If you are like me, you have a significant investment in our wardrobe and you have a few pieces that you expect to hold onto for many seasons. How and where we store our garments has a huge effect on their life expectacy. A well designed closet should keep your items organized and keep them in good condition. It is astounding the damage that can be done to garments by a poorly designed closet - from insect damage to mildew, sun fading and more. Below are some tips on creating the perfect closet (from a garment storage perspective:-).
Use low wattage lights in your closet - AND NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT! I am amazed at how many sky lights or windows I see in closets. Windows are not for your closet. The sun will bleach your clothes the same way it will bleach your hair. I have also seen ultraviolet lights being sold for closets. These lights do an excellent job at controlling mildew but serious sun fading can result!
If you have a bright closet, or blocking the window is not an option, put clean white sheets over items you don't wear frequently. You can poke a hole in the middle of the sheet to put over the hanger.
Closets that have one (or heaven forbid more than one) exterior wall should not be used for long term storage of garments. Closets with exterior walls tend to have higher humidity. Anything stored next to an outside wall will be effected by both the changes in temperature and the absorption of moisture. Guest room closets with are infrequently opened should also be avoided or as a minimum leave the doors ajar periodically to air them out.
Closet tip . . . when you are away on a trip, open all your closet doors to allow air to circulate. This will reduce humidity and control mildew growth. Also insects cause the most damage when they are isolated and un-bothered.
Closet dryers are available such as the crystalline type for small storage areas. You can find them and better hardware stores. Larger closets require electric dryers.
Do no pack clothes tightly into a closet -- they need room to breath
Cedar lining of a closet can help reduce insect damage. The cedar requires rejuvenation YEARLY by scuffing up the surface as the cedar will reseal itself. I do no recommend moth balls! The moth ball odor is often impossible to remove from garments. For long term storage I recommend a cedar chest.
Some tips that even the perfect closet would appreciate:
Cedar closet lining can be cut to length and laid on shelves or placed in drawers. This is much more effective and less costly than purchasing cedar blocks.
Never put garments away for the season (or an extended period) without cleaning them. Invisible stains (fruit juice, champagne, white wine, etc) will oxidize (picture how an apple turns brown after you take a bite and set it aside). Oxidized stains are very difficult to remove. Also, it is the soils in the clothes that insects love. So putting worn garments in your closet will be an invitation to bugs.
Room dry all damp clothes and leather and suedes after each wear, BEFORE returning them to the closet. Fabrics and especially leather and suede are hygroscopic and will retain moisture when worn.
Store knits flat! Gravity can do great damage over time to many garments. Knits are especially prone because they are constructed to move and stretch. Always store knits flat on a shelf or in a drawer. I have seen fine knits that have stretched several inches from hanging in the closet.
Heavy and beaded garments should be stored on padded hangers, with pin supports and using the provided straps for further support. If there are none, you can pin a strap to each side at the waist. This helps remove some of the weight and retain the garment's shape.
Never store clothing in plastic bags provided by the drycleaner. Those bags are intended to protect your items on the trip home from the cleaner. The bags catch gasses given off by the atmosphere, garments and that come out of the plastic. When contained in the bags such gases can build up in concentrations to damaging levels.
History of Drycleaning
Spirits of turpentine were used to remove stains of an oily nature as far back as the beginning of the 18th century. The garment cleaning industry existed in both Europe and the United States prior to the mid-1800's. The trade was known as "dyer-scourer." The cleaners job was based on wet cleaning processes with solvents used for localized spot removal.
The process reversed itself in the late 18th century and relied primarily on the use of solvents for cleaning as opposed to water. Cleaners found that less shrinkage, dye loss, and wrinkling occurred making the finishing operations easier.
The first dry cleaning operation was Mr. J. B. Jolly's cleaning and dyeing firm in Paris, France. Primarily camphene solvent was used. This solvent was less than ideal as it left a lingering odor of turpentine. Other early solvents included benzole, kerosene and gasoline.
In 1928 W. J. Stoddard developed an acceptable petroleum based solvent which became known as Stoddard solvent. Because of its low flash point of 100 degrees, another similar solvent called 140degree solvent was developed because it was safer. This solvent remains in use today.
In the 1930's trichloloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride were being used starting a trend toward synthetic solvents. These solvents were advantageous because they were non-flammable and fast drying. Also in the 1930's perchloroethylene came into use and is still the primary solvent used today. One other solvent developed in the 1960's known as flourocarbon solvent has the advantage of its gentleness to fabrics and dyes. Because of the discovery of the detrimental effect on the ozone layer, this solvent was phased out of use in the US.
Today, petroleum solvents (often called organic, true, but there is no healthful advantage to a petroleum solvent), and perchloroethylene are the major solvents utilized for the drycleaning industry. Many alternatives are being developed, Silicone (Green Earth), CO2, Drysolve, etc. in an effort to clean and be more environmentally conscious.
Source Note: Drycleaning Laundry Institute, MD
The process reversed itself in the late 18th century and relied primarily on the use of solvents for cleaning as opposed to water. Cleaners found that less shrinkage, dye loss, and wrinkling occurred making the finishing operations easier.
The first dry cleaning operation was Mr. J. B. Jolly's cleaning and dyeing firm in Paris, France. Primarily camphene solvent was used. This solvent was less than ideal as it left a lingering odor of turpentine. Other early solvents included benzole, kerosene and gasoline.
In 1928 W. J. Stoddard developed an acceptable petroleum based solvent which became known as Stoddard solvent. Because of its low flash point of 100 degrees, another similar solvent called 140degree solvent was developed because it was safer. This solvent remains in use today.
In the 1930's trichloloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride were being used starting a trend toward synthetic solvents. These solvents were advantageous because they were non-flammable and fast drying. Also in the 1930's perchloroethylene came into use and is still the primary solvent used today. One other solvent developed in the 1960's known as flourocarbon solvent has the advantage of its gentleness to fabrics and dyes. Because of the discovery of the detrimental effect on the ozone layer, this solvent was phased out of use in the US.
Today, petroleum solvents (often called organic, true, but there is no healthful advantage to a petroleum solvent), and perchloroethylene are the major solvents utilized for the drycleaning industry. Many alternatives are being developed, Silicone (Green Earth), CO2, Drysolve, etc. in an effort to clean and be more environmentally conscious.
Source Note: Drycleaning Laundry Institute, MD
Caring for Your Neck Tie
A favorite Christmas gift for men is the necktie. Neckties are also a way to add a fashion statement to men's business attire. Today I want to talk about what you can do to make you ties last for years to come!
AVOID STAINS: People don't realize that ties are specialty items and are not really intended to be cleaned too frequently. That said - the best way to avoid wear is to protect your tie when you eat. Pulling it to the side, removing it or covering it with a napkin are all good options.
UNTIE THE KNOT: Leaving the tie knotted between wearings may cause permanent wrinkles. Always store your ties untied! Be gentle when you tie and untie your tie. Do not pull the small end through the knot to untie as this action forces undue stress on the fragile bias material comprising most ties.
REMOVING WATER MARKS: Ties should not be rubbed to remove a stain with the exception of water marks. Some water marks can be removed by lightly rubbing the mark with the small end of the tie, use no moisture or agents. Be sure to rub gently and monitor progress from all angles to prevent damage to the finish.
REMOVING WRINKLES: After removing your tie for the day, if there are any wrinkles, roll the tie around a finger, slip the rolled tie off, and store overnight. Do not roll too tightly and do not keep it in the rolled up position for more than a day or two. If this is unsuccessful, try rolling the tie in the other direction. Never press a tie with an iron!
