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TEXTILES
Back to topic listDRAPERIES
Dry cleaning or professional laundering often can prolong the life of household draperies. With proper care, draperies made of an average grade of fabric can be expected to last many years. Dry cleaners often encounter problems with draperies because of environmental conditions in the household. Water damage from window condensation, prolonged exposure to moisture and humidity, and sunlight can discolour and weaken fabric, causing shredding when draperies are exposed to the agitation of cleaning. The combined effects of age, moisture, light, heat, tobacco, smoke, and other atmospheric soils can cause fabrics to permanently yellow.
Laundering, dry cleaning, or excessive changes in relative humidity can cause shrinkage in draperies that have not been properly preshrunk, particularly cotton and rayon. Special drapery finishing equipment that re-stretches the fabric often can correct such shrinkage.
Distortion and fabric stiffening also can occur during the cleaning process. Some drapery constructions use a combination of several fibers to produce a desired weave or design. The presence of heat-sensitive fibers can cause considerable distortion during the normal cleaning, deodorizing, and finishing cycle. Other draperies contain reflective coatings that may not be totally resistant to dry cleaning and may stiffen and blister the fabric. Some coatings may separate, peel, or self-stick in cleaning.
Dry cleaning or professional laundering often can prolong the life of household draperies. With proper care, draperies made of an average grade of fabric can be expected to last many years. Dry cleaners often encounter problems with draperies because of environmental conditions in the household. Water damage from window condensation, prolonged exposure to moisture and humidity, and sunlight can discolour and weaken fabric, causing shredding when draperies are exposed to the agitation of cleaning. The combined effects of age, moisture, light, heat, tobacco, smoke, and other atmospheric soils can cause fabrics to permanently yellow.
Laundering, dry cleaning, or excessive changes in relative humidity can cause shrinkage in draperies that have not been properly preshrunk, particularly cotton and rayon. