Proper clothing care can extend the lifespan of your clothes. This is why it’s essential to consult with a reputable dry cleaner.

Dry cleaning uses organic solvents instead of water to clean fabrics like silk, velvet, and wool. This prevents damage caused by a washing machine’s agitation and is safer for delicate materials.

Deep Cleaning

Many fabrics require professional care that you can’t get from your laundry machine at home. Some fabrics are even labeled dry clean only for good reason. At-home detergents may push stains like oil, food, and dye deep into your material. A professional dry cleaner like WashBistro will use powerful solvents and methods to eliminate those stains.

The first step of the dry cleaning process involves inspecting each item and tagging them with your customer number (most dry cleaners use paper or iron-on tags for their customers). This helps the dry cleaner keep track of your clothes, especially when similar items are cleaned together.

Then, your dry-cleaned pieces are put into the dry-cleaning machines. These machines use liquid solvents such as perchloroethylene, or perc, to remove stains from fabric. The EPA regulates the type of solvent dry cleaners use to ensure safety and environmental sustainability. Some facilities also use brominated solvents. These solvents are less hazardous than perchloroethylene but can still damage specific synthetic beads and sequins.

No Tough Tumbling

Dry cleaners are skilled at removing embedded stains that can otherwise cause dyes to run or leave behind offensive odors. They are also adept at preventing shrinkage. This process can be particularly effective for wool, silk, and other natural fibers vulnerable to excess moisture.

Regular washing can wreak havoc on delicate fabrics like silk and cashmere, leading to shrinkage, faded colors, or even holes in the material. However, dry cleaning experts use a gentle process that protects the fabric and maintains its original quality for extended periods.

Remember that your clothes are not just clothes but an investment in your appearance and style. So, it pays to keep them looking their best and lasting long enough for you to get the most use out of them. Investing in professional dry cleaning and pressing services can help lengthen the lifespan of your clothes while saving you money on replacements. So, why give it a try?

Safe for Delicate Fabrics

Some of the most precious items in your wardrobe are made from delicate fabrics like silk, cashmere, lace, and merino wool. These items must be hand-washed and not machine-washed to prevent damage to the fibers.

A dry cleaner can spot-clean these delicate items, using spotting solvents much more effectively than water for lifting oil or grease stains. Water is more likely to push the paint deeper into the fabric fibers, which can cause the color to fade or even run.

The most important tip is always to read the care label on your garments and follow the instructions, no matter what. Regular inspection of your clothes can help identify any problems or signs of wear and tear early on so that you aren’t surprised when the item stretches, shrinks, or gets a hole in it. Taking the time to make sure you get these repairs done as soon as possible is also a great way to extend your clothing’s lifespan.

Prevents Shrinkage

In today’s throwaway culture, it’s easy to wash a garment only once or twice and then get rid of it. These lightly or never-worn clothes usually end up in landfills or overcrowded markets. You can significantly extend your clothes’ lifespan by carefully following the washing instructions and using commercial fabric conditioners (or softeners).

Before starting the dry cleaning process, a professional cleaner will inspect your clothing by hand. This allows them to make note of any stains or areas that need special attention. This pre-treatment step also protects any delicate trimmings, such as beads, sequins, or lace, from damage during the dry cleaning.

Dry cleaners use a variety of solvents to clean clothes. Early solvents were petroleum-based and flammable; however, nowadays, most dry cleaners utilize non-toxic, organic perchloroethylene (perc) or decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (GreenEarth). These environmentally friendly solvents do not pollute the environment when used correctly. Dry-cleaned clothes should not smell of solvent or perc when they return home; if they do, it’s time to find a new dry cleaner!