Look your best

Removing Poison Ivy from Clothing

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:13:00 GMT

Q. My daughter had poison ivy last week and I am worried that the clothes she wore will cause her to relapse. Is there anything I can do to be sure she won't get it again from her clothes?

A. Both drycleaning and laundering are acceptable cleaning methods for removing poison ivy from clothing. Laundering is preferred because of the multiple flushes used in this process. Also, it is best to wear gloves and wash the contaminated clothing separately. Casual contact with your daughter's clothing should be okay, but be sure to wash any areas that contact the clothing with soap and water. This precaution will usually prevent a rash from appearing.

Garments must contain sap from the plant to transmit these chemical contaminants, and not all people are sensitive to them. Remember to wash them separately so the poison won’t be able to spread to other garments.

Get with the Program: Recycle Your Hangers

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:09:00 GMT

If you are a frequent drycleaning customer, you may have more hangers in your closet than you know what to do with. Rather than throw out the ones you are not reusing, why not recycle them by returning them to us?

More than just freeing up closet space, recycling hangers is good for the environment — which is one reason many cleaners participate in recycling programs. Most hangers can be steam processed for cleanliness and reused. Hangers that are unsuitable for reuse are often sold for scrap metal to avoid unnecessary waste.

We can do this together – let’s recycle!

Preserving June Wedding Memories

Sun, 06 May 2012 21:29:00 GMT

You carefully planned your wedding. Then you spent hours trying on dresses, finally finding the perfect gown. Once the day is over how do you care for your beautiful dress to either preserve your dress as a keepsake, or perhaps for your own daughter to wear on her wedding day. We are here to help – you will need a professional’s help before storing this treasure.

Beware of invisible stains from food, beverages, and body oil. If these stains are not properly cleaned, they may become permanent. Therefore, it is important to point out any stains or spills to us before cleaning.

Most wedding gowns have some sort of decorative trim. Be sure to inspect these trims with us prior to cleaning since many trims are not made to withstand the dry cleaning process. For example, many beads, glitter, sequins, and laces are attached to gowns with adhesives that dissolve during dry cleaning. Some beads and glitter are made of plastics or covered with surface coatings that are not solvent- resistant. In many of these cases, the trim becomes separated from the dress or altered in some way.

In some cases, decorative trims yellow as their finishes oxidize. An ivory or ecru trim may lose its color and no longer match the gown if a dye component is lost in cleaning. Color failures of this type are due to poor colorfastness of the dye, not to improper cleaning.

Sarni Cleaners has many years' experience in wedding gown alterations, cleaning and preservation/heirlooming. Call us at 1-800-727-6475 or stop by one of our locations for a free consultation.

Spring Cleaning Help!

Sun, 06 May 2012 21:33:00 GMT

Q. During my spring cleaning, I washed my couch cushion cover it is now too small, totally off color, and crumbly on the inside when I got it out of the laundry. What happened?

A. The fabric covering for stuffed furniture and cushions is known as upholstery. The covers on the cushions usually have a zipper, giving rise to the myth that the cushions can be taken out and the cover can be cleaned, much like a pillow case to a bed set. This is not true–in fact, the zipper was put on for the convenience of the manufacturer. Most manufacturers do not expect the cover to be removed from the cushion during use or cleaning.

One should never remove cushion covers for separate dry cleaning or washing. Any tumble cleaning method can destroy the back and shrink or otherwise damage the upholstery fabric. There are several different cleaning methods from spot cleaning to a light rub that can work on upholstery. Since each fabric is different and the correct method is not obviously apparent, the best thing to do is take the item to us with the cushion inside the casing. We will take care of the rest!

Visit our coupons page to get a $10 off coupon for cleaning household items!

Common Sense Rules for Summertime Storage

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:59:00 GMT

Now that winter is over, it’s time to store away all those winter clothes until next season. Follow these simple rules to keep your winter fashions looking good season after season.

