Monthly Archives

March 2022

Science to the rescue.

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By brightleaf

It’s not your imagination that some workout clothes reek after ten minutes while old-school all-cotton stays relatively sweet. NPR reports that researchers have found there are certain malodorous microbes that only thrive on polyester. The traditional solutions for stinky gym clothes like vinegar or baking soda just can’t fight the tenacious Micrococcus bacteria. Impregnating polyester fabrics with silver particles or triclosan antimicrobial pesticide have serious side effects. Scientists think the best answer might found by using good bacteria to fight the bad. Probiotic deodorant? We’ll rely on professional laundry products until then.

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From:: Science to the rescue.

The gender politics of buttons.

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By brightleaf

Why left handed buttons for women? In Victorian times, right handed maids did most of the buttoning for fashionable women. Left-handed buttons indicated wealth (you had enough to pay a maid to do the tedious work). As with everything, there’s an answer on the Internet. By the time sewing machines and patterns became popular in the 1850’s, right over left buttoning for women’s wear became standard, likely for economic reasons more than male-domineering political ones. We’re not even going to start thinking about how zippers and Velcro could have influenced women’s rights. We clean ‘em all, and no matter what direction, if your button is missing, we’re going to replace it. Without charge.

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From:: The gender politics of buttons.

Save the memories.

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By brightleaf

Everyone has an heirloom item made of fabric. Wedding gowns are such popular heirlooms we offer special preservation services. But the same careful cleaning and archival storage can benefit any textile. Grandmother’s lace tablecloth, Dad’s letter jacket or uniform, antique tapestries or christening gowns. We’ve seen it all and can recommend the right procedures and products to preserve your treasure.

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From:: Save the memories.

Hanger humps.

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By brightleaf

We’ve all seen sweaters with humped shoulders from incorrect hanging. Sweaters and knits should be folded and hung over the padded hanger bar. Better yet, stored flat on a shelf or in a cedar-lined drawer. The weight of the fabric pulls and stretches, even while wearing. Hump not: we can get garments blocked back into shape as part of cleaning.

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From:: Hanger humps.

Out, out darned spot

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By brightleaf

Our dry cleaning service would be incomplete without our expert spotters. They know how to treat stains without damaging the fabric, the color or the texture. Home cleaning might work on jeans or a golf shirt, but bring your valued garments to us for prompt treatment when there’s a spill. Silk just can’t be treated with home products. Can’t. Wool pills with friction, so blot the stain –don’t rub— before bringing it to us. Ink stains are the worst: sometimes we can’t even lift the ink. Real Simple magazine recommends sprinkling salt on the stain, then wipe it up, repeat and apply vodka (to the spot). Blot and repeat. Then bring it to us and we’ll see if we can remove what’s left.

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From:: Out, out darned spot

Dull duds

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By brightleaf

Do your clothes look dull after you take them out of the wash? Home laundry products often react with hard water and leave residue behind that builds up on your clothes. Combat the dinge with baking soda. Mix ¼ to ½ cup into the water before you add detergent or clothes. The baking soda softens the water and prevents any chemical reaction between your laundry detergent, your clothes and the water. Or bring your drab duds to the experts for a professional laundry.

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From:: Dull duds

Wax on, wax off.

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By brightleaf

Removing candle drips from table linens is often easier than you’d guess. Remove the tablecloth and freeze it. That’s right, the cold will make the wax brittle and if it doesn’t just pop off the cloth, scrape with a credit card. Now just treat the spot with stain remover, like Shout!, and toss it in the wash to remove any greasy residue. We can do it all for you, and often can do it better with professional spot removal procedures. Or you can always buy dripless candles.

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From:: Wax on, wax off.

The missing care instructions

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By brightleaf

Are you trying to figure out the best way to clean a tie, hat or handbag, but can’t find the care label? Manufacturers are not required to put care labels on items such as those because they are not considered “washable.” Bring them to us for expert evaluation: we can clean most fabric and leather without a problem, and our staff will be able to assess the item prior to cleaning to determine if there may be an issue. Often trim decorations can be tricky, but we’re almost always able to find a good cleaning solution.

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From:: The missing care instructions

Ink load

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By brightleaf

Did you forget to empty your pockets when doing the laundry? Nasty ink stains on your favorite khakis or towels? Try not to re-wash the items — the heat from the process will set the ink permanently. Bring inky items to us for stain treatment and dry cleaning, pronto. We have special stain removal technique and agents made specifically to remove ink from clothes. Your chances of successful salvage depend on speedy treatment and telling us exactly what happened – the more we know the better we’ll do.

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From:: Ink load