Look your best

Neckties are both a fashion statement for men and a problem for cleaners. The fabric used for ties is cut diagonally to the weave, or “on the bias,” so it makes a neat knot when worn around the neck.

Unfortunately, this type of cut is easily distorted or stretched, causing puckering and fullness. In many instances, sizing or finishes are used during manufacturing to stabilize fabrics. If the finish is removed in cleaning, the fabric will lose its shape and stability. In the case of ties, this makes it nearly impossible to return the necktie to a wearable condition.

Sometimes a tie doubles as a bib and collects a variety of stains. Most tie stains require water to remove them. In many cases, the dyes are also affected by water, leading to problems when it comes time to tackle a tough stain. Attempts to remove the stains will likely disturb the dyes.

The several layers used to make neckties prevent quick drying of any particular area. The typical solution is to take the tie apart to work on only one layer at a time, but this can also cause distortions because of the bias cut. When you have trouble cleaning your tie, just call Sarni Cleaners at 1-800-727-6475 or bring it to one of our convenient locations in downtown Boston, Everett and Lynnfield. We'll take care of it for you.

It can. Most wrinkles will hang out on their own, although you can iron leather if you use care. Set the iron on its rayon setting, and use heavy brown wrapping paper as a pressing cloth on top of the area you wish to iron. Wrinkles should come right out. As always, when doing something at home, test your procedure out on a small, inconspicuous section of the garment to see if there will be any problems.Or bring it to Sarni Cleaners.  We'll clean your leather garments for you.

Be careful of what hair care products you are using, especially if you have long hair. You may be damaging your clothing.

For example, sometimes after cleaning, a mysterious color loss appears on the garment that seems to have no explanation.

Usually, this color loss or color change is localized in the neckline, shoulder or back area of the garment. It appears as a white, cream, pink, or yellowish fading in these areas. Depending on the original color of the fabric, the color change could appear as other shades.

This type of color loss develops when some of the chemicals from a permanent wave solution or similar hair care product come into contact with the fabric during consumer use. Many of these hair care products contain oxidizing agents that may eventually cause color loss on fabrics. The staining may not be visible at first, showing up after a period of time, because these styling products often are colorless when the solution contacts the fabric. The discoloration is accelerated by the heat of cleaning and pressing, and after subsequent cleanings it may become noticeable.

Of course, the only sure means of prevention is to protect the clothing from contact with these chemicals in the first place. But if we are informed beforehand that there may be some hair care solutions on the fabric and of their general location, the area can be identified upon close examination. Then the staining can be treated prior to cleaning, thus possibly reducing the color damage. Once the color loss develops on a fabric, though, there is no restoration.  When in doubt, call Sarni Cleaners at 1-800-727-6475 for our wash and fold or drycleaning service.  Save time by scheduling a free pickup and delivery service with us.  We'll take care of your clothing for you!

It’s hard to believe that it is already nearly back-to-school season. Soon it will be time to pull out those sweaters, wool coats, and mittens.  Sweaters and coats can gather musty smells in storage. Fine haired sweaters can get pressed flat in the heat of the attic or under some other storage items in a closet. After getting the items out of storage, check for fading or small holes (the result of insect bites). If your garments look good then your clothes survived the storage, but they’ll need a little bit of “freshening” to get you back in fall style.

A professional cleaning rejuvenates your clothes, imbues them with a “like new” appearance, and helps extend the life of your garments. Soils can collect in the fibers of clothing and wear away at the delicate threads until a hole eventually develops. Drycleaning removes the soils that home washers can’t.

Relief from the hot days of summer and the chance to begin anew can be very invigorating, especially for students and educators. Wearing a favorite sweater for the first time in a year is like getting to see an old friend after a long hiatus.To look your best, always clean your clothing before putting them away for the next season. Sarni Cleaners offers off-season garment storage, as well as fur storage in our secure temperature and humidity controlled vaults.

Linen, known for its crisp, smooth finish, is a popular spring and summer fabric. Unfortunately, with that crisp finish comes with the tendency to wrinkle easily, and manufacturers have responded by producing linen with blends of other fabrics to help make linens more wrinkle resistant. These blends offer two advantages over pure linen-they are able to retain crispness and they are softer and more comfortable to wear. As a general rule, blends are less expensive than pure linen.
 
Linen blends often require special attention, based on the individual fabrics used in the blend. Be sure to check the care label carefully and care for accordingly. Linen blended with polyester may respond very well to a washing procedure, while linen blended with silk usually requires drycleaning.
 