Wash and dryclean everything before storage. Some stains that are now invisible may darken with age. Dirt and food are also invitations to insects.
Make all necessary repairs—sew sagging hemlines, replace missing buttons, and fix split seams— before cleaning and storing for the season.
Store all items in a cool, well-ventilated area. Hot attics, damp basements, and garages are to be avoided.
Store away from natural and artificial light. A cool, dark closet is a good location for storage. Store woolens in cedar chests or other airtight containers. Second choices for storage are cloth or canvas bags and cardboard boxes. If you store your garments in a closet, drape a cloth sheet over your clothes to protect them from dust and light. Do not store leathers, furs, and woolens in plastic. Plastic encourages moisture, which can create mildew.
Pack airtight containers (other than cedar chests) with mothballs suspended above or separate from the clothes—never place mothballs directly on the clothes. Cedar blocks or chips also discourage moths.
To decrease wrinkles in sweaters, fold them and wrap in white tissue paper before storing. If you hang your sweaters, fold over the cross bar to avoid shoulder stretches. Down, like all winter clothing, should be cleaned (either washed or drycleaned according to the care label) before storage. Down should be stored loosely to allow for air circulation.
Furs should be stored on a wellpadded hanger in a cool, dark place, ideally with a professional fur storage company or a drycleaner with fur storage capacity.
If you do not have proper storage space, ask us about box storage. You can get your clothes cleaned and properly stored all at the same time.

Wear Scarves to Avoid Soiling the Collar

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:22:00 GMT

One of our recommendations for keeping coats, jackets and blazers in top condition is to wear scarves to avoid soiling the collar, especially for leather and suede coats. Below is a video "25 ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 minutes" from Wendyslookbook. Enjoy!

Removing ink stains from your clothing

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:42:00 GMT

I tried using hairspray and water to get an ink stain out of my dress shirt. It removed the ink, but left a discolored mark where the ink used to be. What happened?

Answer: As you have discovered, using hairspray can remove ink stains, but it can also lead to other problems. Hairspray can contain alcohol and oils which can cause color damage and additional stains, especially on silk. A more appropriate solution would be to ask us to remove the stain. We will test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area before using any stain removal product, blot the stain with a towel until all the bleeding stops, moving the stained area as the towel absorbs the ink. If the stain remains, we can treat it with a mild synthetic detergent and household ammonia.

Not every stain can be removed, but we have the best tools and know-how to maximize the potential for removal.

Moving from Winter to Spring: the Ins and Outs of Storage

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:16:00 GMT

After a long slumber, your spring and summer clothes will need to be awakened and taken out of storage. Warmer clothing, such as long skirts and heavy jackets can be safely tucked away to make room for the less-inhibiting light fabrics of spring.

How your stored spring and summer wardrobe looks when it comes out of storage has a lot to do with what precautions you took when you put it in.

Going In

Sweaters and coats, long skirts, and scarves: all of these items are going to be a little too warm to wear in the spring and summer months to come. Here are some tips to help you store you garments so they will be ready to serve you when we slow back down into next Fall and Winter.

1. Clean the garments to ensure that left over body oils or spills don’t attract insects. Insects can sniff out a spot of ginger ale from miles away and they have ways of getting inside your closet or attic.

2. Fold and store the garments in a dark, well-ventilated area. Do not store in plastic bags. Many dyes fade if exposed to sunlight or artificial light. This is especially true for silk. Fume fading is caused by a reaction of atmospheric oxides of nitrogen with certain dyes, resulting in permanent color change. Make sure your boxes are stored away from exhaust gasses or heating fumes.

3. Make sure the storage area is dry. Mildew is more than just an unpleasant odor. It is a fungus that usually develops on soiled garments or items that are stored in damp or humid conditions. Mildew appears as irregular purple, gray, black or yellow speckled stains.

Coming Out

When you get your garments out of storage, check for any of the above listed damages, and then wake them up. Your warm-weather clothing has been sitting in boxes for a few months by now and it’s time to bring them back to life so you can look your best.

