Sunscreen and Suntan Lotion Stains

Hot, sunny days require sunscreen and suntan lotion. While most people use these products to help protect their skin from the sun, others use them to enhance their skin tone.

Unfortunately, the components found in most sunscreens and suntan lotions can cause stains to fabrics. Most of these skin care products contain oils to make them moisture-resistant. They may also contain dyes to give them a certain color or to allow the skin to darken.

Initially, stains caused by these products may be invisible, but age and/or the heating of cleaning may cause them to become more apparent.

How do you prevent stains from sunscreen?
To prevent these stains, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. The general rule of thumb is to allow the preparation to dry before it contacts a garment. Also wash your hands before handling garments to avoid possible staining. However, it is important to note that despite these precautions, some residue may still transfer to clothing through perspiration.

Can these stains be treated?
The oil component of skin care preparations may not be easily removed in normal washing or dry cleaning procedures, but appropriate stain removal techniques can be successful. For this reason, it is important to tell your cleaner if sunscreens or tanning lotions may have contacted the garment. The more information your cleaner knows about stains, the happier both of you will be when your garment is returned.]

At  Marky's Dry Cleaners in Denton Texas, we are a full service Dry Cleaners and would love to take on the task of cleaning your summer outfits
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On Site Cleaning = Access To Professional Dry Cleaning Management At Marky's Dry Cleaners we do our dry cleaning and laundry on site.  This gives you access to professional dry cleaning management and 60+ years in combined dry cleaning experience.

How a Dry Cleaning Service Can Help You Live A Better Life

When you really take a look at the numbers, you may see that most American's do not have their priorities in order.  Learn how picking the best Dry Cleaner, like Marky's Dry  Cleaners in Denton, TX can help you focus on what is really important in your life.

Free Dry Cleaning Valet Pick Up and Delivery Service

What would you do if you had an extra year to do whatever you wanted?  Take a long vacation?  Spend quality time with your family?  Relax?  Americans drive an average of 789,000 miles in their lifetime and spend:

• Over 9,100 hours commuting to and from work. (Over 379 days!)
• 4,050 hours stuck in standstill traffic.  (Almost 169 days!)
• 4,320 hours at traffic lights.  (Exactly 180 days)
• 37,047 total hours behind the wheel of a vehicle.  (A Whopping 1,543 days!)

The best dry cleaners will hand finish each garment, check for and replace missing buttons, and make simple alterations a breeze.  We also send back each item perfectly pressed and ready to wear.
That is a lot of time, and while we can't really help with your drive to work, we can save you time, gas, and mileage with our Free Dry Cleaning Valet Pick Up and Delivery Service.  Save time each week and let us come to you!  No lines, no wasting gas; With three Locations and a large coverage area, trying our route service is a win!  We'll even give you $10 worth of Free Dry Cleaning just for trying it out.  Sign up here or call us at 940-323-2200!

Wash and Fold Service

A typical working, American mom will spend a total of five months of her life doing laundry in the time it takes one child to turn 18.  Another 156 days of her life are spent ironing.

Granted, laundry is so much easier now-a-days with the automatic washing machine.  No longer do we having to break our backs over wash boards or rocks in the creek out back.  Still, life isn't as simple as it was back in those days and more is needing to be accomplished in a shorter amount of time.
Emptying out pockets, pairing up socks and hunting for elusive underwear under a bed takes up a large chunk of time.  55 percent of the population has forgotten clothes in the washing machine which means re-washing.  That's more time, more detergent, and more water being used.  Marky's Dry Cleaners in Denton, TX has a solution!
Our Wash and Fold service saves you plenty of time.  Let us wash, dry, and fold your laundry to free you up for more important things.  We take care of emptying pockets, sorting lights and darks and all you have to do is put it away.  If you use our Free Pick up and Delivery Service, you don't even need to set foot in the store.

Dress Shirt Folding Services

Travel is usually inevitable.  Whether for business or pleasure, the key to a good trip is packing properly.  Bringing a variety of clothing can give you a better selection so you are comfortable and prepared of whatever comes up.

Business trips happen.  Garment bags are big and bulky, and really don't do much to preserve the integrity of the clothing inside when jammed in the overhead bin of a plane.  So what do you do?
Allow Marky's Dry Cleaners to fold those items for you.  This saves you the headache of trying to jam everything in your suitcase.  With all your items neatly folded and suitcase ready, all you need to do is stack and go.  From Button up shirts, polos, and slacks, we can make packing your dress shirts and your casual shirts a breeze.

