Beware the Invisible Stain!

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Have you ever discovered a new stain on your clothes after you have picked them up from your local dry cleaner? In almost every case, you’ve become the victim of an invisible stain. So we’re here to help clear up any questions and explain how the new stain on your favorite clothing item magically appeared after visiting your dry cleaner.

What is the cause of an invisible stain?

We’ve all spilled soda, salsa, sauce or some type of food item on our clothes at some point in time.  We try to scrub it out with water or a detergent pen, let it sit, the stain will normally dry after a few moments, and disappears after it dries. You’re relieved and think you’re a stain-fighting super hero!

We hate to burst your bubble, but unfortunately, the stain is still there, hidden deep in the fabric – it has become invisible, only to reappear when you least expect.

What’s the deal? How do stains come and go?

The secret is heat. Heat is notorious for making sugar stains caramelize and oil stains oxidize and will turn your invisible stain into a noticeable eyesore almost instantly. Once the stained garment is ironed or placed in the dryer or under the iron, the stain you thought you had taken care of immediately comes back to the surface!

How can I eliminate this type of stain?

It’s very difficult to remove these stubborn stains after they are formed, but not impossible. As usual, you should address the stain immediately once a spill takes place and bring the garment to your dry cleaner’s attention as soon as possible. A trained professional at Deluxe Cleaners will be able to help you save your garment!

Outerwear Care Tips

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The cold weather will linger in Alabama through the month of March and that means you need to maintain your winter coats and keep them ready for everyday use. You cannot care for outerwear the same way you do your other laundry. Dry cleaning is the best method, but there are ways you can care for your jackets and coats to keep them looking good for years to come.

Down Jackets
Many people have down jackets because they are durable and extremely warm. These jackets require extra special care and professional dry cleaners will be able to do the best job. If you have a washing machine without a center spindle, you can wash a down jacket on the gentle cycle. You should run it through the washer once without soap and a second time with special down detergent. Allow the water to drain out and apply gentle pressure with a clean towel. The jacket can go into the dryer on low setting but remember to remove the jacket and fluff the down from time to time.

Trench Coats
Trench coats do not provide as much protection against cold temperatures but they are excellent at shedding water, so they offer great protection in the rain or snow. Trench coats should be hand washed with cold water. They need to go to a dry cleaner for seasonal or major cleaning.

Wool Coats
Wool is durable but should never be put in a washing machine. Remove dust and dirt with a suede brush and always hang a wool coat when it is not in use. If you spill liquid on it, blot the affected area with a clean cloth without rubbing. Have the coat dry cleaned if you cannot remove the stain.

Fur Coats
Fur requires special care for cleaning as well as storage. Fur outerwear should be covered by a loose garment bag with an open bottom. Never store it in plastic, and protect it from heat, direct sunlight and moisture. A furrier has the best facilities for storage during the summer. Contact a fur specialist to have it cleaned properly.

Selecting the Best Dry Cleaning Service in Your Area

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how to find a quality dry cleaner - deluxe cleaners, birmingham, alWhen searching for a quality dry cleaner, the following tips should be considered:

The quality of service is the most important consideration when choosing a new shop. When dropping off your belongings, the clerk should inquire about any existing stains that need to be treated. The manner that your clothing is kept track of is also an important element to the service quality, as well as having the clothing looking and smelling clean in a timely manner.

It is important that you take the time to clear out your pockets and to check for stains so that you can point them out to the clerk.

Checking your ticket to make sure that all of your items are accounted for is your responsibility. It is important that you return to the shop with your garment ticket and check your garments against the list to make sure that everything is included.

Do not hesitate to take the extra time to check the quality of work before leaving the shop.

TIP: Make sure to take quick action with any stains that you encounter as they happen.

