
Menu
Home
Services
Hours
Delivery/Pick Up
Garment Care
About us
Contact us
Index of Fibers
Acetate
Acrylic
Cotton
Linen
Lyocell
Microfibers
Mohair
Nylon
Polyester
Polyolefin(Olefin)
Rayon
Silk
Spandex
Triacetate
Wool
|
Apparel & Fabric Care
Below is a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to garment care along with an index to fabric care
by fiber. The following are general care tips for cleaning and caring for fabrics containing natural
and man-made fibers used in apparel and home fashions. Always read and follow the care
instructions and any warning on the garment/fabric label.
|
DO...DO...DO...
save
the care tags that come with garments you buy. Show them to your
drycleaner for their guidance...and take note of instructions that have
to do with home care.
brush
your clothes regularly and thoroughly.
dry
rain-soaked or damp garments thoroughly in a cool, well ventilated place
before hanging in closet.
have
garments dry-cleaned regularly...even nominal accumulation of perspiration,
grease, grit and dust particles impair the attractiveness and longevity
of a garment. Garments cleaned regularly last longer.
take
stained garments to your drycleaner immediately. Exposure to air, heat
and light sets stains and can make their removal impossible.
when
a garment has been stained, tell your drycleaner about the staining substance;
it is important for successful stain removal.
|
|
DON'T...DON'T...DON'T...
press
a garment if it's stained. The heat of pressing will set the stain
and likely make it's removal impossible.
hang
knitted garments. Hanging pulls them out of shape and causes a sagging
hemline. Knits are best stored in a drawer...or folded over a padded
hanger.
use
untested (or even tested) home stain removers. They can aggravate
the condition, or may create permanent damage like color loss. Take
the garment to your drycleaner.
use
nail polish remover to remove nail polish stains. You will probably
damage the garment's dye, or if the garment is an acetate , nail polish
remover can create a hole in the fabric.
store
garments at home without having them cleaned and mothproofed before storage.
Be sure that the storage boxes or cedar chests used are kept in a cool
dry place.
use
an underarm deodorant without using a shield to protect the garment from
the deodorant. Allow the deodorant to dry before putting on the
garment.
|
ACETATE
Most acetate garments should be dry-cleaned. Some knits are washable. If laundering is indicated, use the following guide:
- Hand wash in warm water with mild suds.
- Do not twist or wring out the garment.
- Do not soak colored items.
- Press while damp on the wrong side with a cool iron. if finishing the right side use a pressing cloth.
- Circular knits should be laid flat to dry.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Note: Acetate is adversely affected by acetone and other organic solvents, such as nail polish remover and perfumes containing such solvents.
Return to Index
ACRYLIC
Acrylic garments may be washed or dry cleaned.
- When machine washing, use warm water setting and add a fabric softener during the final rinse cycle.
- Machine dry at low temperature. Remove from dyer as soon as garments are dry.
- Wash delicate items by hand in warm water. Static electricity can be reduced by using s fabric softener in every third or fourth washing. Gently squeeze out water, smooth or shake out garment and let dry on a non-rust hangar. Sweaters and circular knits should be dried flat.
- If ironing is required, use moderately warm iron.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
COTTON
- Cotton can be easily laundered. It can withstand high temperatures (boiling water does not hurt the fiber).
- Any good detergent can be used to wash cotton.
- Chlorine bleach can be used safely on cotton whites. Use color safe bleach on dyed cottons.
- Since cotton fibers are fairly inelastic cotton fabrics may wrinkle easily. And, fabric may need frequent pressing.
- However, cotton fabric can be treated with a wrinkle resistant finish to create a more resilient fabric/garment. The label will tell you if this finish has been applied.
- A higher heat setting is needed in the dryer to dry cotton. Cotton will take much longer to dry than less absorbent fibers.
- Cotton can be ironed with a hot iron, and does not scorch easily
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
LINEN
- Some linens are washable, while others are dry clean only. Be sure to check the label.
- Washable household linen, handkerchiefs, and linen apparel can be washed easily and become softer with use.