Using a Full Service Dry Cleaners (like us!) can really help you save time, money, gas, and effort.  We take pride in all we do so you can rest assured it's done right or it's free.  It is both an honor and a pleasure to provide these services to our customers and if there's anything else you could need, please to not hesitate to ask.

789,000 miles (1284256 km)

789,000 miles (1284256 km)789,000 miles in thier lifetime.  Here's a breakdown of what we're doing.  9,100 hours is spent commuting to work, 4,050 hours stuck in standstill traffic, 4,320 hours is spent at stop lights.

789,000 miles (1284256 km)

Dry Cleaning Delivered Right to Your Door:  Get $10.00 in FREE dry cleaning and laundry.

Did you know that for no extra cost Marky's will pick up and deliver your cleaning...twice each week...replace missing buttons...repair lose hems and seams...for FREE?
Schedule your delivery service and get $10 off your first order.

How to Remove Ink and Toner from Clothes

If you’ve ever had to change printer cartridges, chances are you’ve spilled toner or ink on yourself or your clothing.  When this happens there’s that sense of panic that sweeps over you.  What are you going to do now?  Did you ruin your clothes? Are you going to be able to get this stuff off?  Here are some tips from some pros to getting those toner or ink stains out of your clothes.

The first thing you will want to do before attempting to remove any stains is read the clothing label to determine the garment’s fiber content. This is usually listed on the tag on the garment. Test any chemicals in a small inconspicuous on a seam allowance or inside or the hem to be sure the material can handle it. Rayon, or acetate, for instance, are sensitive to rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover.

HOW TO REMOVE TONER ON YOUR CLOTHES:

1. Vacuum the affected area then take the garment off.
2. Vigorously shake the remaining toner out of your clothing.
3. Gently brush as much of the stain off the clothing as possible using a soft bristled brush.  DO NOT rub the stain.  This will only force the powder further down into the fabric making it more difficult to clean.
4. If you do not have a soft bristled brush, use a dry cloth, such as a towel, in a brushing motion on the stain.  (Please note that this cloth will most likely become stained, so use something you do not mind getting soiled.)
5. Dampen a dry, absorbent cloth with rubbing alcohol and then blog it on the toner stain.  (Please note that the toner will likely stain this cloth.)
6. Spray the stain with hairspray, blot with towels on BOTH sides of the fabric and wash in COLD water in the washing machine.   Make sure the stain is completely gone before placing the item in the dryer as it is the heat the fuses the toner dust and makes the stain permanent.

HOW TO REMOVE FRESH INK STAINS FROM YOUR CLOTHES:

1. Dab the stain with a clean, damp towel or sponge until no more ink will lift from the affected area.
2. Let the stain air dry.
3. Spray the stain with hairspray or dab with alcohol.
4. Put the stained fabric between two paper towels.
5. Blot the back side of the stained fabric.  This will force the stain out of the fabric and into the other paper towel.
6. As you continue to press, the stain will transfer to the other paper towel.  Move the paper towel so the clean segment of the towel lifts the stain.  Continue pressing and moving the paper towel so the stain does not re-transfer back into the fabric after you’ve gotten it into the towel.  If you need to use a new paper towel, do so.  When the stain is completely lifted, you are done.
   

   MAYBE YOU WOULD LIKE DENTON'S BEST TO GIVE IT A TRY. CALL MARKY'S DRY CLEANERS  940-381-1182 OR STOP BY THE STORE AT 507 W. UNIVERSITY DR. DENTON, TX 76201

Will Dry Cleaning Make My Clothes Last Longer?

Many of us see dry cleaning as one of those simple facts of life. It’s taken for granted that this is something you’re supposed to do for your delicate garments. But is taking in your articles of clothing worth the extra effort? Will it really make them last longer?

To answer the question, we’ll first need to take a look at what’s actually going on when you send clothes in to be dry cleaned.

What Exactly Is Dry Cleaning?

Let’s start by clearing up any confusion about the name. What “dry cleaning” describes is simply a way of cleaning clothes or other textiles without using water. It’s a process that originated in 1885, and has been improving ever since.

But while dry cleaning doesn’t involve water, it does use a different liquid. Specifically, clothes are cleaned with a gentle petroleum-based solvent called polyethylene (or “perc” for short). Perc dissolves dirt and oils that may be clinging to your clothing, without damaging the underlying fabric.