CLEANING TIES: Ties are very fragile and require experienced and competent care. Proper cleaning can only be achieved by a professional that will take the care to hand treat, very gently clean, and block the tie to its proper shape. Ties should never be ironed or pressed, as such actions will force the bias material out of shape and cause impressions, crease edges and generally remove life from the tie.
Inspect some finished work from a cleaner before entrusting one with such unique articles.
AVOID STAINS: People don't realize that ties are specialty items and are not really intended to be cleaned too frequently. That said - the best way to avoid wear is to protect your tie when you eat. Pulling it to the side, removing it or covering it with a napkin are all good options.
UNTIE THE KNOT: Leaving the tie knotted between wearings may cause permanent wrinkles. Always store your ties untied! Be gentle when you tie and untie your tie. Do not pull the small end through the knot to untie as this action forces undue stress on the fragile bias material comprising most ties.
REMOVING WATER MARKS: Ties should not be rubbed to remove a stain with the exception of water marks. Some water marks can be removed by lightly rubbing the mark with the small end of the tie, use no moisture or agents. Be sure to rub gently and monitor progress from all angles to prevent damage to the finish.
REMOVING WRINKLES: After removing your tie for the day, if there are any wrinkles, roll the tie around a finger, slip the rolled tie off, and store overnight. Do not roll too tightly and do not keep it in the rolled up position for more than a day or two. If this is unsuccessful, try rolling the tie in the other direction. Never press a tie with an iron!
CLEANING TIES: Ties are very fragile and require experienced and competent care. Proper cleaning can only be achieved by a professional that will take the care to hand treat, very gently clean, and block the tie to its proper shape. Ties should never be ironed or pressed, as such actions will force the bias material out of shape and cause impressions, crease edges and generally remove life from the tie.
Inspect some finished work from a cleaner before entrusting one with such unique articles.
Live Longer, Look Younger
I mean your drapes, of course.
Nothing brightens a room like clean drapes and window treatments. And there are a few things to know in order to keep your drapes living longer, and looking younger.
Drapes and window treatments are made of a variety of cloths, from heavy durable fabrics, to light, transparent materials. But no matter what they are made of, a number of environmental factors will affect their condition and lifespan. These include:
Sunlight
Sun damage and fading strike unlined drapes the hardest. Sunlight will not only fade colors but also wear on the threads of the fabric itself. While man[made fibers such as polyester are more resistant to such damage, no material is immune
Oxidation
Fumes from pollution, cooking, smoking, etc., contain chemicals which will cling to curtains and drapes. When combined with humidity and oxygen, these chemicals can create a mild acid which hastens deterioration.
Shrinkage
Humidity and air quality can cause drapes to shrink 2%! Over time, this shrinkage can be progressive.
Dyes and Pigments
Drapery dyes, like all dyes, are subject to changes over time. These can include bleeding, cracking and running. Pigments held on fabric with a binding agent can also crack, stiffen and fade over time.
Humidity and Moisture
Often, condensation on windows comes into contact with drapes leaving permanent water marks.
It is important to protect your valuable investment with regular cleaning in order to remove the soiling and deposits of vapors and fumes that com from heating systems, fireplaces, cooking and dust. How often draperies should be cleaned depends on location and amount of sunlight. Kitchen draperies, or those in a household with smokers, should be cleaned annually, whereas those used in a guest room with minimal sunlight need cleaning only once every two to four years. Those near intake or heating agents, or close to windows which are often opened, need cleaning every one to two years.
If you would like to freshen up your home prior to the Holiday Season, please plan ahead to allow sufficient time for the entire process. Prior to taking down your window treatments - take a digital photo to document their layout and appearance. This helps to ensure that the decorator's original intent is preserved. Prior to cleaning the treatments themselves will be measured both before and after cleaning. 5% shrinkage is considered acceptable by the fabric manufacturers. And rehanging by an experienced professional can compensate for these sort of shortcomings.
So here's hoping your drapes and window treatments live a long and youthful life:-)
Nothing brightens a room like clean drapes and window treatments. And there are a few things to know in order to keep your drapes living longer, and looking younger.
Drapes and window treatments are made of a variety of cloths, from heavy durable fabrics, to light, transparent materials. But no matter what they are made of, a number of environmental factors will affect their condition and lifespan. These include:
Sunlight
Sun damage and fading strike unlined drapes the hardest. Sunlight will not only fade colors but also wear on the threads of the fabric itself. While man[made fibers such as polyester are more resistant to such damage, no material is immune
Oxidation
Fumes from pollution, cooking, smoking, etc., contain chemicals which will cling to curtains and drapes. When combined with humidity and oxygen, these chemicals can create a mild acid which hastens deterioration.
Shrinkage
Humidity and air quality can cause drapes to shrink 2%! Over time, this shrinkage can be progressive.
Dyes and Pigments
Drapery dyes, like all dyes, are subject to changes over time. These can include bleeding, cracking and running. Pigments held on fabric with a binding agent can also crack, stiffen and fade over time.
Humidity and Moisture
Often, condensation on windows comes into contact with drapes leaving permanent water marks.
It is important to protect your valuable investment with regular cleaning in order to remove the soiling and deposits of vapors and fumes that com from heating systems, fireplaces, cooking and dust. How often draperies should be cleaned depends on location and amount of sunlight. Kitchen draperies, or those in a household with smokers, should be cleaned annually, whereas those used in a guest room with minimal sunlight need cleaning only once every two to four years. Those near intake or heating agents, or close to windows which are often opened, need cleaning every one to two years.
If you would like to freshen up your home prior to the Holiday Season, please plan ahead to allow sufficient time for the entire process. Prior to taking down your window treatments - take a digital photo to document their layout and appearance. This helps to ensure that the decorator's original intent is preserved. Prior to cleaning the treatments themselves will be measured both before and after cleaning. 5% shrinkage is considered acceptable by the fabric manufacturers. And rehanging by an experienced professional can compensate for these sort of shortcomings.
So here's hoping your drapes and window treatments live a long and youthful life:-)
For the guy who is sick of his shirt buttons breaking
Imagine you are on a business trip. It is 6am and you are getting dressed in your hotel room. You pull out your dress shirt that was, cleaned, pressed and folded for travel by your drycleaner. You are going to look like a million bucks for this presentation/sales meeting/etc.
As you are buttoning up your shirt, it happens. The button is either missing - or it breaks in your fingers. You frantically search for the little sewing kit that hotels always put in the room. The button is a different size and your sewing capabilities are limited.
CURSE THAT DARN DRYCLEANER or LAUNDRY you think to yourself.
Sound familiar?
Let me tell you why this happens. Buttons are made off-shore. China, India, Pakistan, etc. And quality control is often non-existent. These cheap plastic buttons are not made to survive the temperatures of commercial laundry. I believe many buyers for the garment industry are just not aware of the problem. If the button looks good, and the price is right, they buy. After all, they have no responsibility once the end customer has purchased the garment.
How to prevent broken buttons: Ask your cleaner to replace all the buttons when the shirt it new. Cleaners buy high quality aftermarket buttons that stand up to the cleaning process. Also, many original buttons are unable to be matched. If you replace them all up front, any lost buttons will be a non-issue in the future
we have developed a men's shirt program that will replace all the buttons on a shirt for $20. We remove all the buttons and replace them with buttons that are quality made and will withstand the heat of commercial laundry. Like most quality cleaners, we replace buttons that break during cleaning/pressing. But they do not always match exactly.
