Category: Care Tips

  • Ring around the…

    Collar and cuffs gets worse over time. Unfortunately, these high friction points are hard to protect. Over time soil, sweat and abrasion causes the fabric to break down, making it more susceptible to discoloration and permanent staining. We take extra care in using the proper cleaning methods and pre-treatments to get these nasty rings out…

  • Confused by care instructions?

    Are you finding more and more items that say “hand wash, dry flat, cool iron only” and are not sure if you can care for them properly? The manufacturer is only required to put one process for cleaning on the label, and many are concerned about putting “dry clean” on their label. When in doubt,…

  • Collars and cuffs.

    Time to take your business wear out of the closet for a bright-light inspection for signs of wear on collars, cuffs and pockets. Take a good look at the elbows, too.  Shirts, sweaters and jackets take a beating at the elbow, even if you’re not a professional arm wrestler. Mark trouble spots with masking tape…

  • The pleasures of silk.

    Long-treasured for its luxurious feel and brilliant colors, silk is still made from the cocoons of silk worms. Natural animal fibers can be tricky to clean, and silk’s reputation for fussiness is well earned. Bright colors can fade, even a drop of perspiration can stain, and the rigors of washing can cause fabric damage, even…

  • A good night’s rest.

    If you’ve been lucky enough to sleep in a luxury hotel, you know how wonderful it feels to slide between crisp, clean sheets, lie your head on a fresh pillow and slumber like royalty. Keeping bed linens clean is easy if you have a large capacity front-loading washer (like ours). And our professional finishing is…

  • Stowing away winter leathers.

    Anything made of leather needs maintenance, especially if it’s been exposed to winter weather conditions. Shoes and boots should be wiped with a damp cloth, especially if salt-stained. Inspect jackets and coats for damage, tears or stains before hanging on a well-padded hanger for storage. Use leather conditioner on dry spots like elbows and seams.…

  • Enzymes to the rescue.

    How do we get shirts and laundry so bright and clean? We use enzyme-based premium-quality laundry cleaners that you can’t buy for home use. They’re more expensive and a lot more complicated to use than home products. Enzymes only work in a specific temperature range and require proper equipment to ensure the enzymes are allowed…

  • Post-holiday sweet spots?

    Did you think you were playing it safe with white wine and spritzers only to find nasty stains and marks on your party clothes?  Those sugary spills soak into the fabric and, when cleaned, take the dye right out with them. White wines may taste sweet, but they are sneaky when it comes to leaving…

  • Zapping a cranky zipper.

    When you’re trapped in a stuck zipper, Windex can save the day. First, test a hidden part of the fabric to make sure it won’t be damaged by the Windex. Then soak the zipper and slowly, slowly pull it to unzip. Go a little bit each time, resoak, and gently keep pulling. Be sure to…

  • Beanie or tuque, there’s nothing warmer than a stocking cap.

    Pull on a snug knitted cap to add some style to your bundled-up look. Knit or crocheted hats made of natural fibers should be hand-washed in cool water. Soak for twenty minutes in a mild detergent, agitate gently and never squeeze or wring. Rinse in cool water, lay flat and air dry to prevent shrinking.…