When you drop off your clothes at the dry cleaners, they’ll be placed into a washing chamber along with a certain amount of this solvent. As the machine rotates, dirt and particles are lifted from the clothing and suspended in the solvent, before being filtered out entirely. Of course, if you have any particularly hardy stains (or any other type of garment damage), these will need a bit of individual special attention. Fortunately, this is a service that the best dry cleaners are fully capable of providing.

A Longer Lifespan For Your Clothing

Back to the initial question: will this process make clothes last longer? The simple answer is “yes” – and here’s why:

Dry Cleaning is Less Abrasive than Washing Machines

Some fabrics are particularly sensitive to water immersion, and/or to the heat and agitation that takes place inside most commercial washing machines. But because dry cleaning drums tumble more slowly and gently – and because the process does not use water – your delicate clothes experience less wear & tear. Why risk damaging that expensive suit, dress, or tablecloth?

Dry Cleaning Preserves Fabric Qualities

Tears and shrinkage are awful, but they aren’t the only way in which machine washing can harm your clothing. Using a gentle solvent like perc, rather than hot water and soapy detergent, will also better preserve the color and texture of your fabrics. If you’ve ever seen a frayed and blotchy wool sweater or silk dress, you’ve probably witnessed machine-induced damage.

Dry Cleaning Tackles Tough Stains

The solvent used in dry cleaning penetrates deeply, dissolving and removing the oils, odors, and tough stains that diminish the garment’s value. As a result, your clothing and linens will maintain that fresh and new look for a much longer period of time.

For over 25 years, Marky's Dry Cleaners has been Denton's dry cleaning provider of choice. Stop by our convenient Denton location today, or give us a call at (940)381-1182.
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Velvet: A Royal Fabric

Velvet is one of winter’s fashion favorites, especially crushed velvets and velvet garments with decorative trim. Many types of apparel are made of velvet, including pants, dresses, gowns, coats, capes, and jackets. Velvet is also popular for household items, such as furniture covers and drapes.

What is velvet?

Velvet has long been known as the fabric of royalty. At one time, blue velvet was reserved solely for use by the French king, his family, and favored subjects.

Velvets are made on a double action loom. Two layers of fabric are woven at the same time, and the space between them is interlaced with connecting yarns.

The two layers are then cut apart as they come off the loom, producing two pieces of fabric with an upright pile surface.

True velvet is usually made of rayon, acetate, silk, or a blend of these fibers and has a short, closely-woven pile. Velveteen is similar to velvet, but it is usually made of cotton or cotton/polyester blend and has a shorter pile. Finishes are often applied to velvets to keep the pile erect and resilient, to secure the pile, or to give the fabric body.

What types of problems can velvets experience?

Velvet can experience a variety of problems, including a loss of pile, flattening and matting, pilling and tufting, and shrinkage. Crushed velvets have a tendency to experience a loss of design and distortion from wear alone. Velvets made of acetate pose special problems: the pile can become permanently flattened with moisture, heat, or pressure. As a result, the pile on an acetate velvet dress is more likely to show the effects of wear. Even greater flattening develops if the velvet is brushed or if any pressure is put on it while wet.

How can you keep your velvets fit for royalty?

• Hang velvet garments in a well-ventilated closet after wearing.

• If a velvet garment gets wet, do not apply pressure, as this can flatten the pile.

• Do not iron velvets. Hang in the bathroom and steam the garment to remove any wrinkles.

• Clean velvet garments immediately after use.

• Shake excess spills from the fabric and allow to dry. Do not blot or apply any pressure in damp areas.

• If you do get a stain on a velvet garment, our stain removal experts can help. 

Life offers just a handful occasion to let it all loose and dress up in alluringly fascinating and glamorously chic attires. Prom night is high on the list of those days in your life when you dress to impress with your chic, contemporary yet elegant ensembles. Perfectly complementing accessories just add to the flavor of this event.

This year, try something unique and extraordinary to add a tasteful yet alluring kick to your overall look and rock your prom in ultimate swank and style.

A Little Black Leather Dress

Leather is timeless and, of course, you cannot go wrong with black. Every fashion addict knows well how to rock this combo. The best part is that there are countless ways to accessorize your enchanting LBD. We would suggest you to opt for sensuous complementing heels along with a sleek, straight mane. To add depth in your look, you can go for bold smoky eyes and nude lips.

