Spring has finally arrived! Many of us were fortunate to experience a kinder and gentler winter in 2016. Still, spring turns our thoughts to warmer weather, relaxing vacations and special events ahead. As you start to swap out your wardrobe and plan for the months ahead, Swiss Cleaners has an array of services and tips for you that can help!

Swapping Out Clothing and Bedding

Getting ready to take out those warmer weather items? Before you put winter away it is important to give it one last cleaning. Why? Even items that appear free of dirt and stains are likely to contain body oils that can cause spots and even odors to evolve when left to set over time. These body oils, along with subtle food stains our eyes may have missed, also act as an attractant for insects, such as moths. Cleaning your clothing, bedding, tablecloths and other fabrics before storing them provides for their continued use and longer life!

Did you know that Swiss Cleaners will store your winter items for you for FREE, with paid cleaning? You give us your cold-weather items. We clean them and store them. Your order is ready for you in the fall. When you get your orders back you just pay for the cleaning – no storage fees!

Spring and Summer = Proms and Weddings

Warmer weather also brings more events. The most common and popular among them are proms and weddings. When choosing dresses, gowns and other outfits for these events, it is important to consider how to care for the garment after it has been worn. Instructions are provided by manufactures to let you know how to best clean and care for a garment. These care labels are usually found along an inside seam of the garment, along the neckline or inside a pocket. Here are some things to consider when reading care instructions:

Embellishment: If the outfit you are choosing has a form of embellishment, dry cleaning may prove to be hazardous to the survival of that embellishment. Beads, sequins, flocking, real or simulated leather and other trims often use dyes, plastics and glues that are not well-suited for dry cleaning. Garments are often produced and sold to a variety of stores. These stores often have embellishment added to create a style that is unique to that store. These additions are not reflected in the care label, which can sometimes result in dye-bleeding, cracking, separation and other damage to the trim and to the whole garment. What to do? If choosing a garment with special trim, try to find care labels that allow for washing. Although we are unable to guarantee results, we have found that trim often holds up best with professional washing.

Spot Clean Only: Garments that call for spot clean only cannot be dry cleaned or professionally washed. The process required here is to treat only the stain or spot that is dirty, leaving the rest of the garment untouched. The problem is that the treatments used to remove stains often leave their own rings and spots behind, which then cannot be removed without cleaning the garment. As professional dry cleaning and washing requires the entire garment to be cleaned, Swiss Cleaners is unable to only spot clean. We recommend avoiding garments with this care instruction if possible.

Did you know that Swiss Cleaners provides press and steam-only services for garments? Did you just buy a new suit, dress, gown or other outfit for an event, but it’s wrinkled or needs some freshening up? We want you to look your best and are happy to simply steam or press your garment at a reduced price!

Food Spills and Other Stains. What To Do?

Food, drink, makeup, deodorant…it seems like no matter how careful we are, stains are inevitable. The question is what to do when they appear.

After the spill it is important to act quickly, but deliberately in treating the stain. First, gently remove any excess sitting on top of the fabric (such as with a food spill). Second, use a white cloth to soak up any remaining liquid, working from the outside in so the stain doesn’t spread. Next, treat the area with a damp, white cloth lightly soaked in cool water, again working from the outside in. This will often help to lighten the area and in some cases may help remove the stain altogether. Finally, clean the item at home or bring it in to Swiss as soon as you can. AVOID pressing hard or rubbing a stain, using hot water, using excessive moisture or using chemicals or alcohols. These may actually expand the stain and can permanently damage the dyes in the fabric, though you may not notice the damage until after the garment is cleaned completely.

Makeup, deodorant, cologne, perfume and body oil: These stains are the most common, and yet are not as easily seen or treated. Without proper cleaning, spots can form and over time the acids from these stains can damage both the dyes and the fibers in the affected areas of the garment. It is important to always avoid spraying colognes and perfumes directly onto clothing. The best solution to minimize any negative impacts of makeup, deodorant, perfumes and body oils is have garments cleaned as soon after wear as is feasible.    

Stain removal is never a guarantee, and whether having your garments professionally cleaned or cleaning them at home, it can be surprising when stains do not come out, appear worse or even appear out of nowhere. Avoiding permanent stain hazards, properly treating stains and having your garments, bedding and tablecloths cleaned timely can go a long way in preventing these unfortunate disappointments.

Did you know that Swiss Cleaners cleans wedding gowns? Swiss can clean your wedding gown and present it back to you beautifully formed on a hanger or sealed in a viewing box with acid-free paper to ensure its longevity. Stop by any of our retail locations for more information on our cleaning services and a price quote. 

Alterations

Prom season is fast approaching, and whether it is the prom, another special event or an everyday need, Swiss Cleaners has a full-service alterations department able to assist you with most of your clothing alteration needs. Many simple items such as fixing a fallen hem, replacing a zipper or re-stitching an eye and hook can be dropped off at any of our locations. We are also able to provide fittings by appointment at our 35 Windsor Avenue location in Rockville. Here are some important things to remember when scheduling a fitting:

• It is best to allow for at least 2 weeks between the fitting the time you will need the garment.
• Please bring the shoes and undergarments you will wear with the outfit to the fitting.
• A second fitting may be suggested to allow for any final adjustments of the garment.

Call our Alterations Department for an appointment today! 860-872-0166

Did you know Swiss cleaners offers military alterations? Rank, insignia, patches, Velcro removal, and uniform fittings – we offer a full array of military alterations services at a 10% discount! Stop by or call us for more information.