The Top Ten Ways You Can Help Us Care For Your Clothes
Have your clothes cleaned frequently. This actually prolongs their life… as soil and stains left too long are sometimes impossible to remove and will cause abrasion of the fabric and can wear out the fibers.
Discuss any stains with your dry cleaner. Be especially sure to point out light-coloured or invisible spills such as from soft drinks or white wine. These stains contain sugar, which can caramelize and turn brown with the heat of drying unless flushed out before dry cleaning.
Bring your garments in for professional care as soon possible after staining occurs.
Avoid letting your garments come in contact with products containing alcohol such as perfumes, hair spray, colognes and lotions. When these products dry they are invisible and will leave spots after being cleaned. Always apply these products before getting dressed and allow them to dry.
Allow deodorants and antiperspirants to dry before dressing.
Protect your clothing from excessive perspiration. The chloride salts in perspiration can seriously weaken delicate fabrics and can also cause dyes to change colors.
Protect your clothing from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or strong artificial light. Bright colors, especially blues and greens tend to oxidize and fade.
Never iron stained or soiled clothing…this only sets the stain.
Do not store your clothing in plastic bags. Fabrics, especially natural ones like cotton and linen need to breathe. Keep the paper shoulder covers on clothing if your are storing them for the season. This will keep dust and damaging light off your garment.
If possible, try to have matching garments cleaned together. This applies to clothing as well as to household items such as bedspreads, pillow shams and draperies.
ACID – Neutralize with weak solution of water and bicarbonate soda or ammonia ADHESIVE TAPE – Lighter fluid ALCOHOL – Luke warm water with detergent ANIMAL STAINS – Sponge with warm water - add a few drops of ammonia if colour is affected BATTERY ACID – Neutralize with weak solution water and bicarbonate soda or ammonia. BEER – Sponge with warm water BLOOD – Cold water BUTTER – Carbon tetrachloride or lighter fluid BEETROOT – Sponge weak solution of common salt and cold water CARBON PAPER – Carbon tetrachloride or lighter fluid CHOCOLATE – Sponge warm water and detergent - if on surface allow to dry and brush off CHEWING GUM – Kerosene or turpentine COFFEE COCOA – Sponge immediately with warm water and detergent COOKING OIL – See vegetable oil CRAYON – See carbon paper CREAM – Sponge with cold water and detergent - if necessary follow with carbon tetrachloride when dry CUTICLE REMOVER – Sponge weak solution water and vinegar or acetic acid DEODORANTS – Sponge solution warm water, detergent and ammonia DYE STAINS – Call Valet Express Cleaning for pick-up at your earliest convenience ENAMEL – See paint EGG – Cold water and detergent EYEBROW PENCIL – See carbon paper FLY SPECKS – Sponge with solution of warm water, detergent and bicarbonate soda FOOD STAINS – Sponge with warm water and detergent FRUIT STAINS – Weak solution water and acetic acid or vinegar GLUE – See adhesive tape GRASS – Warm water and detergent GRAVY – See food stains. GREASE – Lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride HAIR DYE – See dye stains ICE CREAM – Sponge cold water and detergent - when dry follow with carbon tetrachloride INDELIBLE PENCIL – Call Valet Express Cleaning for pick-up at your earliest convenience – Avoid contact and keep moist by covering immediately with paraffin or light lubrication oil INK MARKING – See indelible pencil INK BALL PEN – See carbon paper JAM – Warm water JELLY – Sponge with water TOMATO SAUCE – Sponge with warm water and detergent LIPSTICK – Carbon tetrachloride - if necessary follow with solution warm water, detergent and ammonia MASCARA – See carbon paper MAYONNAISE – Weak solution detergent with ammonia MEAT JUICES – Weak salt and water solution MILDEW – Wash well - white wool garments can be treated with weak solution hydrogen peroxide; white cotton garments with weak solution chlorine MILK – Cold water and detergent MUSTARD – See mayonnaise NAIL POLISH & REMOVER – Dangerous to acetate fabrics - sponge off with amyl acetate NICOTINE – Weak solution warm water, detergent and bicarbonate soda OIL (VEGETABLE), SALAD, OLIVE, SOYA BEAN – Sets unless quickly treated – do not use water and keep moist with kerosene or light oil (paraffin) prior to pick-up by Valet Express Cleaning OIL (MINERAL) LUBRICATING – Carbon tetrachloride or lighter fluid or amyl - Call Valet Express Cleaning for pick-up at your earliest convenience PAINT – Light surface stains may be removed with turpentine, otherwise treat as indelible pencil PERFUME – Wash solution water and bicarbonate soda PERSPIRATION – See perfume SHOE AND FURNITURE POLISH – See paint RUST – Call Valet Express Cleaning for pick-up SOFT DRINK – See beer SOOT – Use stiff dry brush and follow with carbon tetrachloride or lighter fluid TAR – Either turpentine, benzol or kerosene - if not successful treat as paint TEA – Sponge immediately with solution warm water and detergent - do not use petrol, tetrachloride, etc URINE – Weak solution water, detergent and bicarbonate soda or ammonia VARNISH – See paint VOMIT – Warm water and detergent WAX – Carbon tetrachloride or lighter fluid WINE – See alcohol WHISKY – See alcohol
For long life, have clothes dry cleaned on a regular basis
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Point out special stains to driver
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Avoid hard rubbing which may damage colours or fabric
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Place absorbent pad under material and sponge carefully when using this technique
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Do not iron while garments are damp
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Liquid detergents are recommended rather than soaps which may contain alkalis
Disclaimer:
Although the abovementioned are proven cleaning techniques, Valet Express Cleaning accepts no responsibility for any damage. Any person wishing to apply them does so at their own risk, with no liability on our part.