Sleeveless Beaded Attire

We love spring because it allows us to experiment a lot with our look. A sleeveless mini or knee-length attire, embellished with beads is a perfect pick for your prom night. Keeping this attire simple and sweet will highlight your charisma. Bead-studded stilettos along with pastel makeup will ensure that you remain the center of attention.

A Formal Ruffled Prom Gown

Nothing can beat an elegantly crafted maxi dress for a prom night. The style is not only formal but also gives you a princess-like aura. Try to look for a maxi dress in trending colors. Our favorite for this spring is peach and burgundy; however, you can select a hue that complements your skin tone well. Whether you opt for an A-line silhouette with bare shoulders or a deep V-neck with ruffled or laced sleeves, the style will be a sure hit with everyone.

Allover Sequined Dress

To add a touch of glitz and glamour, opt for sequined dress this prom. You can select the length of the attire as per your own body type. Couple the dress with stylish pumps, some elegant jewelry and bronze makeup and voila! You are all set to look mesmerizing this prom.

A Little White Dress

We know for some of you white sounds absolutely dull and boring, however, believe us if complemented well, the white has all the power to give you an amazing look. A mini or midi white dress, embellished well with some beads or pearls and paired with high-heels will give you an enchanting yet exquisite look. You can also opt for some unique jewelry to go with your dress. To break the color, go for bold red lips along with full volume hair. After all white is always right!

Prom is certainly an ideal occasion to portray your fashion taste. Whatever styles you opt for, don’t forget to consider your physique as well as skin tone to select the perfect pieces for you. In addition, the way you carry that style also makes a huge difference. Take a cue from this post and rock your memorable event with ultimate allure and elegance.

Dealing with Missing Buttons: What to Do When Your Shirts Come Back Without Buttons

Dress shirts sent for professional cleaning are typically water-washed with soap, starched, and then pressed on a 3-part (collar/cuffs, sleeves and body) shirt steam/pressing machine. Shirt buttons can break while cleaning, when pressing, or just when trying to button your dress shirt.  While not a catastrophic event, it can be bothersome if you happen to be on a business trip and your important meeting is in an hour.

So, what to do? Here are a few things you can try both before and after your button’s gone missing at the cleaners.

• There’s a possibility the button was missing before you dropped your shirts and blouses off at the dry cleaner. Take a quick look at your garments before leaving them at the cleaners and point this out to the attendant when dropping the off.  If you can't remember to do this, place a safety pin where the button belongs and that should get the dry cleaner's attention.
• Top-notch dry cleaning services (including Marky's Dry Cleaners here in the Denton, Texas area) will make the time to check for missing buttons before and after the dry cleaning process is completed, so only take your clothing to a reputable location. Though even the best service will occasionally miss one, you should use someone who makes the effort and replaces the missing buttons before returning the garment to you.
• You can request that your cotton and cotton-blend shirts and blouses be dry cleaned rather than laundered. This leaves a softer feel on your shirts and blouses and is especially appropriate for delicate items. Shirt creases are not as sharp.  Expect to pay more for this option, as it requires more labor.
• It’s possible the buttons come off because the thread is loose. Try sewing your buttons back on with professional grade thread or even dental floss, which is incredibly strong.  But make sure the thread color used is the same as for the rest of the buttons.

As for that button you need replaced for the meeting? Check the inside of the garment to make sure there isn’t a spare, usually on a side seam near the bottom of the shirt. Use your travel sewing kit or ask for one at the front desk. Those little kits usually include one or two buttons that will do in a pinch, and most people will not notice your buttons don’t match. You can also try taking a button from the part of the shirt that gets tucked in and move it to the visible location.

A good dry cleaning service will often replace your shirt buttons free of charge as part of their services. Some dry cleaners will even give you a discount on future dry cleaning services if you have to return for button replacement. Don’t be afraid to ask – reputable dry cleaners want to earn your trust and keep your business.

Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips

Even the experts cannot agree on when the recession will ease, some say 9/09, others 10/09.  With up to a year and a half in front of us, try some of these suggestions to keep more money in your pocket:

Ø  Turn off lights and air conditioning when not in the room, in the house, or at work. This goes for the big corps too.  Even better, use smart, programmable units and save hundreds.

Ø  Switch to fluorescent lights, the savings is significant. Look for full-spectrum bulbs. If you really don’t like all fluorescent light, use incandescent bulbs in strategic places, like where you read. 

