Dry Cleaning FAQs
What is dry cleaning?
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.
What is spot cleaning?
Some labels state "Spot Clean Only." Spot cleaning is basically what the title implies. A garment is hand cleaned only in the areas where spots are noticeable. Spot cleaning is performed when portions of the garment are not capable of withstanding normal cleaning methods. Some of today’s fashions include various trims that are unserviceable whether dry cleaned or wet cleaned.
Why must I sign a release for some items?
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.
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?
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.
Why do some dyes change color?
When exposed to solutions containing alcohol, some dyes bleed or change color. Hair sprays, deodorants and perfumes must be allowed to dry before dressing. Remove spills (blot, don’t rub) from garments as soon as possible. Some dyes especially blues and greens on silk, are sensitive to alkalis. Many facial soaps, shampoos, detergents, and even toothpastes alkaline is enough to cause color loss or change. Many times, these changes will not show up until after the dry cleaning process is complete. Many bright colors used on these fabrics can fade from exposure to sunlight and artificial light. Store garments in closets away from any lights or windows.
Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment?
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.
What causes buttons to break on laundered shirts?
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.
To Dry Clean or Launder – What does the care label mean?
Federal laws require that all clothing manufacturers provide proper cleaning instructions attached by a care label. The labels are supposed to provide information about the fabric from which the garment is made and special care instructions and how to clean it.
Is dry cleaning actually dry?
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.
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?
The cellulose in all-cotton fabrics is prone to weakening by the chemicals found in antiperspirants. Also, sweat itself can damage clothes.
What causes yellowing and/or fabric damage?
Exposure to heat or the passage of time can cause stains from food, beverages and other oily substances to oxidize and turn yellow or brown. Once stains become yellow or brown, they are much more difficult to treat and often cannot be removed. Some fabrics react negatively to common chemicals such as antiperspirant, perfume and aftershave.
Applying these common chemicals before you dress can help avoid fabric breakdown or discoloration, but over a period of time damage can take place. Repeated contact to perspiration will eventually lead to permanent yellowing that is commonly seen on shirts and blouses.
I have a stain on my favorite skirt. It was cleaned but the stain didn’t come out.
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.
Which fabrics are recommended for dry cleaning?
Wool, silk and acetate fabrics are most appropriate for dry cleaning. Also any fabrics trimmed in suede or leather. Pieces embellished with fancy beading, pearls, rhinestones or sequins, fine "designer" knit suits, and most sweaters — are great candidates too.
Why do spots sometimes show up after dry cleaning that weren’t visible before?
One of the dry cleaner’s worst enemies is the "invisible stain" like spray from grapefruit, hair spray or perfume. These stains surface after dry cleaning and become very visible after processing. It is actually the heat associated with the dry cleaning cycle or pressing that makes the stains visible. Dry cleaning itself will not remove these and depending on the material, some can be removed by a technician. Some may never be removed. If you know of any such invisible stains, please point them out so that we may pre-treat the stain before dry cleaning.
Does the dry cleaning process and chemicals cause undue wear on my clothes?
No. Dry cleaning can extend the life of your clothing. Food and beverage spills or tiny crumbs can attract insects and cause damage unless garment is dry cleaned. Colors will change as well if the original dye lot is not colorfast or also be noticed if matching pieces are cleaned with different solvents.
What is the best way to remove stains?
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.
My new shirt has a care label that says "Dry Clean Only." It doesn’t give further care instructions. The fabric content label says it’s made of rayon and nylon. I can launder this at home, right?
We believe it is best to follow the garment manufacturer’s suggestion and dry cleaning would probably yield the best results.
How can you ensure easy stain removal?
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!
I have a professional suit jacket and slacks in summer white linen. I took the slacks to the cleaners but not the jacket. Now the two pieces are different colors of white!
Today’s "summer" whites may contain fluorescent brighteners that can be damaged by prolonged natural sunlight. If you own matching sets of clothing such as suits, sweater sets, or dresses with matching jackets, always have them cleaned at the same time, whether or not they appear to be soiled. Dyes and fabrics finishes will change over time and with repeated wearing. To keep your matching sets looking as new as possible and clean them together.