What is dry cleaning?
Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment?
What other steps can I take to care for my clothes?
What should I do about stains?
Is starch good for my shirts?
How should I care for my leather garments?
How should I care for my silk garments?
How should I care for my wool garments?

What is dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning uses fluids to remove soil and stains from fabric. In fact, the term "dry cleaning" is misleading; it is called dry cleaning because the fluid contains little or no water and does not penetrate the fibers as water does.

Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment?

On the contrary, frequent cleaning prolongs the life of a garment. Not only do stains set with age, making the garment unwearable, but ground-in dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing rapid wear of fibers. Also, insects are attracted to soiled clothes and will cause further damage.

What other steps can I take to care for my clothes?

Avoid having your fabrics come in contact with perfumes, lotions, hair spray, mousse, and hair gel. Allow deodorants and antiperspirants to dry before you dress. These substances dry invisible, but age, exposure and the heat of drying after cleaning will cause these stains to oxidize and become visible. Also, protect your clothing from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or even strong artificial light. Bright colors, especially blues and greens, tend to oxidize and fade.

What should I do about stains?

Bring the item in for professional care as soon as possible. Discuss any stains with your dry cleaner. Be especially sure to point out light-colored or invisible spills such as from soft drinks or white wine. These stains contain sugar, which can caramelize and turn brown with the heat of drying unless flushed out before dry cleaning.

Is starch good for my shirts?

Starch acts as a shield, protecting the surface of the shirt from abrasion and some staining. Soil will accumulate on the surface, but will not penetrate into the fibers. Also, starch increases the light reflection of the fabric, making it appear whiter. Unfortunately, starch will decrease the fabric strength and cause some creasing and breaking of fibers. Medium starch is recommended as the best choice.

How should I care for my leather garments?

Store your garment in a cool, ventilated area. Leather can dry out if exposed to dry heat, or mildew if stored in a hot, humid environment. If your leather garment gets wet, let it air-dry away from heat. Do not store leather in a plastic bag. If staining occurs, take the garment to a professsional cleaner as soon as possible. Do not try to remove spots at home. When taking your leather garment to a professional cleaner, it is helpful to provide any care information that came with the garment. Be sure to point out any stains, since stains that are old cannot always be removed safely.

How should I care for my silk garments?

Dry cleaning is generally preferred for silk, since laundering detergents and dyes in other clothes may adversely affect it. For washable silk, it is important that you follow the instructions on the care label carefully. Have perspiration stains removed by a professional cleaner as soon as possible. Perspiration contains salts that can cause silk to change color, and even disintegrate and weaken it.

How should I care for my wool garments?

Dry clean your wool garments once a season, especially before storing. Store wool with fresh cedar blocks to keep moths away. You can refresh wool garments quickly after wearing or unpacking by hanging them in a steamy bathroom.