Carlyle Cleaners

Buying Leathers and Suede Garments

jrassouli — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:18:44 +0000

Buying Leather/Suede Garments

Buy from a reputable store. Look for careful matching of colors and textures between portions of the garment. Suede will never be completely uniform, but that is part of its desirability. Avoid a snug fit. Hides are stretched during tanning and some relaxation shrinkage can be expected in use and cleaning. Read and save any accompanying care information. Choose light and pastel colors. They are less likely to fade in cleaning than deep colors.

Some spots are permanents

jrassouli — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:18:14 +0000

Some spots are permanents

If you’ve ironed over a deodorant streak, you may have permanently damaged the fabric. There’s also little hope for oil stains—especially when the oil in question is suntan oil. In addition, garments that have been sprayed with cat urine probably belong in the trash; even if the spot comes out, the scent will linger forever.

Store Garments Clean

jrassouli — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:05:41 +0000

That dress you wore to a wedding probably looks clean, but don’t shove it in the back of your closet until your next black-tie affair. Perspiration and body oil can attract moths and other insects. In addition, over time, stains that are invisible to the naked eye (usually from a spilled drink or a splatter of sauce) can oxidize and turn brown.

Never store your clothes in the dry cleaner’s bags

jrassouli — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:05:13 +0000

Never store your clothes in the dry cleaner’s bags
Dry cleaners send your clothes home in plastic to ensure everything stays clean and dry in transit. When you get your garment home, do not leave it in its plastic bag. Plastic creates an acid environment in which causes fading and discoloration of your garment over a period of time.
The plastic also causes moisture from the air to get trapped inside and cause considerable damage. On a similar note, leave paper covers in place; they protect garments from dust but still let them breathe.

Always clean both pieces of a suit at the same time

jrassouli — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:04:42 +0000

Always clean both pieces of a suit at the same time

Sure, you take off your suit jacket as soon as you reach the office. But you still need to have it cleaned every time you bring the bottom half in. If you repeatedly send in slacks without the jacket, over time, the shades may age differently.

Your beauty products are ruining your clothes

jrassouli — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:02:24 +0000

Your beauty products are ruining your clothes
Don’t get dressed until you’re ready to go out the door. Antiperspirants, deodorants, hair products, lotions, perfume and teeth whiteners are “disastrous” on fabric. Depending on the product, it may contain alcohol, acid or bleaching agents. If you accidentally spray or spill toiletries, head to the dry cleaner as quickly as possible.

What to do when I stained my clothes

jrassouli — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:01:45 +0000

What to do when I stained my clothes

Regardless of what you have spilled, commercial treatments, water, hairspray or soap will not help get the stain out—in fact, they’ll probably do more harm than good. Club soda works on your stomach, not your blouse. The best way to ensure a stain will be removed, is to get it to the dry cleaner as quickly as possible
We will treat a spot with any number of solutions depending on what was spilled. We’ll have a better chance of removing a stain if you tell us what caused it.

Minimize your trips

jrassouli — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:52:29 +0000

Minimize your trips

In order to minimize your dry-cleaning bill, make sure that you take adequate care of your clothes.

Take the extra time to hang every piece of clothing immediately after you remove it. Take the stained clothes to the cleaner as soon as you can. Finally, if you’re wearing a shirt you really like while eating your mom’s spaghetti, wear a bib as a preemptive strike.