Look for small holes, worn areas, and discolored lines on the portions of the garment that had spills or stains that were never removed. The odor from moth balls or crystals is difficult to remove. Try airing the garments by hanging them outside in the shade. If this does not completely remove the odor, cleaning the garments should bring them back into action

Many people store their clothing in the off-season to keep it safe, but by not taking the proper precautions you could be putting next year’s wardrobe into jeopardy. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially since many of the different types of damage that can befall fabrics while in storage are preventable, but irreversible.

Fur Clothing Care

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:19:00 GMT

Fur clothing is made from animal hides that still have the hair attached. The most common types of fur clothing include fox, mink, sable, rabbit, chinchilla and seal. The presence of hair means that fur clothing requires special care.

Store fur clothing during the summer. This generally requires a refrigerated unit made specifically for this purpose. The ideal temperature for storing fur is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A humidity of 50 percent prevents the fur from drying out without allowing it to become wet.
Avoid keeping fur clothing in regular closets, since closets are typically 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the house. They also don’t provide the constant airflow needed to maintain the conditions needed to store fur.
Keep fur clothing from picking up unpleasant odors. This is especially common with cedar closets and mothballs.
Condition your fur clothing once per year. Fur requires professional cleaning from an expert, like Sarni Cleaners. We offer seasonal fur storage in our secure temperature and humidity controlled vaults.

Cashmere Clothing Care

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:25:00 GMT

Cashmere is a fiber made from the wool of cashmere goats. It is soft and light with excellent insulation. However, these fibers also have a fine texture and are easily damaged. Cashmere clothing therefore requires additional care to keep it looking its best.

Buy a garment made from a blend of ordinary wool and cashmere. This type of clothing will be stronger and last longer than a garment made from pure cashmere.
Consider the length carefully when buying a cashmere coat. A short coat is stylish, but it won’t protect your legs from cold weather. On the other hand, a long hemline will attract debris more easily.
Choose the color of your cashmere garment. The fine fibers of cashmere pick up lint very easily, which is less obvious on darker colors. Everyday cashmere clothing should therefore be dark, and you should reserve light-colored cashmere clothing for special occasions.
Clean cashmere garments more frequently to remove the lint. This type of clothing typically requires dry cleaning.

The Story of Frugal Francine

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:33:00 GMT

Frugal Francine was always looking for ways to save money. She invested in her wardrobe, knowing the value of good design and good designers, but when it came to taking care of her fashionable frocks, Francine figured she would do it on her own.

But that strategy turned tragic and expensive for Francine. Here’s what happened and how you can avoid her mistakes:

The care label on her new silk blouse said dryclean only, but Francine had heard that silks are washable, so she carefully soaked it in the basin with a gentle hand-washing soap. It was ruined.

Read the care label carefully on all garments. Unless the label on a silk garment specifically says that it is washable, don’t douse it at home. If dye bleeds on the shirt because you failed to follow the care label instructions, you'll get soaked - not the manufacturer.

Francine planned ahead for the big meeting with her new boss. Her rayon suit was wrinkled so she hung it up in the bathroom the night before and sprayed it with a plant mister. Then she figured she’d just let the steam do the rest when she showered the next morning. It looked horrible.

Many rayon garments contain dyes and sizing that are sensitive to water and heavy steam. If these items get wet they can be permanently stained or lose their shape. Spritzing these clothes with water can leave permanent stains. Your drycleaner may be able to repair the damage - but there’s no guarantee.

Francine was at her best friend’s house for dinner when she dripped some salad oil on her dress. Quickly she went into the bathroom and rubbed the area with cleaning solvent her friend had on hand. The damage was done!

Never rub a stain. Instead, blot the area carefully - and make sure you test the fabric before using any type of stain removal substance.

Friday afternoon Francine was hurrying to go out and she spilled nail polish on her new linen-blend pants. She knew that stains should be attacked right away so she immediately applied nail polish remover with acetone to the spot. It removed the spot - and a piece of the garment as well.

Acetone, an ingredient in some brands of nail polish, dissolves acetate. Before trying to remove a stain in this manner, test for fiber content. Or use amyl acetate (banana oil) or fingernail polish remover that does not contain acetone and is safe for all fabrics.