Ø  Stop buying new clothing every season; take better care of the clothes you already own.

Ø  Minimize convenience item purchases. Wherever possible, use dishcloths rather than paper towels, a sports bottle filled with filtered water rather than a new bottle of water,  etc.

Ø  Make your own greeting cards and your own gourmet coffee at home.

Ø  Check out movies at your library before buying or renting them.  It’s free!

Ø  Before you dial 411, use the phone book or the internet to look up the number.

Summer 2013 Officewear Trends for Women From Your Dry Cleaner

Staying stylish at work is of upmost importance to appear "with it" and relevant.   Keeping tabs on new ideas for work appropriate attire is a great way to spice up your wardrobe and keep your style fresh.  As Professional Dry Cleaners in Denton Texas, we see on a daily basis new and interesting garments.  I thought it would be a great time to share some of these styles with you.

This is one of my favorite looks, classy and chic, and a great look for summer office wear.  I find the traditional long sleeved, heavy suit jackets are not only confining, but are usually far too hot and uncomfortable.  This is esspecially true if you deal with very hot and humid summers like we do in the south. By getting rid of the sleeves, you've just upped your comfort factor many times over.  A look like this also maintains it's office appropriateness by remaining structured and modest, while remaining cool and stylish.  The belt accentuates the waist perfectly.  This is a versitile piece that can be worn as shown, layered with a sleeveless blouse, or can be paired with any color slacks.

This look dresses up a pair of bermuda shorts to keep you looking professional and oh so comfortable!  Pairing a tailored short with a breezy white safari shirt and adding matching accessories make this whole look work. The belt works to dress up this casual shirt and accentuate the waist.  The bag is a neutral color that compliments the entire outfit.  Shoes are heels to keep the whole look office appropriate. For casual looks, you can wear a sensible pair of flats if your workplace allows, or dress it up with heels as shown. This look and photo is courtesy of nyandcompany.

Lastly, here we have the belted tunic.  This look is a great look for many reasons; it's cool enough for those super hot days, shorter tunics can be paired with nice shorts, a complimentary skirt, or skinny slacks. Again, the belt acsecuates the waist.  Heels are shown in the example and can be switched out for a cute pair of sandals in more casual environments.

Summer fabrics are going to be light and airy by design.  This means that most wont last too long if you were to just throw them in a washing machine.  Pay special attention to care labels and if it says Dry Clean only, be sure to bring it to you Dry Cleaner!

Hanger Recycling

Comet Cleaners has joined with the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute to  reduce the energy, raw material, landfill space needed for steel hangers and contribute to a greener planet.

Our Goal

30 Million Less Hangers in 2013!

2013 will see thirty million fewer hangers making their way to landfills thanks to cleaners participating in the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute's "DLI Cleaners Care Hanger Recycling Program." The new program spans the globe and encourages members to recycle hangers to reduce waste.

How to Remove Coffee Stains on Dress Shirts, Upholstery, and Carpet

 For as long as life goes on, stains will as well.  It's inevitable that you will find yourself with a stain.
Coffee stains are some of the most common stains we encounter at Comet Cleaners of Denton, Texas .
A coffee stain can be a real pain to deal with.  Stain removal techniques have to address tannin,protein, possibly sugar, animal fat in cream, or non-dairy creamer. Coffee alone is a natural dye.  When combined with other ingredients like sugar and cream, it is much more complex.
 If the stain is fresh and is coffee only, it's fairly easy to remove.  If the stain has dried, has sugar, or has been ironed, it makes removal much more difficult.  On some light fabrics such as wool or cotton, or if the coffee includes sugar or cream, usually multiple attempts are needed.

Here's our advice on How to Remove Coffee Stains.

Oh No, I spilled coffee on my shirt!

Customers most frequently inquire about stain removal on their clothing.  From Dress Shirts, to Silk Blouses, coffee loves to find it's way onto your clothes, especially right before you head to work.  If you're running short on time, you may opt to just change into a new shirt.  It's always best to treat a stain immediately for the best possible chance at removal, but we understand that life happens.

So here's what you do:

1. Determine if the garment is Dry Clean Only or machine wash.  If Dry Cleaning is recommended based on the care label, do not put anything on the stain and take it immediately to your Dry Cleaners. Try to absorb as much of the excess liquid as possible.  Do not rub vigorously...just soak up as much of teh spill as possible.  Skip the rest of the following steps and head to your dry cleaner right away.
2. If you can wash the garment (i.e., not a "Dry Clean Only" garment), grab a sponge and carefully dap the stain with cool water. You can also soak the entire item in cool water for about 30 minutes
3. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover. 
4. If you added any sort of dairy in your coffee like milk or cream you will need to use a laundry detergent that contains enzymes.
5. Launder the item, and if safe for the fabric, use a chlorine bleach.