One of the problems with linen is the removal of stains. For example, many napkins and tablecloths contain a high percentage of polyester, and these fibers attach themselves to oils and greases. If these stains are left on the fabric for some time before the article is washed, a yellow stain may appear.
 
In some cases, we can rejuvenate a linen article. Drycleaning can be very effective in removing these stains. However, if the stain is left on the fabric for a long time, or subjected to previous washing and drying cycles, the stain may be permanent.
 

With the arrival of hot, sunny days comes the need for sunscreens and suntan lotions. While most of us use these products to help protect our skin from the sun, others use them to enhance their skin tone.
 
Unfortunately, the components found in most sunscreens and suntan lotions can stain fabrics. Most of these skin care products contain oils to make them moisture-resistant. They may also contain dyes to give them a certain color or to allow the skin to darken.
 
Initially, stains caused by these products may be invisible, but age and/or the heating of cleaning may cause them to become more apparent.
 
To prevent these stains, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. The general rule of thumb is to allow the sunscreen to dry before it contacts a garment. Also wash your hands before handling garments to avoid possible staining. However, it is important to note that despite these precautions, some residue may still transfer to clothing through perspiration.
 
The oil component of these lotions may not be easily removed in normal washing or drycleaning procedures, but appropriate stain removal techniques can be successful. For this reason, please let us know if sunscreens or tanning lotions may have contacted any of your garments. This additional information will make us both happier when you come to pick up your order!
 

Most grass stains can be removed by simply washing the item according to the care instructions, especially if the stain is fresh. But if the stain has been allowed to set or proves to be difficult to remove, you may need to try other treatments.
 
Treat the stain as soon as possible, using a pretreatment product from your local grocery store. Test the product for colorfastness by applying to an unexposed area. Let stand for five minutes, then rinse. If the color is affected, don't use the product. Also check the label on your laundry detergent for pre-treatment instructions. To remove any last traces of the stain, an all-fabric bleach may be necessary. Again, remember to test for colorfastness. Bleach the entire garment following the manufacturer's instructions, then launder as usual.
 

We're well into the baseball season and your favorite player's cap may be looking a bit dingy.  While most components of the baseball uniform, such as shirts, pants, and socks, are machine washable, what about baseball caps? The preferred method of care is to simply hand wash the cap with a mild dish detergent, rinse, and air dry.
 
Machine washing on a gentle cycle may be another option; however, this tends to be rough on the brim of the hat and can bend, distort, or even tear from the agitation of the machine. The plastic, adjustable hooks on the back of the hat may also pose a problem, as they tend to melt at higher drying temperatures.
 
A plastic cap form that fits in and around the cap to hold its shape is also available. The form allows you to wash the cap in an ordinary dishwasher, which keeps the brim from getting bent or distorted during the wash cycle. Be sure to choose a dishwashing detergent that does not contain chlorine bleach.
 
Before attempting to clean any cap, test for colorfastness by applying a small amount of detergent and water to an inconspicuous area and blot the area with a white cloth. If any traces of dye appear on the cloth, it may not be safe to clean the cap.
 

Sarni Cleaners is proud to announce the Grand Opening of our new Newbury Street location on May 31, 2011. The address is 245 Newbury Street, next to Deluca's Market. Our hours will be Monday-Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am - 5pm. Same day service is available - bring your dry cleaning to us before 9am and pick it up after 5pm. There will also be a seamstress on premise for alteration. Come visit us or call us at 617-247-8898. We are happy to be at your service!

Spring and summer bring out the brightest of colors - reds, pinks, yellows, purples, blues, and especially whites. If you want to keep your whites bright and looking good, read on.
 
In their natural state, many fabrics have an off-white or yellowish cast and are, therefore, often bleached to remove their natural color. Manufacturers often add optical brighteners which make fabrics appear whiter and brighter. Occasionally, these agents break down, causing the fabric to revert to its natural off-white or yellowish color.
 
Exposure to light can break down fluorescent brighteners, causing the areas not exposed to light to be unaffected. Thus, the front of a sweater laid out to dry in the sun may turn yellow while the back remains white. Once this happens, it usually can't be corrected.
 
Graying of whites is another story. Dingy-looking whites are most often caused by incomplete soil removal over an extended period of time despite repeated washing. This can be caused by any or all of the following:

• Too little detergent
• Overloading the washing machine
• Water temperature too low
• Sorting clothes incorrectly

To remove this soil buildup and restore whiteness, take the following steps with washable items:

• Use the hottest temperature of water acceptable for the fabric
• Add 1-2 cups water conditioner
• Add detergent
• Add clothes and run through a complete wash and rinse cycle