- White linens should be dried in the sun, if to help them to keep their whiteness.
- Generally speaking, dry cleaning is recommended for drapery linens, upholstery linens and decorative linens.
- Linen fabrics may need frequent pressing, unless treated for crease resistance. (Permanent press and soil release finishes are now being used effectively on 65% linen/35% polyester tablecloths, napkins and placemats.).
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
LYOCELL
Lyocell garments may be either machine washable and dryable or drycleanable. Read the label.
- Washable lyocell has the strength and ease of care of other easy-care fabrics.
- Machine wash and dry at low temperature. Remove from dryer as soon as the garment is dry.
- If ironing is required, use a moderately warm iron.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
MICROFIBERS
Acrylic, nylon and polyester microfibers are machine washable, machine dryable or drycleanable
Follow the instructions for washing fabrics consisting of these individual fibers.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
NYLON
Most items made from nylon can be machined washed and tumbled dried at low temperatures.
- Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.
- To minimize static electricity use a dyer sheet when machine drying.
- Remove articles from the dyer as soon as the tumbling cycle is completed.
- If ironing is required, use a warm iron.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
POLYESTER
Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and dried.
- Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.
- Machine dry at low temperature setting and remove articles as soon as the tumbling cycle is complete.
- If ironing is needed, use a moderately warm iron.
- Most items made from polyester can be dry-cleaned.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
POLYOLEFIN (OLEFIN)
Most items can be washed or dry-cleaned.
- Most stains can be readily be removed by wiping, using lukewarm water and detergent.
- If fabric is machine washed, it should be line dried or tumbled dried with gentle or no heat.
- Do not iron.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
RAYON
Most rayon garments should be dry-cleaned, but some types of fabric and garment construction are such that they can be hand or machine washed. For washable items, use the following as a guide:
- Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the article.
- Smooth or shake out the article and place on a non-rust hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters should be laid flat to dry.
- Press the article while damp on the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If finishing on the right side is required, a press cloth should be used.
- Between wearings, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
SILK
Only pre-washed silk is washable. Read the label!
- Dry cleaning is generally preferred, since laundering detergent and dyes in other clothes may adversely affect silk fabric.
- For washable silk, follow the care instructions carefully.
- For items without linings and without embellishments attached, careful handwashing is permissable, with mild soap and lukewarm water.
- Chlorine bleach should never be used on silk.
- For long-time storage, silk should be sealed against light, air and insects.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
SPANDEX
- Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water.
- Do not use chlorine bleach on any fabric containing spandex. Use a color safe bleach only.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Drip dry. If machine drying, use low temperature setting.
- If ironing is required, iron rapidly and don't leave the iron in one place too long. Use a low temperature setting on the iron.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
TRIACETATE
- Pleated garments are best hand laundered. Most other garments containing 100% triacetate can be machine washed.
- If ironing is needed, a high temperature setting may be used.
- Articles containing triacetate require little care due mainly to the fiber's resistance to high temperature.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
Return to Index
WOOL
- Give wool garments a 24-hour rest between wearings. Hang on shaped or padded hangers, leaving lots of space. In general, wool fibers will shed wrinkles and return to their orginal shape
- Empty pockets, remove belts and hang with closures zipped and buttoned.
- Fold knits.
- Brush wool to remove surface soil. Use a damp sponge for knits and finer fabrics.
- Refresh wool garments quickly after wearing or unpacking by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove wrinkles.
- If wool gets wet, dry the garment at room temperature away from heat. If there's a nap, brush with the nap.
- Remove spots and stains promptly.
- Keep moths away by storing wool with fresh cedar blocks.
- Dry clean once a season(or when stained), and especially before storing.
- Always steam when pressing wool. Use the wool setting. Avoid pressing wool totally dry. When possible, press on the reverse side of the fabric. When necessary to press on the right side, use a press cloth to avoid a shine. Lower and lift the iron, don't slide it back and forth. Prevent imprinting inside detail by placing a piece of brown paper or tissue paper under folds, seams or darts.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.)
|