Replacing all the buttons at once has several benefits: There is no mix-mash over time as buttons are replaced one by one - often a shirt will end up with several different looking buttons and/or thread, and most important, you will avoid the scenario of being in a hotel room with no button on your shirt.
As you are buttoning up your shirt, it happens. The button is either missing - or it breaks in your fingers. You frantically search for the little sewing kit that hotels always put in the room. The button is a different size and your sewing capabilities are limited.
CURSE THAT DARN DRYCLEANER or LAUNDRY you think to yourself.
Sound familiar?
Let me tell you why this happens. Buttons are made off-shore. China, India, Pakistan, etc. And quality control is often non-existent. These cheap plastic buttons are not made to survive the temperatures of commercial laundry. I believe many buyers for the garment industry are just not aware of the problem. If the button looks good, and the price is right, they buy. After all, they have no responsibility once the end customer has purchased the garment.
How to prevent broken buttons: Ask your cleaner to replace all the buttons when the shirt it new. Cleaners buy high quality aftermarket buttons that stand up to the cleaning process. Also, many original buttons are unable to be matched. If you replace them all up front, any lost buttons will be a non-issue in the future
we have developed a men's shirt program that will replace all the buttons on a shirt for $20. We remove all the buttons and replace them with buttons that are quality made and will withstand the heat of commercial laundry. Like most quality cleaners, we replace buttons that break during cleaning/pressing. But they do not always match exactly.
Replacing all the buttons at once has several benefits: There is no mix-mash over time as buttons are replaced one by one - often a shirt will end up with several different looking buttons and/or thread, and most important, you will avoid the scenario of being in a hotel room with no button on your shirt.
Pay less to clean your shirts!
I want to illuminate one of the most frequent complaints I hear about drycleaners.
“I wanted my shirt laundered. Why did you dryclean it? I don’t want to pay 3 or 4 times what you charge for the laundered shirt!”
Even worse – the public often get the impression that their cleaner charges more for women’s clothing than men’s. That is illegal! Unfortunately, the clerks working at many cleaners don’t understand why the prices are what they are. Poorly trained Customer service reps re-enforce this common misconception.
Before I address the WHY, here are my tips for buying shirts so that you won't experience this:
First: Buy 100% cotton! Rayon, spandex blend, silk, etc. CANNOT BE Machine Finished! The machine has 400F plates that close on the WET material. These materials melt, tear or otherwise cannot withstand the process!
Third: Do not buy shirts with pleats, tacks, ornamentation or linings that can flop around.
Shirts can be finished by 3 methods: Machine Only (Least costly), Touch up - Machine and then touched up with an iron (More Labor intensive), Hand Finish - Ironed the old fashioned way (If you have ironed your own shirts, you know what I'm saying when I say this is the most labor intensive. A skilled finisher with the best equipment can still take up to 15 minutes to properly iron a linen or cotton blouse!)
The reason drycleaning is expensive is because of the time, supplies, labor and utilities involved.
So the natural question would be "Why don't they make machines for other types of clothing?" Well there is no garment as uniform and frequently used as a man's dress shirt.
I hope this photo of the shirts as they come off of the machine (no touch-up) make my point. Every one is a different brand. Some are short sleeve, some are button down. But they are notably all alike.
Try this with women's blouses and you will begin to understand your drycleaners dilemma!
So let's review why these shirts are so inexpensive: First off, shirts are not dried. There are no utilities necessary to dry the shirts, because they are pressed wet. The shirt machine is “dressed” with a wet shirt, and then 2 400 degree hot metal plates close on the shirt drying and pressing it at the same time.
So besides the savings in natural gas (which is huge, by the way!) one person can press over 50 shirts an hour!!!! Try that on your ironing board at home. Even with all the fancy technology, pressing a rayon, silk or even (I should say especially) a cotton or linen blouse takes up to 10 minutes. Cotton and Linen hand pressed shirts are even more time consuming.
That being said, shirt pressed by machine feel different. They are a little stiffer than hand finished shirts – That is the your preference.
Also, shirt that are machine finished only last (according to the Laundry & Drycleaning Institute) 52 washings. That is a life of one year if you wash your shirt weekly. Hand finished shirts will not wear out that quickly.
The key to avoiding this:Communication!
“I wanted my shirt laundered. Why did you dryclean it? I don’t want to pay 3 or 4 times what you charge for the laundered shirt!”
Even worse – the public often get the impression that their cleaner charges more for women’s clothing than men’s. That is illegal! Unfortunately, the clerks working at many cleaners don’t understand why the prices are what they are. Poorly trained Customer service reps re-enforce this common misconception.
Before I address the WHY, here are my tips for buying shirts so that you won't experience this:
First: Buy 100% cotton! Rayon, spandex blend, silk, etc. CANNOT BE Machine Finished! The machine has 400F plates that close on the WET material. These materials melt, tear or otherwise cannot withstand the process!
Second: Select shirts with standard buttons. - Pearl buttons, snaps, etc. will break or melt!
Third: Do not buy shirts with pleats, tacks, ornamentation or linings that can flop around.
Lastly: Buy your shirts between a size 6 and 12 - anything too large or too small SHOULD cost extra because it won't fit on the machine.
Shirts can be finished by 3 methods: Machine Only (Least costly), Touch up - Machine and then touched up with an iron (More Labor intensive), Hand Finish - Ironed the old fashioned way (If you have ironed your own shirts, you know what I'm saying when I say this is the most labor intensive. A skilled finisher with the best equipment can still take up to 15 minutes to properly iron a linen or cotton blouse!)
The reason drycleaning is expensive is because of the time, supplies, labor and utilities involved.
So the natural question would be "Why don't they make machines for other types of clothing?" Well there is no garment as uniform and frequently used as a man's dress shirt.I hope this photo of the shirts as they come off of the machine (no touch-up) make my point. Every one is a different brand. Some are short sleeve, some are button down. But they are notably all alike.
Try this with women's blouses and you will begin to understand your drycleaners dilemma!
So let's review why these shirts are so inexpensive: First off, shirts are not dried. There are no utilities necessary to dry the shirts, because they are pressed wet. The shirt machine is “dressed” with a wet shirt, and then 2 400 degree hot metal plates close on the shirt drying and pressing it at the same time.
So besides the savings in natural gas (which is huge, by the way!) one person can press over 50 shirts an hour!!!! Try that on your ironing board at home. Even with all the fancy technology, pressing a rayon, silk or even (I should say especially) a cotton or linen blouse takes up to 10 minutes. Cotton and Linen hand pressed shirts are even more time consuming.
That being said, shirt pressed by machine feel different. They are a little stiffer than hand finished shirts – That is the your preference.
Also, shirt that are machine finished only last (according to the Laundry & Drycleaning Institute) 52 washings. That is a life of one year if you wash your shirt weekly. Hand finished shirts will not wear out that quickly.
The key to avoiding this:Communication!
AND
You get what you pay for (and what you want)!
A Matter of Life or Death Denim
Content taken from Dr Denim
"According to the experts, denim/jeans should not meet detergents or washing machines for the first six months after purchase. That's why (he) decided to write this blog and document the life of (his) new jeans for the first six or so months of their life"
Dry cleaning your jeans is OK, and as far as I understand, won't shorten their shelf life. However, you need to find a dry cleaner that knows what they're doing. It's the same with everything in life. You don't go to the first car mechanic you find. You look around a bit, and ask people who have used dry cleaners in your area before.
