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FAQ’s

Common questions about Dry Cleaning

Everyone always wonders what they should do to best protect their valuable fabric or leather clothing has been a victim of an accidental spill?

Here are some IMPORTANT DOs & DON’Ts that you should follow in that event. We invite you to submit your questions about what steps you should take when these unfortunate event happen – fill out the Stain Solutions form or call us directly at 949-7104 for professional advice.

Fquuently Asked Qustions

Despite its name, drycleaning is not totally dry. It involves the use of liquid chemicals called “solvents” that remove most stains from a variety of fabrics. Most drycleaners use perc as their primary solvent. Because the clothes are cleaned in a liquid solution that is mostly perc or some other solvent, with very little water if any, the term “drycleaning” is used to describe the process. There are some differences in the way drycleaners process clothes, but here is how it typically works:
  • Drycleaners usually treat spots by hand before placing garments in large machines.
  • Liquid solvents,detergents,and sometimes a small amount of water are added to the machines. The machines then agitate clothes in a manner similar to your own washing machine to remove dirt, oil, and stains.
  • Once clean,the clothes are either dried in the same machine or transferred manually to a separate dryer, then pressed and shaped.
Dry cleaning involves the use of dry cleaning solvents in a special machine that washes and dries clothes in one cycle.  Laundering involves the use of water to “wash” clothes in a washing machine.  Both dry cleaning and laundering (wet cleaning) processes include a pre-spotting process and then the cleaning in either the dry cleaning machine or the wahing machine.
While there are many reasons to send your garments to a professional dry cleaners, the most important reason is to prolong the life of your garments while keeping them looking their best.  One of the properties of dry cleaning solvent is that it is much gentler than water on your garments. Another property is that it cleans grease and dirt out of garments much better than with water.
Not necessarily. The dyes and/or sizing may be solvent suitable and may require wet cleaning for best results. Yet again there may be other safe methods of processing a garment. The manufacturer is required to list only one safe method. Rely on your professional drycleaner! With the experience, training and expertise of our drycleaning technicians we can properly test each of these garments to ensure that your clothing wardrobe is properly cared for.
Not necessarily. The dyes and/or sizing may be solvent suitable and may require wet cleaning for best results. Yet again there may be other safe methods of processing a garment. The manufacturer is required to list only one safe method. Rely on your professional drycleaner! With the experience, training and expertise of our drycleaning technicians we can properly test each of these garments to ensure that your clothing wardrobe is properly cared for.
Even water can cause problems on certain fabrics, dyes and sizing. If you want to try anything, please pre-test an unexposed seam. Wet the fabric and blot it with a white cloth. Rubbing while wet during home spotting can distort the yarns, causing light areas or chafing. Allow the area to air dry to determine if the dye or sizing have been disturbed.
The dry cleaning process will not shrink your clothes. We have the most advanced programmable dry cleaning machines that are carefully controlled by systems designed for different garment types. You can be confident that our experienced dry cleaners are fully trained in handling the most problematic fabric types.
The bags we provide are intended to protect your garments until you get them home. Fabric needs to breathe. It’s best to store clothing uncovered or in fabric garment bags.
Both silk and rayon fibers clean very well. However once the fiber has been woven into fabric and it is dyed and treated with various sizing, it becomes a whole different ballgame. It is important that the care label instruction on the garment be followed. This is where we, as your professional drycleaner, are best in making that decision. We are the drycleaner you can trust!
The care label is provided so that both the customer and the cleaner have reasonable guidance regarding care and cleaning methods. Some cleaners decline cleaning garments when care labels are removed, others require a consent form before proceeding with cleaning. We are happy to evaluate any garment, with a care label or not, for cleaning.