Oops, I spilled Coffee on the couch!

Coffee stains on Upholstery is an even bigger pain that a simple spot on your shirt.  Since we can't throw the living room sofa or Grandpa's old recliner in a washing machine we have to take a slightly different approach.

1. Make a solution of one tablespoon liquid dish detergent and two cups of clean, cool water.
2. Obtain a clean white cloth and sponge a hidden area for colorfastness.
3. If no color appears on the cloth, move to the coffee stain and sponge.
4. Blot the area until the coffee stain disappears
5. With a new white cloth, sponge cold water onto the area to help "rinse" the stain.
6. Blot with a dry cloth to dry the area.

What if it's in the carpet?

Besides hauling out the heavy machinery, (big ol' carpet shampooers which may do more harm than good) there is a way to treat Java on the floor.

1. Blot up as much as you can with a dry cloth, try using a pinching motion like you would to add a pinch of salt to your cooking, as simply applying pressure can push the coffee further down the fibers and possibly into the padding.  You definitely want to avoid getting the padding wet as the stain will wick back up into the fibers, over time making the stain reappear.
2. Use plain water and a white cloth first and sparingly sponge the stain.  When the fibers start getting more than damp, blot up the moisture with a dry white cloth.  This is to avoid too much liquid on the carpet, again to protect the padding.
3. If the stain isn't budging, use a solution of one tablespoon liquid dish detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar to two cups of water. 
4. Just like in step 2, dab a little solution on the stain, then blot dry.  Continue until the stain disappears.
5. Use plain cold water and dab the area, then blot dry to "rinse" the dish detergent/vinegar solution out of the carpet.

Always remember, If the garment is Dry Clean Only, take it to your local Dry Cleaners like Comet Cleaners in Denton, Texas where Professionals will get the job done right.

Get Help With All Your Spots From Comet Cleaners in Denton, Texas Don't Know What That Spot is or How to Get It Out? Call 940-381-1182 for assistance or visit any of our three locations.

Guide: Care and Cleaning of Common Clothing Fabrics

You wouldn't clean your whites the same way as you would a black silk blouse, would you? Different fabrics will have different cleaning and care instructions.  At Comet Cleaners in Denton Texas, we check every care label to ensure that each garment is cleaned according to the manufactures instructions.  Here are some of the most common fibers and fabrics to help you with your laundry.







Acetate  Dry Clean Only synthetic fiber.

Acrylic  A synthetic fiber;  Woven fabrics can be Dry Cleaned, knits are to be machine washed in warm water on the gentle cycle.  To reduce the occurrence of pilling, wash inside out and lay flat to dry.

 Blends  Combined fibers, can be natural or synthetic.  As the care depends on the fibers in the blend, always follow care label instructions.

Canvas  Can be natural or synthetic; a firm, heavy, tightly woven fabric.  Machine wash cold and tumble dry.  Always test for colorfastness.  Dry clean if not colorfast.

Cashmere  Natural fiber; made from the undercoat hair of a cashmere goat.  Similar to wool.  Dry Clean only.

Chiffon  Usually silk or synthetic fibers; thin transparent fabric.  Hand wash only.

Chintz  Cotton with a glaze and usually has a bold print.  Unless label states otherwise, Dry Clean Only.

Corduroy Cotton, cotton/polyester blend, or rayon.  Ridge pile fabric.  Turn inside out and wash, and dry.  Remove from dryer while still damp and hang dry.  Smooth out pockets and seams with hands.

Cotton  Natural vegetable fiber that is very versatile.  Light weight fabrics such as batiste, organdy, and voile should be hand washed and hung to dry.  As cottons vary, always follow care label instructions.

Damask  A fabric woven jacquard style and may be comprised of almost any kind of fibers. Dry Clean Heavy weight fabrics, Hand wash light weight ones.

Denim  Usually cotton or cotton/synthetic blend, it is a strong, twill weave fabric that is prone to shrinkage.  As dyes often bleed, wash Denim pieces together on warm or cold, dry at low setting.  Can be ironed while damp.