"Dry-Cleaning in certain solvents will return the jeans looking like new or better with no shrinkage." If you're living in the US, have a look at http://www.americasbestcleaners.com/, for the top 50 dry cleaners. According to Dependable Drycleaners in Denver, they did a test for a local TV station, where they dry cleaned a pair of pants 10 times, and washed an identical pair 10 times. When they compared them side by side, the dry cleaned pair looked as good as they did on day one, only softer, where the pair that was washed looked older and lost color.
My test, however, has nothing to do with washing vs dry cleaning. It has to do with "wearing in" the jeans for 6 months, and then washing them, in water, for the first time, so that the raw denim would shrink the 1-5%. That will, according to the experts, give me a really good fit -- Darryl De Necker
"According to the experts, denim/jeans should not meet detergents or washing machines for the first six months after purchase. That's why (he) decided to write this blog and document the life of (his) new jeans for the first six or so months of their life"
Dry cleaning your jeans is OK, and as far as I understand, won't shorten their shelf life. However, you need to find a dry cleaner that knows what they're doing. It's the same with everything in life. You don't go to the first car mechanic you find. You look around a bit, and ask people who have used dry cleaners in your area before.
"Dry-Cleaning in certain solvents will return the jeans looking like new or better with no shrinkage." If you're living in the US, have a look at http://www.americasbestcleaners.com/, for the top 50 dry cleaners. According to Dependable Drycleaners in Denver, they did a test for a local TV station, where they dry cleaned a pair of pants 10 times, and washed an identical pair 10 times. When they compared them side by side, the dry cleaned pair looked as good as they did on day one, only softer, where the pair that was washed looked older and lost color.
My test, however, has nothing to do with washing vs dry cleaning. It has to do with "wearing in" the jeans for 6 months, and then washing them, in water, for the first time, so that the raw denim would shrink the 1-5%. That will, according to the experts, give me a really good fit -- Darryl De Necker
Americas Best Cleaners
I am in NYC right now learning from many of America's best cleaners. We are discussing topics that range from "The fashion industries sustainable future" with presenters including Doug Shriver from Brooks Brothers and Nicholas Regine from Swarovski Crystals (As a side did you know that some of the Cristal used for ornamentation on garments are still made with lead?!), to "The Green Economy" and Bogner Winter 2008 Ski Wear and Why I only trust ABC by Edwin Abreu of Brioni.
I know that just talking and sharing ideas with this diverse group makes my business more valuable to my customers. I recommend that you look for a cleaner with affiliations. This sort of training and continuous improvement is something less than one in ten drycleaners bothers to do. Any cleaner that cares enough to invest time in this sort of growth, is delivering their customers greater value. I also believe it is a huge benefit to our employees, making us a better community citizens.
America's Best Cleaners is one way we can regulate or "certify" the quality of the cleaners in the association. The group is there to serve the garment industry and is currently partnered with Hugo Boss, Brioni, and Brooks Brothers. In exchange for these clothiers recommending America's Best Cleaners, the organization created an objective program to ensure that the customers (you) will have the best dryclean experience and value.
What makes a cleaner one of America's Best?
Drycleaning aside, it is fascinating to by in NYC right now discussing business!
I know that just talking and sharing ideas with this diverse group makes my business more valuable to my customers. I recommend that you look for a cleaner with affiliations. This sort of training and continuous improvement is something less than one in ten drycleaners bothers to do. Any cleaner that cares enough to invest time in this sort of growth, is delivering their customers greater value. I also believe it is a huge benefit to our employees, making us a better community citizens.
America's Best Cleaners is one way we can regulate or "certify" the quality of the cleaners in the association. The group is there to serve the garment industry and is currently partnered with Hugo Boss, Brioni, and Brooks Brothers. In exchange for these clothiers recommending America's Best Cleaners, the organization created an objective program to ensure that the customers (you) will have the best dryclean experience and value.
What makes a cleaner one of America's Best?
- Review of all aspects of production before cleaner is accepted
- Monthly solvent testing - for cleanliness and ph
- Quarterly secret shop for quality
- Quarterly secret shop for service
- Direct customer service surveys
Drycleaning aside, it is fascinating to by in NYC right now discussing business!
How to Remove a Stain
First: Never put water on a dryclean only garment in an effort to remove a stain!
Water stains are best removed with water - anything put on a stain will have to be removed. I know, most people has heard that soda water bubbles will lift a stain - Don't believe it!
Ink: Ink is combination of chemicals. One will come out with water and the other will not! Once the chemicals have been separated - the ink becomes permanent. Hairspray is water based, so even if it get the ink out - you then need to remove the hairspray stain. Most small ink stains can be removed by a skilled drycleaner. However success also depends on the fastness of the color in the garment. Natural fibers - cotton and silk for example, do not hold dyes very firmly making these sort of stains difficult to remove on brightly colored garments.
Second: If you feel the need to apply an at home stain remover, REFRAIN! Again, most of these products are water based and will need to be flushed with water. This is not a good idea for dryclean only garments.
Third: You can blot the stain with a clean towel or napkin. Do not use paper napkins, or worse, colored paper napkins - the color may transfer to the garment and cause damage.
Fourth: Do not rub a stain. This will cause abrasion or de-luster the fabric - so it is no longer a stain, it is then fabric damage. You may also work the soil into the fibers making the stain more difficult to remove. Blot or pat the stain to remove the excess.
Fifth: At home dryclean kits do not remove soils. They freshen with deodorants and at best remove dust.
Sixth: Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda are wonderful natural whiteners for your regular laundry. They are do not contain the toxic ingredients of many store bought bleaches and cleaners. Be sure to read the instructions and not over use them.
Seven: Sunshine is a wonderful disinfectant - leaving items outside in the sunshine for a short period (less than an hour) works as well today as it did in your grandmothers day. Drycleaning alone does not remove odors but sunshine will. But be warned, the sun is very damaging and can bleach garments and weaken fibers if they are left out too long!
In the end, I am advocating leaving stain removal to the professionals. They have access to more chemicals than you do at home and they have experience with all sorts of fibers and soils. Some stains that are impossible to remove at home - make-up stains and salad oil for example, are relatively easy for the drycleaner to remove because oil based stains come right out in the drycleaning process. One of the many lessons I have learned over the years is that nothing is simple. Every garment is unique - weave, material blend, dyes -- and every stain is unique, and is best left to the professional.
Water stains are best removed with water - anything put on a stain will have to be removed. I know, most people has heard that soda water bubbles will lift a stain - Don't believe it!
Ink: Ink is combination of chemicals. One will come out with water and the other will not! Once the chemicals have been separated - the ink becomes permanent. Hairspray is water based, so even if it get the ink out - you then need to remove the hairspray stain. Most small ink stains can be removed by a skilled drycleaner. However success also depends on the fastness of the color in the garment. Natural fibers - cotton and silk for example, do not hold dyes very firmly making these sort of stains difficult to remove on brightly colored garments.
Second: If you feel the need to apply an at home stain remover, REFRAIN! Again, most of these products are water based and will need to be flushed with water. This is not a good idea for dryclean only garments.
Third: You can blot the stain with a clean towel or napkin. Do not use paper napkins, or worse, colored paper napkins - the color may transfer to the garment and cause damage.
Fourth: Do not rub a stain. This will cause abrasion or de-luster the fabric - so it is no longer a stain, it is then fabric damage. You may also work the soil into the fibers making the stain more difficult to remove. Blot or pat the stain to remove the excess.
Fifth: At home dryclean kits do not remove soils. They freshen with deodorants and at best remove dust.
