Hand washing may not always be the answer — “dry clean only” may seem like a scare tactic, but the manufacturer has tested the fabric, patterns and styles prior to production; hand washing may cause colors to bleed, styles to alter or the fabric to break down. Ask us to recommend professional dry or wet…

After summer’s hot nights, now’s the time to freshen your nighttime environment. Begin by stripping the bed down to the mattress. If you use a mattress pad, launder (or bring to us) and dry thoroughly, hanging on the line, if you have one. Flip and rotate the mattress. Is it time to replace your pillows?…

We’re not accusing anyone of coloring outside the lines, but if you open the dryer door to find a colorful myriad of melted wax stains. The easiest way to solve this problem is to bring the garments in for drycleaning. We’re able to remove most, if not all, stains through cleaning and professional stain removal…

We’ll be closed Monday to celebrate the holiday with our families. It’s a time to remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The reward of a thing well done is to have done it right.” Come to think of it, every day is good time to remember the value of doing things right. Have a…

After each use, rinse swimwear in cool tap water to remove sunscreen, sand, sweat and chlorine. To wash after a few wearings, turn the swimsuit inside out and hand wash in the sink, using a few drops liquid detergent in warm water. Gently squeeze the suds through the garment, don’t wring or twist. Rinse well and…

We all have a favorite pair that fits like an old friend. When you buy a pair made of untreated raw denim, some experts recommend wearing for six months before washing. Why? It takes wear to break down super-stiff fibers, and during the process the jeans actually conform to your shape. When you do wash…

Summer boating adds a chance you’ll bring home more than memories, even on the cleanest vessel. Rust stains are common wherever there’s water and metal. We use concentrated professional products but for home use, try Oxyclean or Wink. Mold and mildew can stain sailing whites in a second—diluted laundry bleach removes just as fast. There’s…

Choosing in-season flowers makes great sense. They’re not only less expensive, they’re fresher and travel less to your bouquet. Favorites include elegant delphiniums, showy dahlias, garden roses, classic astilbe or cosmos. Hydrangeas and sunflowers add splashes of bright color, while Queen Anne’s lace and tuberose fill out a bouquet with volume and delicious fragrance. We’re…

Linen’s looser weave allows more air to flow than with tighter wool or cotton. It’s also very absorbent and conductive —wicking moisture back into the air and naturally feels cooler. The wrinkled, rumpled look of linen is a side-effect of the flax fiber’s inherent structure, considered by some to be a sign of comfortable elegance.…

Use plastic dry cleaning bags like tissue paper when you pack. Tuck the bags between your folded clothes to reduce wrinkling. They’re great to wrap around shoes, too. We’re happy to package your garments for travel, folded and individually wrapped in plastic or paper, ready to slip into the suitcase or garment bag.