:
- Use alcohol-free deodorants with a natural pH rather than an acidic antiperspirant. Avoid deodorant products that contain acidic solutions of aluminum chloride.
- Apply the product as instructed, and avoid overuse.
- Allow the product to dry before dressing.
- Avoid prolonged contact with antiperspirants and deodorants.
- Use underarm guards when wearing delicate garments, especially those made of silk.
If discoloration does occur, don't hesitate to take the item to your dry-cleaner immediately and point out the problem. This can help prevent further damage to the item.
You can remove residue from washable garments by washing them as soon as possible after you wear them, using the hottest water safe for the fabric. First, check the label on your laundry detergent for pretreatment instructions. Then, pre-treat the stains by soaking the garment in a detergent containing enzymes.
If the stain remains, you can try using three percent hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach according to fiber type. However, read care label instructions first. Also, before trying this method, test for colorfastness by applying the bleach to an unexposed area, and let stand for five minutes. If the color is affected, do not use the product.
Don't let unsightly yellow underarm stains ruin your clothing – or your reputation. Use deodorants or antiperspirants correctly.
Red alert:
Try these tips for stubborn stains
Careful with the pasta sauce and Chianti, or spills and splatters on your clothing will have you seeing red.
Red stains on shirts, slacks, blouses and dresses can be frustrating, but also difficult to avoid, especially during holiday periods. If your duds get doused, follow these general stain-removing tips:
- Treat stains as quickly as possible. The older the stain, the more difficult it is to remove.
- Before attempting to remove a stain, always read and follow the care instructions on the garment label.
- All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering.
- Test any stain remover on a corner of a washable fabric first to see how it reacts.
- Whenever possible, treat stains from the back of the fabric. Place a spot downward on paper towels so the stain will come off the fabric instead of going through it.
Of course, some red stains are more difficult to remove than others. Here are home-treatment instructions for the most common red stains:
- Red wine: Pour some white wine on the affected area and soak it up. Then wash the garment in cold water and ammonia. Launder red wine stains with detergent in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
- Cranberries: Sponge immediately with cool water. Later, soak the stain in warm water and enzyme pre-soak. Then, launder. If necessary, launder the garment again using chlorine beach if it is safe for use on the fabric.
- Grape and berry juices: Treat with cool water first. Then, if necessary, soak in a chlorinated laundry bleach and rinse. White cottons and linens may be stretched over a basin and boiling water poured through. Any remaining stain may be removed with chlorinated laundry bleach.
- Tomato juice: Sponge thoroughly with cold water first. Pre-treat the fabric with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover), leave for 30 minutes, then wash in the usual way. Rinse in warm water. Remove any remaining stain with chlorinated laundry bleach, as directed.
- Tea: Treat the affected area with a stain remover. Gently rub the stain with a strong liquid detergent, or soak in warm water in an enzyme pre-soak, and wash according to care label. If the stain remains, launder with bleach deemed safe for fabric.
- Lipstick: Rub undiluted liquid detergent into the stain until the outline of the stain is removed. If the stain remains after laundering, sponge with a pre-treatment solvent.
When in doubt, consult one of our garment care specialists at an Organic Cleaners near you or e-mail us at brad@organicdrycleaners.com , we're standing by ready to serve your every fabric care need.
How often should I clean a suit?
Today, more and more people want to be dressed for success, and nothing provides a crisp, professional look better than a well-tailored business suit.
It's important, however, to keep a suit in good condition. Owners can do their part by treating their garments well and storing them correctly. But sooner or later, a suit will need to be cleaned – it's just a question of when and how often.
Opinions vary on this point. According to GQ magazine, suits should be cleaned at least once a season by a professional dry cleaner. Light-color summer suits are especially susceptible to dirt and perspiration, and therefore might require more frequent cleanings. Other clothing specialists maintain that most suits need to be cleaned two or three times per year, unless they have been soiled.
Between trips to the cleaners, you can keep your suit fresh by following these grooming tips:
- Give your suits a rest. Do not wear the same suit two days in a row. Give it 24 hours between wearings to allow the fabric fibers to regain their resiliency.
- Air out suits exposed to smoky environments. Suits should be aired out before returning to a closet.
- Remove all contents. Empty the pockets, remove your belt, unbutton the jacket and unzip the pants before hanging your garments to avoid wrinkles.
- Use proper hangers. Hang your jacket on a large, wishbone-shaped hanger. Hang your pants over a big, thick wooden hanger with a cross bar dowel so that it doesn't create a crease. Cedar hangers help dry and deodorize garments as they hang. Do not use wire hangers. Transfer dry-cleaned clothes to wooden hangers before returning them to your closet.
- Don't overstuff your closet. Provide enough room for your suits to avoid wrinkles and benefit from the circulation of air.
- Spot clean your garments. Regularly check for stains that you can simply sponge off.
- Have all pieces of a suit cleaned at the same time. This prevents any inconsistencies resulting from small color changes caused by the dry cleaning process.
At Organic Cleaners , we understand the importance of a well-groomed wardrobe. That's why we offer the ultimate care for your suits and other garments. To learn more about our advanced cleaning processes and convenient service, drop by one of our convenient locations today. |