How to Properly Store Seasonal Clothes

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Deluxe Cleaners Birmingham - Once it begins to warm up, it is time to pack your winter clothes away. Most of us simply toss our coats, sweaters and gloves in a box, on a shelf, or in the spare bedroom until they are used again next year. However, there is a right way to store clothes, and the following tips will ensure your clothes are ready to be worn next winter:

1.   Dirt and other items left on your clothes when you put them in storage can stain them, especially after several months. Always clean or dry clean your winter/summer clothes prior to storing, and another advantage of cleaning your clothes is that they are less likely to attract insects.

2.    Although you can use plastic containers to store your clothes in, any bugs or larvae left in clothing will be more of a problem. New and clean cardboard boxes are a better storage solution, and even better are suitcases that have been cleaned thoroughly. Use acid free tissue to line the containers.

3.   Mothballs can be useful, although you should be careful that small children and pets do not eat them. Cedar lined storage, or cedar blocks are both perhaps a safer option than mothballs, although ultimately, whether you use cedar or mothballs, there is no way to completely guarantee their effectiveness.

4.   If they are left hanging for several months, sweaters and other items can become misshapen. A better idea is to fold and stack them in your containers, with the heaviest items at the bottom, a technique which allows air to circulate.

5.   Use the extra hanging loops, if you do hang clothes, to minimize the chances of misshapen clothes. Allow clothing to breathe, by wrapping in fabric, rather than plastic bags. If your clothes have room to breathe, they are less likely to become creased and wrinkled, and there is less chance of mold and mildew.

6.   An ideal storage area for clothing should be cool, clean, dry and dark, and the ideal area is not too close to a source of heat or damp. A dark area will keep your clothing cool and can prevent fading. Wherever you store clothes, always clean the area beforehand.

 

Stop by one of our many Birmingham locations to have one of our professional cleaners guide you on proper storage of your favorite seasonal clothing.

Tips For Treating General Clothing Stains

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Deluxe Cleaners, Dry Clean Birmingham, Stain Removal tipsRemoving tough stains can feel as difficult as a really involved algebra equation.  Once you have actually determined the type of stain that you are dealing with, the fabric requirements and color scheme, the actual stain removal process can feel impossible.  These 10 basic rules for getting stains out will help you to keep your clothes in phenomenal condition.

1.  Take Immediate Action
Addressing stains while they are still fresh help to make removing them much easier.  Take control by addressing stains as quickly after they occur as is possible.  If you have stained a fabric that is non-machine washable, they should be taken to the dry cleaners right away.  You should inform the dry cleaners about the stain and detail how the stain occurred.

2.  Adhere To Instructions

If you are using a stain removal product, make certain to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.  You should also follow the directions on the actual articles as well.

3.  Conduct Hidden Tests

Never simply slather a stain removal product on your clothes.  Instead, test a small amount on a hidden area of the garment before using it to make certain that no color change occur.

4.  Perform Stain Removal From The Back

Lay the item on top of a clean cloth while upside down.  The cloth should be white.  The stain treatment should be applied to the back of the stain.

5.  Use Care With Dry Cleaning Solvents

Garments that have been treated with dry cleaning solvents should be thoroughly rinsed and air dried.  These can create a fire hazard when place in washing machines.  These solvents should never be added directly to washing machines.

6.  Avoid Bleaching Out Color

If you only bleach the stain, this can cause uneven coloration.  Use instead, the appropriate bleaching solution as per the garment instructions.

7.  Avoid Mixing Products

If you mix different products you risk the release of toxic fumes and may obtain undesirable results on your clothing.

8.  Wash Items That Have Been Stain Treated

The articles that you have treated with stain removal solutions should be thoroughly washed.

9.  Practice Patience

Some stains will take time to remove and you may even have to perform repeat treatments.  Check each garment carefully before drying them in order to avoid allowing the stain to set before retreating.

10.  Accept That Some Stains Are Permanent

There are simply some stains that cannot be removed, regardless of the removal method that is employed.  Using the other nine above-mentioned steps, however, can help to keep this process simple and effective.

Don’t hesitate to call us or bring your stained clothing in for a professional opinion. We’ve saved many clothes from the graveyard and would be happy to assist you in any way we can!

