Generally, the best rule is to follow the care instructions
on the manufacturer’s label. If there is no label and/or you wish to wash a garment
or fabric at home instead of dry clean, the properties of each fabric will help you
determine the care of the fabric or garment.
Dry Cleaning is by definition, cleaning
with solvents and little or no water. The combination of solvents and heat is hard on
fabrics and may cause as much wear as actual wearing of the garment. Perchlorethylene, the
cleaning fluid used by most dry cleaners, is the most effective cleaner so far for most
all types of fabrics. However, "perc" as it is called in the dry-cleaning
industry is classified as a hazardous air pollutant by the Clean Air Act. Perc is toxic.
Dry cleaning customers should take their garments out of the plastic bags and air their
garments after dry cleaning.
You, the consumer, can inform yourself when selecting a dry
cleaner. Common sense will cover the basic questions such as the appearance of the dry
cleaning store - - - Is it neat and clean or dirty and cluttered? Is the location
convenient and are they open when you need to drop of or pick up your dry cleaning?
Technical considerations include solvent purity. Solvent
must be distilled to remove greases, oils, waxes and dyes. Poor solvent purity or quality
can result in an objectionable odor in the garment and a "graying" of white
clothing.
Pressing after cleaning should also be considered. Most
anyone can press wool pants but it takes a skilled professional presser to do a quality
job on linen and silk items. If the dry cleaner cannot explain the difference in pressing
linen and silk versus wool directly and authoritatively, it is doubtful that these
garments will be handled with the care they require. Linen can withstand higher heat when
ironed, and should be pressed when damp. Silk requires a lower temperature iron and should
be steam ironed, preferably with a press cloth. Wool should be pressed with steam and a
moderate temperature.
Packaging of the cleaned garment is also important. A
garment can be cleaned and pressed well but if it is jammed into a small bag, it can
become a wrinkled mess. Jamming too many finished and bagged garments into the dry
cleaners rack can also wrinkle finished garments.
Finally, develop a dialogue with your dry cleaner. Note the
type of stains that you have on your garment and list it for the dry cleaner. Their
pre-spotting will help eliminate stains that could otherwise be heat set after the garment
is cleaned.
Be an informed and fair consumer. Not all spots can be
removed especially if you, the consumer, have pressed the stain into the fabric. Many
stains can be heat set. Garment care is the responsibility of both you and your dry
cleaner.
Wet Cleaning is described as a new process
by some cleaning establishments. They advertise that their process will replace dry
cleaning and the environmentally dangerous solvents they use. However, until this process
is perfected and proven to effectively replace dry cleaning, caution should be used by the
consumer. Wet cleaning is accomplished by using water based chemicals. Some cleaning
establishments actually claim to have this service but just hand wash the garment and then
professionally press the garment. This process works well with some fabrics which have
manufacturers labels stating "hand wash". Garments with labels printed "dry
clean only" may shrink, fade, or wrinkle so badly that pressing does not restore then
original look of the fabric.
New "wet cleaning" stores are available in some
areas. The "wet cleaning" process involves computer controlled machines, soap,
conditioners and finishers. This new process is supposed to replace dry cleaning. However,
until the wet cleaning process has been thoroughly tested, care should be taken before
taking your favorite "dry clean only" garments to the new establishments. Outer
fabric, interfacings, linings, shoulder pads, and finishes all react differently when
washed. Some fabrics shrink or change shape when washed. Some shoulder pads are designed
for dry cleaning only and may fall apart when washed.
Professional laundering is offered by most
dry cleaners. Washable garments are professionally washed and pressed. Men’s and
women’s shirts are often bleached and starched according to the manufacturers label.
Some of the laundering is done with very hot water which may shrink the interfacing or
stiffening used in collars and cuffs. Less expensive garments may use interfacing that
either shrinks or comes loose with very hot water. These garments cannot be fixed.
Starching shirts and other cotton or cotton/polyester
garments is common. The basic function of starch is to stiffen the garment. Incidental use
is to prevent stains from penetrating the fiber. However, starch leaves minute crystals in
the fiber and can often wear the garment out faster than a garment that has not been
starched. The choice is then appearance versus longer life for your garment.
Home Laundering is not only easier to
control but can add life to your garments. Choosing a detergent for home laundering is a
daunting task!
Detergents are chemical compounds that contain wetting
agents and emulsifiers. Technically detergents are called "Synthetic Detergents"
as they are not made from fats and lye from which soap is made. Generally the labels on
the detergent inform you, the consumer, and make the choice easier.
General purpose laundry detergents work well on most
washable fabrics. Some detergents take more product for each wash as fillers are used by
the detergent manufacture. Recently, detergent companies have started to reduce the amount
of fillers in their products, thus the amount of detergent required per load of laundry is
less. Read the label to determine various additives. Added bleach may gradually remove the
dyes or color unless the garment is colorfast to bleach. Most all detergents have
"surfactants" this is nothing new. Whiteners can be either bleach or bluing
agents. More expensive is not always better.
Soap is not the same as detergents. All detergents are
soaps but not all soaps are detergents. Confused? Soap was first used in 600 BC Soap was
first made by boiling goat fat, water, and ash high in potassium carbonate. Although soap
has been improved over the years, it still leaves a deposit we call "soap scum"
in the shower and bath. This scum is difficult to remove from fabrics if soap is used in
the laundry.
Chlorine bleaches can safely be used on cotton,
cotton/polyester and some man made fabrics. Consult the garment care label or properties
of individual fibers listed in this booklet.
Hand washing detergents can be used for home laundry when
cleaning fine fabrics. These products are often effective when using cold water. However,
not all hand washing detergents are milder than regular laundry products although they are
often more expensive. Properties to look for when using hand washing detergents include
use in cold water, quick dissolving in cold water, and complete rinsing of the detergent
after the wash.
To test hand washing detergents or any detergent, dissolve
recommended amount of detergent in a quart of cold water. Allow the detergent and water to
sit for 24 hours. Note the residue, if any, in the bottom of the quart jar. This residue
may be difficult to rinse out of your garment.
Shampoos can also be used for hand washing garments. Use a
good shampoo, not one containing "creme rinse". If your shampoo cleans your hair
and leaves it shiny with no residues, it usually cleans your garment too.
Fabric softeners, both liquid and dryer sheets, add
products to your fabrics. Some of the softeners are wax based which leaves a coating on
the fibers creating a feel of softer but reducing the absorbency of the fiber. Some
softeners have a perfume that is allergy related for many people. If you have ever used a
fabric softener dryer sheet with your polyester garments, you may have seen
"grease" spots appear on your garment. This is actually a wax and can be removed
by re-washing. |