Sixth: Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda are wonderful natural whiteners for your regular laundry. They are do not contain the toxic ingredients of many store bought bleaches and cleaners. Be sure to read the instructions and not over use them.
Seven: Sunshine is a wonderful disinfectant - leaving items outside in the sunshine for a short period (less than an hour) works as well today as it did in your grandmothers day. Drycleaning alone does not remove odors but sunshine will. But be warned, the sun is very damaging and can bleach garments and weaken fibers if they are left out too long!
In the end, I am advocating leaving stain removal to the professionals. They have access to more chemicals than you do at home and they have experience with all sorts of fibers and soils. Some stains that are impossible to remove at home - make-up stains and salad oil for example, are relatively easy for the drycleaner to remove because oil based stains come right out in the drycleaning process. One of the many lessons I have learned over the years is that nothing is simple. Every garment is unique - weave, material blend, dyes -- and every stain is unique, and is best left to the professional.
How to create free time
If you are like me, you have more things to each day than you have time for. Time is a precious commodity. We cannot make more time and it keeps on moving forward, no matter how we protest. I think time is our most precious commodity. How we use our time shapes who we are.
So how much time do you spend on errands? Things like grocery shopping, going to the post office, and going to the drycleaner.
Going to the drycleaners. What other chore can you name where you have to get in your car and drive to the same shop twice and pay money to get your same old clothes back! And if you clothes are not ready on the promised day, you could be going in yet again! Really! Who has time for that?
Did you know you don’t have to go to the drycleaners? Most areas have at least one cleaner that offers free pick up and delivery. Why would anyone NOT use this free service?
They put your credit card on file. You leave your clothes in a bag on a hook on your front door (or some other predetermined spot). Then on the “ready” date (generally Monday to Thursday, Thursday to Monday, Tuesday to Friday and Friday to Tuesday). Your clothes are returned to you fresh and clean to your door.
Your drycleaner literally becomes your front (or back door). In drycleaning, as in life, it is all about the automating the details. This is one errand that should be a non-errand. After all, don't you have better things to do?
Click here for some time saving tips from the smart folks at MIT!
So how much time do you spend on errands? Things like grocery shopping, going to the post office, and going to the drycleaner.
Going to the drycleaners. What other chore can you name where you have to get in your car and drive to the same shop twice and pay money to get your same old clothes back! And if you clothes are not ready on the promised day, you could be going in yet again! Really! Who has time for that?
Did you know you don’t have to go to the drycleaners? Most areas have at least one cleaner that offers free pick up and delivery. Why would anyone NOT use this free service?
They put your credit card on file. You leave your clothes in a bag on a hook on your front door (or some other predetermined spot). Then on the “ready” date (generally Monday to Thursday, Thursday to Monday, Tuesday to Friday and Friday to Tuesday). Your clothes are returned to you fresh and clean to your door.
Your drycleaner literally becomes your front (or back door). In drycleaning, as in life, it is all about the automating the details. This is one errand that should be a non-errand. After all, don't you have better things to do?
Click here for some time saving tips from the smart folks at MIT!
3 Facts Your Drycleaner thinks you know
If you go to the drycleaners regularly, you will eventually have an issue. Perhaps this is the reason drycleaners have such a bad reputation with the public. I believe that these occurrences are the best way to determine if you have chosen the right cleaner for you. This is really an opportunity for you.
ANY concern you voice should be taken seriously! It may or may not be the drycleaners fault (they may not be able to know at first blush) - but they should care that you are unsatisfied.
Wear and life - Just like your car when you drive it off the lot, your clothes loose value with every passing day. The FTC and IFI (the laundry and drycleaning institute) publish guidelines that state most garments have a life of 2 years. Even leathers have a lifetime of 10 years. If you love vintage clothes - be sure to tell your cleaner the age of the item. The cleaner may not want to clean it because it is not their specialty. That's OK. You can find another.
Your drycleaner assumes what you drop off is drycleanable - This is often not true. Hand painted garments often can not be put in a dryclean machine. Another example, many Tommy Bahama silk items must be cleaned exactly according to care labels or else the dyes will fade or bleed.
You get what you pay for - Many cleaners limit their liability to 10 to 20 times the cost of cleaning. This is a well established guideline and is often printed on your receipt. This is fine if you have dockers or other main stream items cleaned. However, if you regularly take your $4000 Armani suit, or Dolce Gabbana dress to be cleaned, your clothes may not be getting the attention they need. Be sure to always let your cleaner know if you have these sort of expensive items.
ANY concern you voice should be taken seriously! It may or may not be the drycleaners fault (they may not be able to know at first blush) - but they should care that you are unsatisfied.
Wear and life - Just like your car when you drive it off the lot, your clothes loose value with every passing day. The FTC and IFI (the laundry and drycleaning institute) publish guidelines that state most garments have a life of 2 years. Even leathers have a lifetime of 10 years. If you love vintage clothes - be sure to tell your cleaner the age of the item. The cleaner may not want to clean it because it is not their specialty. That's OK. You can find another.
Your drycleaner assumes what you drop off is drycleanable - This is often not true. Hand painted garments often can not be put in a dryclean machine. Another example, many Tommy Bahama silk items must be cleaned exactly according to care labels or else the dyes will fade or bleed.
You get what you pay for - Many cleaners limit their liability to 10 to 20 times the cost of cleaning. This is a well established guideline and is often printed on your receipt. This is fine if you have dockers or other main stream items cleaned. However, if you regularly take your $4000 Armani suit, or Dolce Gabbana dress to be cleaned, your clothes may not be getting the attention they need. Be sure to always let your cleaner know if you have these sort of expensive items.
Is your Drycleaner Green? (Take the plastic back!)
Those that have known me for a while, know that I am a bit of an enigma. While its true, I was an Aerospace engineer, I also was a vegetarian for several years and for a period grew my own food, recycled and composted to such an extent that I did not have any refuse removal for weeks at a time. Somehow, I always was able to integrate my green beliefs and lifestyle with a field where many thought it wasn't possible.
Now that I am a drycleaner, reducing waste and my carbon footprint is as challenging as ever. With the growing green marketing in the world, I think it has gotten more difficult to know what is and isn't "greener".
First off, it isn't about the solvent! Did you know that all 4th generation drycleaning machines (in California - all drycleaning machines are supposed to be 4th or 5th generation) if they are well maintained, recycle 95% or more of the solvent with no air pollution?! Compare that to your washing machine at home that discharges all the water, detergents and bleaches into the sewer system. The main thing a customer needs to know is that the machinery is well maintained.
How can you tell if the drycleaner maintains his equipment? Well, a poorly maintained front office would be a good tip off. Chemical odors in your clothes is another. But over time you will be able to tell by the quality of cleaning. Poorly maintained equipment will show up as poorly cleaned garments.
If you are concerned about the environment, ask what your drycleaner does to be environmentally responsible. If the only answer is solvent, keep looking. Any environmentally concerned drycleaner should have a laundry list of items; Hanger re-use program, plastic recycling, paper and cardboard recycling, better light bulbs, full pipe insulation, boiler reclamation etc. You may not understand it all, but it is the fact that they have thought about it and have a list that counts.
Organic is a term that may have meaning in other industries, but is pretty meaningless for a drycleaner. Any chemical that has Carbon in it is technically organic. Perc, the solvent that has gotten all the bad press and the reason California drycleaners are required to have a Prop 65 sign in their windows, is organic. Silicone solvent - made from beach sand and the same chemical used in the beauty industry in many creams and lotions - is not organic. There are also CO2 machines and lots of hybrid types. They all have their environmental, safety or other drawbacks. So no matter the solvent, I maintain, you cannot determine a green drycleaner by solvent alone!
