Look your best

 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.

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!

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.

 

 

You’re sick with a cough or cold, but you have to go to work because those office deadlines won’t wait.

Or you cut yourself and need some first aid. Then you spill cough syrup, topical ointment, or cream on one of your favorite outfits. Here’s a quick fix until you can get the garment to the drycleaner or home to wash: blot as much of the stain as possible with an absorbent cloth or paper towel.

Cough syrup stains on washable garments will usually come out with a laundry pretreatment product. After washing, check the stained area before tumble drying. If traces of the stain remain, an all-fabric bleach may help.

Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Stains from some products will usually come out with thorough rinsing in cool water. Topical ointments or creams will usually be removed by treating with a laundry pretreatment product and washing with a laundry detergent containing enzymes at the hottest water temperature that is safe for the fabric.

Remember to always test in an unexposed area of the garment to make sure the fabric color will not be damaged by any stain removal products you will be using.

For drycleanable garments, bring them to Sarni Cleaners us as soon as possible. Because of the nature of some dyes and fibers, some medicinal stains may be impossible to remove completely.

Traditional Halloween costumes— ghosts, goblins, and ghouls—are simple to clean, but what do you do with the more intricate costumes for both children and adults? Many of these garments are custom made with various fabrics and trims and have no care label. Careful examination and testing may help to predict the serviceability and practicality of cleaning the costume.

Whenever possible, pre-treat stains caused by cosmetics, paint, and hair colorings, as well as food or beverage stains. Many waxes or crayons are not easily removed by home stain removal.

If a care label is present on the costume, follow the instructions carefully. If no label is present, test the fabric to any washing solutions you may use. If seams are durable and there are no unusual trims or unusual features, such as lofty layers, rough beads or baubles, wash on gentle cycle and hope for the best.

Some trims may need to be removed prior to washing.

Hand washing may be safer for costumes of questionable construction since agitation will lead to excessive pilling on soft, fuzzy fabrics and cause trims to tangle or snag. Fill a large tub with water and a small amount of mild detergent.

Remove excess moisture with towels or by running the garment on spin cycle. After washing, hang costumes to dry instead of tossing them in the dryer.

Cleaning the entire costume may not be necessary. We may be able to remove local stains and freshen underarm areas without immersing the garment, and be able to remove wrinkles from gathered areas or around trims.

Then you can relax and enjoy the memories of wearing the costume rather than the horrors of cleaning it!

Poor cleaning of garments after laundering can result from several factors. Failing to sort loads properly, overloading the washer, not pre-treating stains and soils, or not using enough detergent can all result in poor cleaning.

You can also improve cleaning performance by following these tips:

• Soak soiled and stained items in cold water prior to the wash cycle to improve cleaning results.
• Use the double wash feature (if available) to clean heavily soiled items without having to pre-treat stained areas.
• Choose the correct detergent. Granular detergents are best for hard water conditions, while liquid detergents dissolve better in cold water conditions.
• Use extra detergent. For heavily soiled clothes, extra large loads, or hard water, use more than the recommended amount of detergent. Remember to use caution when laundering dark loads.
• If the care label does not contain special instructions regarding water temperature, use hot water whenever possible. Hot water is best for most white fabrics and heavily soiled, colored fabrics. Warm water works well for cleaning most other clothes, while cold water is recommended only for very lightly soiled or brightly colored garments.
• If using bleach, such as chlorine bleach or “all fabric” bleach, remember to test the fabric for colorfastness. Simply place some bleach on a cotton swab and hold it on an innocuous area of the garment, such as an inner seam, for a few minutes to see if any color comes out on the swab.

 

 

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.