It was hot and muggy on the walk home and Francine checked her blouse for perspiration stains. Seeing none, she threw the garment into the hamper for next week’s wash. Francine was horrified to discover a few days later that permanent brown stains had come to light under each arm.

Perspiration, like many other stains, doesn't appear right away. All you have to notice at first is a damp area that dries, leaving an invisible stain that will darken with time.

Please let us help. We'll take the best care of your clothes-everytime!

Six truths about dry cleaning

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:31:00 GMT

1. Club soda is not a cure-all stain remover.

Successful stain removal depends largely on the nature of the stain, the type of fabric, and colorfastness. Home remedies more often makes the situation worse, not better. If you must do something - never rub a stain. Blot the stained area. This may help remove some of the staining substance while avoiding damage to the fabric. Bring a stained garment to us as soon as possible to prevent the stain from setting. We are trained and equipped to deal with stains, and if anyone can safely remove them, we can.

2. There is such a thing as an 'Invisible' Stain.

Some stains caused by beverages, food, or oily substances may not be visible after they dry. But later, with exposure to heat or simply the passage of time, a yellow or brown stain will appear. This is the end result of oxidation or caramelization of sweetening agents. It is the same process that makes a peeled apple turn brown after exposure to air.

Please point out spills such as those from, fruit juice, soft drinks, other beverages and food stains that may not be visible after they are blotted or allowed to dry. 'Invisible stains' require special attention. If we don't know about it we can't fix it, so let us know if you spilled something.

3. It's not ok to put a garment away without being cleaned.

Every year we see garments that weren't "dirty when I put it away for the summer," only to be taken out in the fall full of holes and stains.

The smallest unseen food crumb, body oil, perspiration, or other spillage invites insect damage even in the cleanest of homes.

4. Care labels are not always correct.

Most manufacturers never test garments (they are not required to) before the required care label is attached. The U. S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) only requires that a manufacturer have a 'reasonable basis' for their care instructions. Sometimes it's right and sometimes it's wrong. We always attempt to alert our customer to a potential cleaning problem beforehand.

5. Always clean all matching pieces of a garment or home furnishings at the same time.

We understand that only the pants or skirt was soiled and the jacket was still 'clean.' Or, just the bedspread was dirty. The rest of the bed set did not need cleaning.

However, we strongly suggest that all matching or coordinating items are cleaned at the same time. This way any color changes, however minimal, will be uniform.

6. We're not casual about casual wear.

Sure, you may be able to wash your casual clothing at home, but time spent doing that along with the most hated household chore - ironing - only takes away time from family and other pursuits.

We have the skills and equipment to make your clothes look and feel their best by creating a finish and cleanliness that simply cannot be duplicated with home care.

Does drycleaning shrink clothes?

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:46:00 GMT

Usually not. The drycleaning process is carefully controlled.

Are suede and leather cleaned the same way as other fabrics?

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:44:00 GMT

No. Special procedures and additives are used on leathers to help retain their color and texture. Sometimes suedes and leather are redyed to replace color loss. It is not always possible to replace or match the colors.

Keeping Coats, Jackets, and Blazers in Top Condition

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:20:00 GMT

While your favorite coat may be keeping you warm this month, we all have jackets and blazers that we use through the year and these pieces of clothing can take a beating. The care method for a coat will depend on its fiber content. For example, coats made of wool, leather, and suede may require more care than coats made of other fibers. For the most part, follow these tips to help keep your coats looking great year round:

Wear scarves to avoid soiling the collar, especially for leather and suede coats. Oily stains from hair and skin preparations can permanently stain some fabrics.
Clean the coat whenever it is soiled. Make an effort to clean the coat once during the season and again before storing.
When cleaning, make sure you follow the instructions on the care label. When in doubt, ask your drycleaner.
When storing, hang your coat on a padded hanger in a well-ventilated closet. Avoid hanging a coat by its neck on a coat rack.