Plastic bags (known as poly) is the hardest thing for me to deal with. They are not recyclable in your home recycle bins. We had to take them to a grocery store for recycling before we got our supplier to take the plastic back. We now have gone to continuous roll plastic that reduced our usage by 20%. Unfortunately, the customers get more plastic. Try and make sense of that! The industry is working to create a bio-degradable (corn based) plastic. And I hope that it will be available soon. Reusable bags seem like a good idea - however you are creating another something that will need to be cleaned regularly - taking more energy and cost. It all gets very complicated very quickly.
My biggest recommendation for any dryclean customer is TAKE THE PLASTIC OFF THE CLOTHES AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME! The plastic is a petroleum product and it out-gasses. Often the chemical smell people complain about is not solvent, but out-gassing from the plastic. The plastic also captures atmospheric gases and holds them next to your clothes, and they will end up next to your skin. I have even seen cases where the plastic trapped moisture and the clothes were ruined by mold. Keeping the plastic on for a few days won't cause any harm. In fact, clothes packed in the drycleaner plastic travel much better. However, remove the plastic as soon as possible -- and by all means take it back to the drycleaner. If they don't take it, find another drycleaner.
So with all these negatives, you may wonder why I still believe in the cleaners. Well there are 2 main things that I feel are irrefutable;
Now that I am a drycleaner, reducing waste and my carbon footprint is as challenging as ever. With the growing green marketing in the world, I think it has gotten more difficult to know what is and isn't "greener".
First off, it isn't about the solvent! Did you know that all 4th generation drycleaning machines (in California - all drycleaning machines are supposed to be 4th or 5th generation) if they are well maintained, recycle 95% or more of the solvent with no air pollution?! Compare that to your washing machine at home that discharges all the water, detergents and bleaches into the sewer system. The main thing a customer needs to know is that the machinery is well maintained.
How can you tell if the drycleaner maintains his equipment? Well, a poorly maintained front office would be a good tip off. Chemical odors in your clothes is another. But over time you will be able to tell by the quality of cleaning. Poorly maintained equipment will show up as poorly cleaned garments.
If you are concerned about the environment, ask what your drycleaner does to be environmentally responsible. If the only answer is solvent, keep looking. Any environmentally concerned drycleaner should have a laundry list of items; Hanger re-use program, plastic recycling, paper and cardboard recycling, better light bulbs, full pipe insulation, boiler reclamation etc. You may not understand it all, but it is the fact that they have thought about it and have a list that counts.
Organic is a term that may have meaning in other industries, but is pretty meaningless for a drycleaner. Any chemical that has Carbon in it is technically organic. Perc, the solvent that has gotten all the bad press and the reason California drycleaners are required to have a Prop 65 sign in their windows, is organic. Silicone solvent - made from beach sand and the same chemical used in the beauty industry in many creams and lotions - is not organic. There are also CO2 machines and lots of hybrid types. They all have their environmental, safety or other drawbacks. So no matter the solvent, I maintain, you cannot determine a green drycleaner by solvent alone!
Plastic bags (known as poly) is the hardest thing for me to deal with. They are not recyclable in your home recycle bins. We had to take them to a grocery store for recycling before we got our supplier to take the plastic back. We now have gone to continuous roll plastic that reduced our usage by 20%. Unfortunately, the customers get more plastic. Try and make sense of that! The industry is working to create a bio-degradable (corn based) plastic. And I hope that it will be available soon. Reusable bags seem like a good idea - however you are creating another something that will need to be cleaned regularly - taking more energy and cost. It all gets very complicated very quickly.
My biggest recommendation for any dryclean customer is TAKE THE PLASTIC OFF THE CLOTHES AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME! The plastic is a petroleum product and it out-gasses. Often the chemical smell people complain about is not solvent, but out-gassing from the plastic. The plastic also captures atmospheric gases and holds them next to your clothes, and they will end up next to your skin. I have even seen cases where the plastic trapped moisture and the clothes were ruined by mold. Keeping the plastic on for a few days won't cause any harm. In fact, clothes packed in the drycleaner plastic travel much better. However, remove the plastic as soon as possible -- and by all means take it back to the drycleaner. If they don't take it, find another drycleaner.
So with all these negatives, you may wonder why I still believe in the cleaners. Well there are 2 main things that I feel are irrefutable;
- People must clean there clothes, and our washers and machines are always full, and constantly monitored. They use much less energy, detergent, solvent that any home cleaning system possibly could to clean the same volume. What better reason to get your sheets professionally cleaned and pressed - treat your self to luxery and help conserve our environment?
- We offer free pick up and delivery. This may be unique to us, but our routes are so dense that we have 100 stops a day on 5 routes. Think of the amount of traffic and fuel use if all those people drove to the cleaners!
In the end, I want you to feel better about your drycleaner. Bad operators give the whole industry a bad name. I trust that conscientious consumers like you will use their buying power to support the environmentally responsible drycleaner.
How to choose a drycleaner: Part Two
Consider the time and commitment that the average person invests each time they visit a salon for hair care or body work. A good drycleaner recognizes your investment in your wardrobe and needs your understanding of the often-difficult task it is to protect that investment. Mutual respect and an eye toward the same goal combine as important ingredients for a successful relationship.
There can be great disparity among drycleaners – as with restaurants—and there are many different attitudes toward perfection. You know what your comfort level is. Assess yourself, decide what is best for you, and then set out to find the drycleaner that offers you the best fit.
Price is usually dictated by quality. Do you wear clothing that demands hand ironing and excellent spot removal at a higher price, or will a discount cleaner satisfy your needs? If you opt for the cheaper cleaner, I don't believe it is fair to hold then responsible when they ruin your white designer shirt. They are cheap because they cut corners, and the buyer should beware!
Quality:
This goes along with price. In drycleaning, you usually get what you pay for. Fine drycleaning requires constant training for every position in the cleaners. Everyone from Finishers to the Drycleaner and the Customer Service people need to be kept current in order to maintain quality. The changing nature of chemicals, and textiles require it!.
Responsiveness:
When you have a complaint about quality, you have a lost garment; you need something in a rush; or you need a special favor, such as a quick repair or special delivery you’re your drycleaner there for you. Whether discount or custom, your cleaners should “bend over backward” for you. Expect no less.
Choosing a drycleaner is as personal as your wardrobe. When it comes to drycleaning there are tangible differences. I believe that if you do enough drycleaning, you will eventually have a problem. It may or may not be the cleaners fault - often the manufacturers are at fault and the cleaner is blamed. What sets a drycleaner apart, is how they handle the issue and if the customer is happy (as possible) with the outcome.
In the final analysis, you need to do the taste test yourself.
There can be great disparity among drycleaners – as with restaurants—and there are many different attitudes toward perfection. You know what your comfort level is. Assess yourself, decide what is best for you, and then set out to find the drycleaner that offers you the best fit.
You are now officially warned: there is no requirement, license (other than a business license) or certification to become a drycleaner – all they need is a sign!
Factors in the decision:
Selecting a drycleaner is a personal issue. In considering your drycleaning needs, you must find the balance of several elements: convenience, price, quality, serviced offered, customer care and expertise. How these items are prioritized vary with every person. Take a moment and consider each factor.
