Silk & Rayon
Silk is a delicate fabric that is light weight and easily "breathes".
Rayon is a man made fabric that is "silk-like" but is a fraction of the cost.
Perspiration causes significant damage to both materials, especially silk. It can alter the color and disintegrate or weaken the silk. These stains should be removed immediately to avoid permanent discoloration.
Fading, due to exposure to sunlight, occurs rapidly to silk and rayon. Fading specifically affects shoulders, collars and sleeves.
Both fibers dry clean very well provided the manufacturer tested the garment for fading and other color issues.
Stain Removal
Stain removal depends upon various issues such as the type of fabric, dyes and the natures of the stain. All fabrics and dyes may not be able to withstand the use of cleaning agents. As a means of assisting us in the stain removal process, we recommend the following:
- Inform us of the location of any stains as well as any procedures you have used to treat them.
- Bring in a garment with stains ASAP to prevent the further setting of the stain.
- Never put a stained garment away. The warmth of a wardrobe as well as general exposure to nature or artificial light, allow for a stain to set more quickly.
- Do not iron stained or soiled clothes. This also causes stains to set.
- Do not attempt to remove a stain at home without testing the garment for colorfastness.
- Never rub a stain- blot the area to avoid spreading or you may remove color from the fabric.
Seasonal Clothing Storage
With the changing of the seasons comes the changing of your wardrobe. Following are some tips for storing your summer garments.
Always clean your clothes before you store them, either by laundering or professionally dry cleaning. Many food and beverage stains as well as body oils left on the garment may oxidize over time and can leave a yellow or brown stain. Once these stains oxidize they are difficult if not impossible to remove. In addition, insects are attracted to these types of stains and can cause fabric damage.
Do not store your garments in plastic bags. Plastic prevents air circulation and may allow moisture to collect and mildew to form. Use the dust covers that come with your drycleaning orders to protect garments from dust.
Avoid storing clothing where they can be exposed to potential problems such as the following.
Light Fading: Many dyes are sensitive to sunlight or artificial light and may fade in a relatively short time. Fading occurs on only one side of the fabric and only where the edge is exposed to the light source. Fading cannot be corrected. To prevent it do not store clothing in direct sunlight and make sure the closet light is turned off.
Fume Fading: Much like light fading, but it appears as a color change instead of color loss. Fume fading occurs when garments are exposed to by-products of combustion such as exhaust and heating fuels. Also like light fading, it cannot be reversed. To prevent fume fading do not store clothing near ducts, furnaces, chimneys or in garages.
Chose the correct method of storing.
Knitted garments should be folded, never hung. Fold as little as necessary and fold on seams if possible.
The Dirt on the Dry Cleaning
Have you ever been told that too much cleaning can reduce the life of your clothes? Claims have been made stating that agitation, heat and chemicals can have a negative effect on the life expectancy of clothes. The truth is cleaning can help prolong the life of your clothing.
Here are some facts.
Stains set with age by cleaning your garments frequently, stains are much more likely to be removed. In addition, ground-in dirt and soil act like abrasives, or sandpaper, on your clothes and will cause rapid wear of fibers. Always clean your clothes before you store them, either by laundering or professionally dry cleaning. Many food and beverage stains as well as body oils left on the garment may oxidize over time and can leave a yellow or brown stain. Once these stains oxidize they are difficult if not impossible to remove. In addition, insects are attracted to these types of stains and can cause fabric damage.
Insects like stains, microscopic insects love to feed on your clothes. They are attracted to unattended stains and can cause damage to fibers. Frequent cleaning keeps clothes fresh and insect free.
A person is more likely to wear out a garment with regular wearing before it will wear out from frequent cleaning.
Don't Press It - some people think that pressing a garment is all that needed to make it look wearable again, but if you press an item before it is cleaned it is very likely that stains and other dirt, such as body oils, will be set permanently.
Proper care and regular cleaning of your clothes really does extend their life and keep you looking your best.
Common Misconceptions about Dry Cleaning
Dry Cleaners should be able to get out all stains and make my garment look like new again
Not true, the company may own good equipment and have knowledgeable and skilled staff but is the stain has been previously tampered with it may have been "set in".
Also it can depend upon the age of the stain and the type of fabric.
Suggest you take your stained garment to your dry cleaner ASAP.
If something goes wrong with my garment it must be the Dry Cleaners fault
Our experts understand that there are times when you can't rely on care label sewn in garments. In some instances labels stated the wrong fabric type or recommended washing instructions, because when the garments were made quotas and workers have to work at such a fast pace or risk losing their job and they sew on the most conveniently accessible label.
However, at Ridge Cleaners our plant manager has over 20 years experience which can help to minimize "bad experiences".
My Quilts and blankets Etc. are washable and don't need dry cleaning
Your clothes, curtains, bedspreads etc. harbor hundreds of thousands of dust mites. Why should you care about dust mites? Because the number one enemy of allergy sufferers is in the dust mite.
These microscopic creatures can double their numbers in 10 hours and feed off human skin flakes. That means that your clothing, curtains, bedding etc. are a dust mite nursery!
In fact, one tenth of the weight of your 2 year old pillow is dust mite feces!
Dust mite feces is responsible for coughing, sneezing, headaches and itching symptoms common to allergies. Unlike pollen, dust mite allergens attack all year. That's why frequent extensive cleaning of your clothes, blankets, curtains etc. is recommended.
Numerous studies have shown that dry cleaning is the simplest, least expensive and most effective means to reduce dust mite allergens and relieve allergy and asthma symptoms.
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