Down  Natural under plumage of birds.  Can be machine washed or dry cleaned so be sure to check care label.  Always tumble dry, fluff and turn every few minutes.

Flannel  Plain or twill weave napped fabric.  If cotton or synthetic, machine wash.  Wool must be dry cleaned.

Gabardine  Worsted wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers.  Closely woven and firm plain or twill weave.  Follow care label, should be able to be dry cleaned.

Lace  Cotton, linen, or synthetic fiber.  Hand wash with mild detergent.  Do not rub.  Hand shape, air dry or dry flat.  If very delicate, pin lace to a cloth before washing.

Linen  Natural flax fiber.  Hand wash or Dry Clean.

Microfiber  Polyester yarns that are woven tightly.  Machine wash cold and air dry.

Mohair  Natural fiber from the angora goat.  Treat the same as wool.

Organdy  Plain weave cotton.  Hand wash and starch.  May be dry cleaned.

Polyester   Synthetic fiber used alone or blended.  Does not shrink or stretch. Machine wash warm and tumble dry.

Ramie From the ramie plant, a natural fiber similar to linen.  Used alone or blended with cotton.  Machine wash warm, tumble dry, remove while damp and hang to dry.

Rayon  Synthetic fiber, term is used interchangeably with viscose.  Dry Clean Only.

Satin  Fabric made of silk, acetate, or polyester.  Dry Clean silk and acetate.  Follow care instructions for polyester.

Seersucker   Cotton, nylon, polyester, or silk fabric with puckered stripes woven in during manufacturer.  See care label for specific fiber care instructions.  Drip dry.

Silk  Dry Clean Only.  Some silks state they can be washed but usually do not turn out properly.

Spandex  Stretch fibers often blended with other fibers to give material stretch.  Machine wash on warm water and dry flat.

Terry Cloth  Cotton or cotton/polyester blend.  Machine wash and tumble dry.

Velour   Can be multiple fabrics.  Napped and usually Dry Clean Only.

Velvet  Cotton, rayon, or silk soft pile fabric.  Dry Clean Only.

Wool  Natural fiber made from sheep's fleece.  Hand wash or Dry Clean.


Note:  If you choose to clean any of the above items at home, always check for colorfastness.
Or you can leave it to us at Comet Cleaners in Denton Texas.  We know how to keep your clothes looking great.

Are there any good Dry Cleaners in Denton, Texas

Are There Any Good Dry Cleaners I Denton, Texas 76201?

Yes, there are good dry cleaners in Denton, Texas 76201. I’m one of them. I have been in the Dry Cleaning business for over 23 years.

Try me out. If you like, continue. If you don’t, stop. It’s that simple.
So call me at 940-381-1182 and I’ll answer any questions you might have.

Mark Kerr
Comet Cleaners
comet.denton1@verizon.net

Starch In My Dress Shirts

Found in vegetables like potatoes and corn, starch is a very versatile substance.
Anyone who has dropped off dress shirts at the Dry Cleaners like Champion Cleaners in Denton Texas knows a little bit about starch. They know there's the option of no starch, light starch, medium starch, and heavy starch. What kind of starch do you choose? There are both pros and cons to starching clothing, and not all clothing will react to being starched in the same way.
What is it?
Starch is a carbohydrate produced by all green plants as a source of energy. It is used in the Dry Cleaning industry as a stiffener for fabrics. There are three different types of starch that are used in a commercial laundry; corn starch, wheat starch, and synthetic starch.

	Corn Starch is a natural starch derived from the endosperm of the corn kernel. It's fine texture in powder form make a paste when mixed with water. This natural 'glue' sticks to the fibers of your shirt offering resistance against wrinkles when worn. It is a water soluble starch and will eventually wash out of your shirts. The drawback of corn starch is that the particles are rather small and a large percentage of starch added to the clothing is rinsed away in the rinse cycle.
	Wheat starch is also a natural starch that has a "glue-like" consistency. It is the starch of choice for most commercial cleaners who use natural starch since it sticks to fibers better than corn starch. Since the particles are larger microscopically, they are able to be caught and entwined in the fibers of the shirt with less being wasted in the rinse cycle.
	Synthetic Starch, also known as poly vinyl chloride or PVC is basically a plastic polymer. The particles are larger, like wheat, so they stick well to the fibers and less rinses away. During pressing of the shirt, heat is applied to the fabric which melts the PVC and bonds it semi-permanently to the fibers. This encases the fibers with a layer of plastic and keeps the individual fibers extremely rigid. This is fantastic for a crisp looking shirt that resists wrinkles well. It does wash out over time. Synthetic starches can also be made from a combination of difference natural starches with added plasticizers.