Convenience:
Selecting a drycleaner is a personal issue. In considering your drycleaning needs, you must find the balance of several elements: convenience, price, quality, serviced offered, customer care and expertise. How these items are prioritized vary with every person. Take a moment and consider each factor.
Convenience:
- Remember that rush our, both morning and night is a high traffic time at your dycleaner’s counter. If time is a consideration, ask if the cleaner promotes a quick-drop method.
- Is free parking and easy access available?
- If you pick up and drop off on the way to work, consider these issues: some clothing can fade if left in direct sunlight for an extended period. The heat of a closed car can diminish a crisp finish on your clothing. Security may also be a consideration if clothing is visible in your car.
- Flexible hours
- Pick up and delivery service.
Price is usually dictated by quality. Do you wear clothing that demands hand ironing and excellent spot removal at a higher price, or will a discount cleaner satisfy your needs? If you opt for the cheaper cleaner, I don't believe it is fair to hold then responsible when they ruin your white designer shirt. They are cheap because they cut corners, and the buyer should beware!
Quality:
This goes along with price. In drycleaning, you usually get what you pay for. Fine drycleaning requires constant training for every position in the cleaners. Everyone from Finishers to the Drycleaner and the Customer Service people need to be kept current in order to maintain quality. The changing nature of chemicals, and textiles require it!.
Responsiveness:
When you have a complaint about quality, you have a lost garment; you need something in a rush; or you need a special favor, such as a quick repair or special delivery you’re your drycleaner there for you. Whether discount or custom, your cleaners should “bend over backward” for you. Expect no less.
Choosing a drycleaner is as personal as your wardrobe. When it comes to drycleaning there are tangible differences. I believe that if you do enough drycleaning, you will eventually have a problem. It may or may not be the cleaners fault - often the manufacturers are at fault and the cleaner is blamed. What sets a drycleaner apart, is how they handle the issue and if the customer is happy (as possible) with the outcome.
In the final analysis, you need to do the taste test yourself.
How to choose a drycleaner: Part One
Most people have little idea how involved the dry-cleaning process is and, really, why should they care? I believe you need to know enough to ensure you have control over your clothing investment.
The process of dropping your clothing at the drycleaner is not as simple as it first appears. It is the drycleaners job to make it look simple. It starts with a skilled and caring customer service person. Quality will depends on the skilled and diligent production workers. Caring for textiles is a labor intensive, people intensive business. Proper care for your clothing requires continuing education and awareness on not only the cleaner’s part – but on your part, as well.
With that in mind, here is a brief outline of what happens when your clothes go to the cleaners and what you should be on the lookout for.
The Process:
From the moment you walk into your drycleaner or give your items to your personal drycleaner (at your home or office), the process begins.
At the counter: You want the customer service person to be responsive when you point out a stain or discuss a problem. They should inspect the clothing for a proper count of what you are leaving at the very least.
There are generally 2 methods for accepting items:
1) A detailed inspection and pricing in front of the customer of every piece. For a large order this may take considerable time (well over 15 minutes!). Very small, and often lower end or discount cleaners will often inspect and create the final invoice in your presence – I believe this is an indication of the lack of trust between the drycleaner and customer. I would take it as red flag. A company that must ensure their price upfront or that a hem was loose on arrival, will not be able to build the level of trust needed to provide delivery service, THE BIGGEST VALUE YOU CAN GET FROM A CLEANER! However, this is fairly common. If this is your drycleaner, be sure they are reading the care label, discuss any unusual aspects and alert you to any stains. They should also check all pockets and return any items found to you.
2) More common (and I believe preferable – time is money after all!) is a mini inspection with a mini ticket issued. The items are then inspected thoroughly after you have gone to do something else.
Marking or Detailing the Order:
Before cleaning, all items must have an identification affixed. Then a technician will do a second inspection and make some basic decisions: Whether the item can be cleaned in a drycleaning machine, which stains need to be pre-treated, the length of the cleaning cycle necessary to remove soil and stains; the length of the cycle with regard to fragility of the item; possible air drying to control shrinkage, and the type of solvent. There are currently 6 major solvent used. Most cleaners use at least 2, water and their solvent of choice. If chemicals are important to you, solvent may be a factor in your choice.
Finishing: This refers to both hand ironing and machine pressing. Pressing by machine results in a firm, often crisp finish (like a man’s shirt). Hand ironing results in a softer finish and is much more labor intensive. An experienced finisher knows which approach will improve unsightly shine, button impressions and hard wrinkles. The finisher must also make many decisions: Should an item be hard or soft pressed, should it be creased? Should the hem be pressed or rolled? Should the linen blouse be starched? These are all daily decision made by a finisher.
Final Inspection: When the garment has been cleaned and finished, final inspection takes place where all tags are removed and the clothes are deemed ready to wear. A plastic bag is put over the order to protect it during storage and on the way back to your closet. Many discount cleaners skip this last step, meaning you will act as the final inspector.
The process of dropping your clothing at the drycleaner is not as simple as it first appears. It is the drycleaners job to make it look simple. It starts with a skilled and caring customer service person. Quality will depends on the skilled and diligent production workers. Caring for textiles is a labor intensive, people intensive business. Proper care for your clothing requires continuing education and awareness on not only the cleaner’s part – but on your part, as well.
With that in mind, here is a brief outline of what happens when your clothes go to the cleaners and what you should be on the lookout for.
The Process:
From the moment you walk into your drycleaner or give your items to your personal drycleaner (at your home or office), the process begins.
At the counter: You want the customer service person to be responsive when you point out a stain or discuss a problem. They should inspect the clothing for a proper count of what you are leaving at the very least.
There are generally 2 methods for accepting items:
1) A detailed inspection and pricing in front of the customer of every piece. For a large order this may take considerable time (well over 15 minutes!). Very small, and often lower end or discount cleaners will often inspect and create the final invoice in your presence – I believe this is an indication of the lack of trust between the drycleaner and customer. I would take it as red flag. A company that must ensure their price upfront or that a hem was loose on arrival, will not be able to build the level of trust needed to provide delivery service, THE BIGGEST VALUE YOU CAN GET FROM A CLEANER! However, this is fairly common. If this is your drycleaner, be sure they are reading the care label, discuss any unusual aspects and alert you to any stains. They should also check all pockets and return any items found to you.
2) More common (and I believe preferable – time is money after all!) is a mini inspection with a mini ticket issued. The items are then inspected thoroughly after you have gone to do something else.
Marking or Detailing the Order:
Before cleaning, all items must have an identification affixed. Then a technician will do a second inspection and make some basic decisions: Whether the item can be cleaned in a drycleaning machine, which stains need to be pre-treated, the length of the cleaning cycle necessary to remove soil and stains; the length of the cycle with regard to fragility of the item; possible air drying to control shrinkage, and the type of solvent. There are currently 6 major solvent used. Most cleaners use at least 2, water and their solvent of choice. If chemicals are important to you, solvent may be a factor in your choice.
Finishing: This refers to both hand ironing and machine pressing. Pressing by machine results in a firm, often crisp finish (like a man’s shirt). Hand ironing results in a softer finish and is much more labor intensive. An experienced finisher knows which approach will improve unsightly shine, button impressions and hard wrinkles. The finisher must also make many decisions: Should an item be hard or soft pressed, should it be creased? Should the hem be pressed or rolled? Should the linen blouse be starched? These are all daily decision made by a finisher.
Final Inspection: When the garment has been cleaned and finished, final inspection takes place where all tags are removed and the clothes are deemed ready to wear. A plastic bag is put over the order to protect it during storage and on the way back to your closet. Many discount cleaners skip this last step, meaning you will act as the final inspector.
