| Q: I removed a stain from a fabric with my steam gun and now the original raised design that was printed on the fabric is gone where I flushed the stain out! What caused this? A: Fabrics with raised designs are called embossed fabrics. Various designs are pressed into the fabric by placing heated, etched, or engraved plates or rollers onto the top of the fabric and applying pressure. Resins or sizings are often applied to give the design permanency. Steam, water, or any stain removal agent that contains water can cause a loss of the intensity of the design. Test thoroughly on an unexposed area before using any wetside stain removal agent or steam. The design is usually not readily affected by dryside stain removal agents. Consumer spillage of beverages or foods may have already caused some design loss before stain removal. |
| F A Q 's |
| Q: I received a very expensive sport coat for cleaning that was labeled four-ply silk. How do I clean four-ply silk? A: The term refers to a yarn in which two or more single yarns are twisted together. Thus, a four-ply yarn would be a yarn where four single yarns are twisted together. Four-ply silk would be a four-ply yarn made of silk fibers. If the jacket is constructed of loosely twisted yarns, run on a delicate load and use a minimal amount of mechanical action in stain removal. If it is constructed of tightly twisted yarns, run on a regular load. |
| Q: What is the cause of random discolorations on colored men's dress shirts? A: Testing has shown that the dyes on these shirts are acid sensitive and will change to a pink or orange color. In most cases, this discoloration is limited to the collar, underarms, or spillage/contact areas on the garment. Additionally, some of these shirts have shown general, blotchy discoloration throughout the entire item, due to the use of acidic sours in commercial processing. To determine if a dye is acid sensitive, place a drop of acidic solution in an unexposed area, and let it sit for two minutes. Normally, discoloration will be noted as soon as the acid solution contacts the fabric, but will gradually go away. However, if a change in color is still present after two minutes, the dye is considered sensitive. (Similar testing may be done with alkaline solutions to determine if a dye is alkaline sensitive.) Regardless of the source of the discoloration, we attribute this color change to the manufacturer due to the use of acid-sensitive dyes. Dyes that are this sensitive are not considered serviceable. |
| Q: Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment? A: 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 further damage. |
| Q: When a garment's label says "washable",
does this mean it cannot be drycleaned? A: Not necessarily. The Care Label Rule states that only one suitable method of care must be on the label. Cleaners usually follow the care instructions, unless otherwise requested. If you want your washable items drycleaned, the cleaner may ask you to sign a damage waiver. |
| Q: Are suede and leathers cleaned the same way as other fabrics? A: No. Special procedures and additives are used on leathers to help retain their color and texture. Sometimes suede and leathers are redyed to replace color loss. It is not always possible to replace or match the colors. |
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Q: Does dry cleaning shrink clothes? |
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Q: Can the cleaner safely stretch fabrics? |
| Q: Should I store my clean garments in the plastic bag they are returned in? A: The bags are provided by the cleaner to protect the garment until you get it home. It is best to store garments uncovered or in fabric garment bags. |