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Time for plaid.
Back in the 1500’s, plaid patterns identified rival Scottish clans. Great Britain banned wearing plaid for the last half of the 18th century to punish for the Scots rebellion. By the time plaid made it across the Atlantic, it was adopted by cowboys, lumberjacks and, in the 90’s, grunge bands like Nirvana popularized the classic/cool patterns.…
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Clean machine.
The products you use in your washing machine can build up over time, compounded by lint, mildew and good old-fashioned gunk. Cleaning is easier than you might think. Fill the machine with the hottest water, highest load size and longest wash. As it fills, add a quart of white vinegar, then add a cup of…
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Halloween’s not so scary.
You’d be surprised how many costumes we clean every year. Before you jump into that skeleton suit or Godzilla’s bridal gown from last year, let us make sure it’s clean and fresh. Need ideas? Here’s a fun Pinterest page with everything from black Jell-O shots to homemade costumes for men.
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Starch?
Starch can actually shorten the life of a shirt by reducing the fabric’s ability to bend, stretch and straighten and heavy starching reduces the tensile (resistance to tension) strength by 20-30%, according to DLI. The advantages of starching? Better whiteness, a crisper look and increased resistance to staining. Starched or not, we’ll keep your shirts and…
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Ruffles and flourishes.
Wondering how to make a dress look as good as it did when you bought it? A trip through your washing machine simply removes crisp details like ruffles and pleats. Even careful home ironing can’t get them back with the risk of scorch from high heat. We not only have the latest pressing and finishing…
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Fabric softeners —
a little goes a long way. Related to soap, fabric softeners coat laundry with a waxy lubricant that lets the fibers slide past each other, reducing wrinkling and softening scratchiness. They also make napped fibers stand on end for fluffiness and reduce static cling caused by tumbling in the dryer. Over time, the waxy coating…
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Hanging out.
If you’re lucky enough to enjoy an outdoor clothesline, there are a few tricks to drying laundry outdoors. Shake damp laundry to smooth out wrinkles before hanging. Dry shirts on hangers for crease-free results, ready for touchup ironing. Hang pants by the bottom hem. That’s the way to hang t-shirts and polos, too. Hang “departments”…
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Cleaning vs. Washing.
Here’s the easy-to-remember rule: Everything can be cleaned, not everything can be washed. Specialty fabrics such as wool, silk, leather and rayon should never be washed. They require professional cleaning and care. Our expert staff is trained to understand how each of these specialty fabrics should be cleaned – and the right cleaning care protects…
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Cold water savings.
Detergent chemists have come a long way since Fels Naptha and boiling water was the answer to dirty laundry. Most people still think hot or warm water gets clothes cleaner, but in fact all it does is add cost. Consumer Reports calculates you could save enough in energy costs to pay for 300 loads worth…
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More laundry tricks with baking soda
Want a natural way to brighten whites, even vintage linens? Use baking soda in your next load of laundry. The natural chemistry gently removes dirt and debris, even set-in odors, all while being safe for even the most delicate skin. It works great as a natural fabric softener and is fragrance free. For any of…