Tips for Buying a New Washer and Dryer Set

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Energy Star Appliances - Deluxe Cleaners - Birmingham, ALMost American families wash over 400 loads of laundry, making an energy efficient washer and dryer an important purchase decision.

Saving With Energy Star

You can save money over the long term by buying a washer that is Energy Star certified. In fact, you can potentially save enough money over the lifetime of the washer, to pay for the dryer.

You could fill up three average sized swimming pools with the water that you save, and can save an average of $135 per year on your power and water bills.

Dryers are not eligible for the Energy Star designation, as most dryers use the same amount of energy.

You can expect to spend around $1530 to operate your clothes dryer during the time that you own it. Drying your clothes on a rack or a line, or bringing your clothes to a dry cleaner can help to eliminate home energy costs.

 

TIP: Your dryer can use up to 30 percent more energy simply because the lint trap is dirty, making it essential to clean your lint trap out after use.

 

Costs To Consider

Consider the following costs if you are shopping around for an energy efficient dryer and washer.

In addition to the actual cost of the machine, consider how much it will cost you each year to run the machine.

The yellow energy guide label on the washer will give you an idea of lifetime costs, and this information can help you determine which models are more efficient. The label is not required on dryers.

 

TIP: This Energy Star search form can help you find special offers and rebates on energy efficient washers in your area; simply enter your zip code.

 

Washer Type and Size

Buying the correct size washer is a big step towards saving energy. A small stackable model is ideal for someone living alone, although not for a large family.

Top loading washers use more energy and water, although they do cost less. A front loading washer costs more, but will save you money in energy costs, largely because you can wash more in a single load.

A dryer does not need to work so hard if clothes have been washed in a front load washer.

Energy Star produces this convenient comparison chart showing the energy efficiency of different models, and a model with a sensor is recommended, as this shuts the machine off when clothes are dry.

 

TIP: When shopping for machines, make sure you know whether your washer and dryer room is hooked up for electricity or gas.

The Benefits of Dry Cleaning

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Deluxe Cleaners Birmingham, AlabamaDry cleaning is not at all like the laundry done at home. Instead, it involves cleansing clothes without using water. A liquid cleaning fluid is used, however, so it is not exactly dry. Everything is submerged in a liquid solvent. Here we will look at the process.

Dry Cleaning Process
Nearly all dry cleaning companies work the same way. This is a typical process:

Inspection and Labeling
Clothes are identified with tags or labels to keep them separate from other people’s clothing. They will also be checked over for potential damage or weak points.

Pre-treating
Any stains on the clothing is treated beforehand. This makes it easier to remove later.

Solvent Cleaning
At this point, clothing is washed in a solvent mixture in the dry cleaning machine.

Post-treating
In some cases, not all stains will have been removed. The cleaner will treat these after to ensure the clothing is stain free.

Completion
Clothes are ironed and folded and packaged for pickup or delivery.

Most machines for this type of cleaning are very similar in the way that they work. The machine holds anywhere from 20-100 pounds of clothing in a stainless steel basket that rotates. The machine includes a range of parts to wash and clean the clothing.

The basket is perforated and as it rotates, fresh solvent pours into the basket and then is pumped out immediately, removing any and all dirt as it goes. The solvent also pummels the clothing gently to clean it.

Most machines pump around 1,500 gallons per hour. It is 75% heavier than water and during a 8 minute cycle, around 200 gallons of solvent pass through the clothes and is filtered to be reused.

After the solvent cycle is complete, the basket whirls the clothing to remove excess solvent and then pumps warm air through the clothing to dry them. Any remaining solvent is vaporized this way and condensed via cooling coils. The now clean solvent is returned to the tank once water is separated.

The cleaner must maintain his filter and solvent in order to ensure the clothing being cleaned comes through bright, fresh smelling and clean. Quality control is very important in this type of business.

Head over to our site and sign up for more information about our dry cleaning services!