How to Impress Women
PLEASE READ THIS IF YOU PRESS YOUR OWN SHIRTS!
We can tell if you don't get your shirts professionally laundered. They just don't have that crisp finished look. The lines on the side or arms are a dead giveaway, or maybe its that slightly fuzzy look that gives it away. These days lots of guys are wearing funky dress shirts over jeans. Its a great look! But if its wrinkled (not the wrinkled look - big difference), we wonder "why can't he spend $3 to get a shirt pressed? His time must not be valuable."
I was recently fortunate enough to attend a networking group that consisted of (mostly) very successful (read millionaire) Internet businessmen. It was a fascinating experience! They were all there to network and get ideas from each other. It quickly became clear that they were driven to be successful in ALL aspects of their lives. Many were married and work life balance was discussed more than once. At one point they got so specific as to ask the question "how can I make sure my wife (partner, etc) feels loved when I work such long hours and travel frequently?"
Now as a woman, I have heard this story countless times from the other end of the conversation. I found this discussion really impressive. One recommendation struck me as brilliant in its simplicity; no matter whether both partners work or not, get a house keeper. If you are never home and never clean or do dishes etc. resentment will build in your partner. But if you are home - it is more important to have quality time, rather than spend it cleaning toilets.
Wow! So simple and so true
After the epiphany of the house cleaner, I started questioning how many of them used drycleaners, and of those that did, did they have pickup and delivery service. Actually, I could tell right away that most of them did not use a cleaner. Most were wearing dress shirts and it was apparent that they (turns out it was their wife) did the laundry.
Now the age range of the group was 25 - 50 and the over 40 crowd seemed a little more savvy about drycleaning. However many of the younger ones had never even consider it. When I asked if they could think of a more tedious time consuming chore than laundry, I got the impression most of them didn't do their own laundry. Suddenly a light went on - while they already had a housekeeper, they could also get the laundry sent out. What about sheets? Khakis?
They found a new way to be successful and a hero at home! And it was simple.
These were entrepreneurs that made their living by selling their ideas - that pretty much applied to everyone there. How they looked would be key to making a sale to investors, customers (if they met them in person) or their wives. And every one of them wanted to look as successful as they were (Don't get me wrong there won't be any suits anytime soon) and make life better for their family.
What is important in life? All these success stories put their family, their time and their image at the top of the list and that is exactly what a drycleaner can do for you.
We can tell if you don't get your shirts professionally laundered. They just don't have that crisp finished look. The lines on the side or arms are a dead giveaway, or maybe its that slightly fuzzy look that gives it away. These days lots of guys are wearing funky dress shirts over jeans. Its a great look! But if its wrinkled (not the wrinkled look - big difference), we wonder "why can't he spend $3 to get a shirt pressed? His time must not be valuable."
I was recently fortunate enough to attend a networking group that consisted of (mostly) very successful (read millionaire) Internet businessmen. It was a fascinating experience! They were all there to network and get ideas from each other. It quickly became clear that they were driven to be successful in ALL aspects of their lives. Many were married and work life balance was discussed more than once. At one point they got so specific as to ask the question "how can I make sure my wife (partner, etc) feels loved when I work such long hours and travel frequently?"
Now as a woman, I have heard this story countless times from the other end of the conversation. I found this discussion really impressive. One recommendation struck me as brilliant in its simplicity; no matter whether both partners work or not, get a house keeper. If you are never home and never clean or do dishes etc. resentment will build in your partner. But if you are home - it is more important to have quality time, rather than spend it cleaning toilets.
Wow! So simple and so true
After the epiphany of the house cleaner, I started questioning how many of them used drycleaners, and of those that did, did they have pickup and delivery service. Actually, I could tell right away that most of them did not use a cleaner. Most were wearing dress shirts and it was apparent that they (turns out it was their wife) did the laundry.
Now the age range of the group was 25 - 50 and the over 40 crowd seemed a little more savvy about drycleaning. However many of the younger ones had never even consider it. When I asked if they could think of a more tedious time consuming chore than laundry, I got the impression most of them didn't do their own laundry. Suddenly a light went on - while they already had a housekeeper, they could also get the laundry sent out. What about sheets? Khakis?
They found a new way to be successful and a hero at home! And it was simple.
These were entrepreneurs that made their living by selling their ideas - that pretty much applied to everyone there. How they looked would be key to making a sale to investors, customers (if they met them in person) or their wives. And every one of them wanted to look as successful as they were (Don't get me wrong there won't be any suits anytime soon) and make life better for their family.
What is important in life? All these success stories put their family, their time and their image at the top of the list and that is exactly what a drycleaner can do for you.
Who am I?
For my first entry I thought it would be good to explain how I became the online drycleaning authority. Not everyone who works in drycleaning is a dryclean expert
I am the owner of Ablitt's Fine Cleaners in Santa Barbara, California. Ablitt's is one of America's Best Cleaners and an industry leader. We have over 25,000 active customers at any given time and, because of our spectacular location and proximity to Hollywood, have hundreds of very well known names on our list.
While my Father founded Ablitt's in 1984, drycleaning has been in my family for generations. My grandmother and grandfather met while working at her father's dryclean shop in Washington State. Each generation appears to have tried to go in new directions, but we cannot escape our family heritage. I personally went out and got a ton of education: BS in Engineering from UCLA and an MBA from Thunderbird (AGSIM). I even worked as an engineer and then in corporate finance at Allied Signal for the legendary Larry Bossidy. I am proud to say I am both published and have a patent. I am also happy to be home now!
Besides being born into drycleaning and working in it every day, we attend or hold some sort of training meeting every month. For example, our operation manager was just in Germany at the world famous Hoenstein Institute, there is a convention this weekend, I just visited a CO2 cleaners in Denver, we have trainers in quarterly, and we are having cleaners from around the country visit to study our route model next month.
I am a big believer in continuous learning. Both at work and at home. The only problem is that often we don't realize how much we know. I was recently at a meeting with a bunch of Internet folks. Talking with them (most didn't think they had a need for a drycleaner - more on that later), I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had something to say that at least a few people would be interested in.
I am the owner of Ablitt's Fine Cleaners in Santa Barbara, California. Ablitt's is one of America's Best Cleaners and an industry leader. We have over 25,000 active customers at any given time and, because of our spectacular location and proximity to Hollywood, have hundreds of very well known names on our list.
While my Father founded Ablitt's in 1984, drycleaning has been in my family for generations. My grandmother and grandfather met while working at her father's dryclean shop in Washington State. Each generation appears to have tried to go in new directions, but we cannot escape our family heritage. I personally went out and got a ton of education: BS in Engineering from UCLA and an MBA from Thunderbird (AGSIM). I even worked as an engineer and then in corporate finance at Allied Signal for the legendary Larry Bossidy. I am proud to say I am both published and have a patent. I am also happy to be home now!
Besides being born into drycleaning and working in it every day, we attend or hold some sort of training meeting every month. For example, our operation manager was just in Germany at the world famous Hoenstein Institute, there is a convention this weekend, I just visited a CO2 cleaners in Denver, we have trainers in quarterly, and we are having cleaners from around the country visit to study our route model next month.
I am a big believer in continuous learning. Both at work and at home. The only problem is that often we don't realize how much we know. I was recently at a meeting with a bunch of Internet folks. Talking with them (most didn't think they had a need for a drycleaner - more on that later), I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had something to say that at least a few people would be interested in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)