The more you know about the dry cleaning process, the more we can help you when you bring your garments in to be cleaned. Accordingly, we have compiled a list of frequently asked drycleaning questions which you may find useful.
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Dry Cleaning (But Were Too Afraid To Ask)
No, frequent cleaning actually prolongs the life of a garment. Not only do stains set with age, making the garment unwearable, but ground-in-dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing rapid wear of fibres.
Many stains that are caused by food, oily substances, or beverages may become invisible when they dry out. But later on, with exposure to heat they will reappear (a step in the dry cleaning process). This is caused by the oxidation of the sugar in the staining substance.
To increase the chances of removing the stain, it is recommended that you immediately mark the spot where the spill occurred with a piece of tape to make the dry cleaner aware of the invisible stain. Then, on a piece of paper write what was spilled, and bring it to be cleaned immediately.
Contrary to popular belief, certain stains cannot be removed by the dry cleaning process. The nature and age of the stain, plus the colour and construction of the fabric, sometimes make stains impossible to remove without damaging the fabric.
To increase the chances of removing the stain, it is recommended that you immediately mark the spot where the spill occurred with a piece of tape to make the dry cleaner aware of the invisible stain, on a piece of paper write what was spilled, and bring it to be cleaned immediately.
Many people do not realize that prolonged contact with deodorants and antiperspirants may cause permanent damage. Combined with the effects of perspiration, the damage can be extensive.
The most frequent damage is caused by overuse of these products, or infrequent cleanings. This leads to the buildup of a stiff, caked-up residue or to fabric damage.
To prevent chemical damage, do not overuse the product and allow it to dry before dressing. Wear dress shield with silk garments, and to remove the residue on washable garments, wash as soon as possible after wear in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Soaking in a detergent containing enzymes or an enzyme pre soak may be necessary. If the stain remains, try using three percent hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach, according to fiber type or care label instructions.
Before using, test for colorfastness.
Hairspray and water can remove ballpoint ink, but you may be trading one problem for another. That’s because hairspray could contain alcohol and oils such as resins and lanolin.
The alcohol in the hairspray can cause color damage (especially on silk). Likewise, oils and other ingredients could lead to additional stains.
There is some risk involved in using any care process not recommended by the manufacturer.
Hand washing involves manual removal of soils with water, detergent, and a gentle squeezing action. A care label that calls for machine washing, in a delicate or gentle cycle, indicates the soil can be removed with water, detergent or soap, slow agitation, and reduced time in a washing machine.
Hand washing is a restrictive care process that minimizes the amount of abrasion a garment receives in cleaning. If hand-washable garments are machine washed in a gentle cycle, agitation may be further minimized by putting the item in a net bag.
Even this procedure is in violation of the care label instruction, however, and places responsibility for damages on the launderer rather than the manufacturer.
The Australian Textile Industry covers wearing apparel. Textile garments sold in Australia must have a permanent legible care label and all parts of the garment must be able to withstand the recommended care procedure.
The care label is intended to give the dry cleaner guidance on how to care for the item properly. If a label says “dry clean,” this means that all components including the outer shell, lining, buttons, interfacing fusing material and trim will be colour fast and will not be altered during the cleaning process.
If any such problem occurs, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer, who has not tested the component accurately before labelling.
If the problem arises from a manufacturing defect, you should take the article back to the retailer for an adjustment or refund.