Here at Champion Cleaners in Denton Texas, we use the finest combination of natural and synthetic ingredients in our starch to make your shirt perfect every time. By combining, we are able to reap the benefits of both. Our starch features the consistency of natural starches with the staying power of synthetics.
Why Use it?
Starch is added in different amounts to different types of fabrics. Slight variances in fabric content, size of the individual strands, and even the type of weave can have an effect on how a particular shirt looks and feels after being starched. There are pros and cons to starch usage:
Pros:

• Leaves a crisp, clean appearance to dress shirts
• Makes ironing easier
• Helps resist stains

Cons:

• Some may find starched clothing itchy and scratchy
• May reduce the lifespan of clothing by stiffening fibers. When fibers come into contact with anything else, they offer more resistance and can fray or break.

Tips:

1. Know what type of starch is currently being used on your clothes.
2. Do not over starch shirts if you intend to keep them in usable condition for a while.
3. Starch of any kind will coat the individual strands of a shirt. Dark shirts do not respond well to starches and will begin to develop a "shine" if overly saturated.

If you have any questions regarding starch, take your shirts to a Professional Dry Cleaners

Restoring Clothes After Flood, Fire, and Other Disasters

Should you replace or restore clothing that has fallen victim to a flood, fire, or other natural disaster?

I would suggest restoring it. Instead of replacing your entire wardrobe and household fabrics, you can often restore them to the same condition or nearly the same as before the disaster for a fraction of the price.
Some people have contacted us after having spent days washing and rewashing clothing at home.  Clothes that have molded due to the moistness of post-flood conditions and smoke damaged items will not give up their stains and smells easily.




 We provide expert dry cleaning and restoration services in Texas  for clothing and other textiles damaged by smoke, water and mold.  We work with the following groups to restore garments and other textile products to their pre-loss condition:

1. Insurance Companies
2. Restoration Building Contractors
3. Victims of Disasters 

Our services include odor remediation, soot removal from smoke and fire disasters, and mold remediation from prolonged wet conditions.

The types of items we can restore after a disaster include:

• Clothing
• Wedding gowns
• Uniforms
• Bulk laundry items
• Household textiles, including bed linens, sheets, comforters, and bedspreads
• Towels
• Draperies
• Rugs and carpet
• Furniture
• Vintage and heirloom garments

We also clean and restore these items to achieve their pre-loss condition:

• Leather and suede garments
• Shoes and boots, from high fashion shoes, to work boots and sneakers
• Purses
• Belts
• Hats

Fuzz Balls on Your Sweaters?

 

 

  Ever get those teeny balls of fuzz all over your sweater?  Want to stop looking fuzzy? Here’s how!

 

 

 

 

 

This phenomenon is called “pilling,” and it results from short or broken fibers on the surface of the fabric getting tangled together and forming a ball called a pill.  

 

Why Pilling?

 

This happens simply from the natural abrasion of the fabric against objects and itself during normal use and wear. Pilling frequently shows up around the arm pits, the sleeves, and the front of the sweater where abrasion is most common. 

 

It can be minimized...and here’s how

 

• Turn it inside out before washing, and

• Wash it using a shorter wash cycle, and

• Remove it from the dryer as soon as it is no longer damp.

 

To "repair" a sweater with a Pilling problem try this.

 

Spread the item (usually a sweater) tightly over a flat surface. Now get a razor. Yes, even just a cheap one will work!  Now, shave the sweater.  Sounds crazy, but it won’t damage the fabric itself and it will scrape off those annoying pills.  You can also cut them off gently with scissors, but it will take longer and you’re more likely to cut a hole in the fabric that way.  You can also get a sweater stone which does a good job.  But use the razor to get the stubborn pills.
  
Electric Pill Removers

If you want to get a bit fancy there are battery operated pill removers that work like  an electric razor, but these don’t necessarily work better than elbow grease.  We use these on your sweaters.  Of course, once the pills are removed they are likely to come back, so you’ll have to give your sweater some loving attention every now and then.  If you’re gentle with it and don’t wash it too much, you can keep your sweaters looking fresh and pill-free for a long time.

Here is a link to a You Tube video showing the process with a razor.