Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Is Cleaning by Hand Washing The Same as Machine Washing on Delicate?

Can you clean a garment that is hand wash only on the Delicate Cycle in a washing machine? You could, but should you? Definitely not. If in doubt, bring your item to a Professional Dry Cleaners like Comet Cleaners in Denton, Texas for our expert treatment.

It has long been a myth that hand washing and machine washing on a delicate cycle were the same thing when, in fact, they are very different. Sure, many people have taken the risk of machine washing a garment and had it be a success, but just as many have failed.

Hand washing properly is a process that uses as little agitation as possible. The cleaning that is done is primarily from gentle soap action or water. Machine washing primarily uses agitation. Agitation is when clothes rub against other clothes creating a friction or scrubbing effect that gets dirt and grime out.

Clothes who's care labels state that hand washing is the only acceptable cleaning methods are usually too delicate to handle this scrubbing action.

Here's Why: Machine washing can cause tearing of fibers on a microscopic level which can cause holes and warping to develop. Even if it's not initially evident, these tiny tears can manifest months later as a hole that you have no clue how it got there.

Here are a few tips on hand washing your clothes:

Try to always use cold water, not longer than lukewarm if you have to.
Make sure the sink is clean, or better yet have a tub used only for hand washing.
If there is a stain, pre-treat with a gentle soap and rub lightly with a finger. Submerge in the water to rinse, repeat as needed.
If the item is extremely dirty it is better to let it soak overnight than risk over working the fabric.
If washing more than one piece, only wash like colors at the same time. If the items are different colors, wash one at a time using fresh water between color changes.

Most hand wash only garments will be delicate and expensive fabrics. Keep these treasures in the best possible shape by following the care labels exactly. If you are determined to use the delicate cycle in your washing machine, placing the garment in a net bag will help minimize damage.
Better yet, bring them to us at one of our three locations Comet Cleaners of Denton, Texas. We hand wash fine garments all the time!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Karen asks: We have vinyl tile in our bathroom. A family member struggles with incontinence at times, and there is a dark brown stain around the toilet. I think if may be due to urine/feces being on the floor. Is there any way to remove the stain without damaging the tile? The rest of the floor is fine; it’s this one area that is the problem.

You Will Need

Rubber Gloves
Paper Towels
Broom
Vinegar, 1 cup
1 Gallon bucket
Liquid Dish Washing Detergent, 2 tsp.
Warm Water
Long Spoon
Brush with soft bristles
Abrasive Sponge
Multiple Washcloths
Rubbing Alcohol
Baking Soda

Steps

Wearing the rubber gloves, pick up any excess urine and feces with the paper towels
and dispose of properly. The gloves will help to protect against bacteria.

Sweep the area with the broom to rid it of any excess dirt and dust. This will
ensure you have the most direct access to any stains.

Mix together the cup of vinegar, the dish washing detergent, and warm water in a
bucket. Stir with the long spoon, and be careful not to create too many suds.

Dip the soft bristled brush into the mixture, and scrub the stain. Then, rinse with
clean water. If there is still a stain, use the more abrasive method described next.

Mix equal parts water and baking soda to create a paste. Spread the paste over the
stained area and allow to set for 10 to 15 minutes.

Scrub with the abrasive sponge, then wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Finally, scrub the area with a clean cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Additional Tips and Advice

Remove the stain as soon as possible, as letting it sit for too long may ruin your floor.
Just for the sake of clarity, never mix bleach and vinegar. Using bleach on your floor
is OK, but be sure to NOT add vinegar, as it will create a chlorine gas

Monday, October 8, 2012

Why Do Shirts Lose Their Buttons At The Shirt Laundry?

Does someone at the dry cleaners go around smashing buttons on all the shirts they clean...or is there another reason shirts come home without buttons?

It's not exactly a question for the ages, but it's certainly one that puzzles many Dry Cleaning regulars. Like many of life's great mysteries, this particular mystery has several answers.

Why do shirts lose buttons?
First of all, buttons fall off clothing all the time, not just at the shirt laundry. For example, I find that whenever I buy a dress shirt from a certain retailer, I lose buttons the first or second time I wear the shirt and mumble under my breath that I'll never shop there again as I sew the button back on. These manufacturers simply don't sew buttons on very well. I also lose buttons over time as the thread wears down or I catch my shirt on something.

But it is true that the shirt laundry does cause buttons to break, crack or come off. This happens for a couple of reasons. First, shirt presses press the entire placket of the shirt at once, including the buttons. The presses have pads to soften and protect the buttons, but button loss can still occur. Also, if a dry cleaner doesn't change these pads regularly, they become hard and are more likely to break or damage buttons. The pressing step of the shirt laundry could also exacerbate already damaged thread, being the straw that breaks the camel's back.

The standard machine used to press the collars and cuffs of dress shirts:

The peachy pads act as shock absorbers and help protect buttons as long as the pads are changed often.
The top metal part comes straight down on a hinge and applies heat to the cuffs and collars giving them a sharp, crisp finish.

Occasionally buttons are already cracked or weakened from age or from the cleaning process and the button comes off. A reputable Dry Cleaners will check for missing buttons and replace them.

Substandard thread in the manufacturing process is also a factor in the missing buttons epidemic. Here at Comet Cleaners of Denton, we check each shirt individually and replace each missing button for free. This isn't just for dress shirts either, but we also hand inspect every pair of pants, every ladies blouse, etc...

Reputable dry cleaners will replace for free any buttons broken, cracked or lost during the shirt laundry process. We know lost buttons happen and we do what we can to prevent this loss. But as in life, a little rain will fall and you will lose buttons off your dress shirts at the shirt laundry.

Now to tackle another of life's great mysteries — how to pick the winning lottery number.

Monday, October 1, 2012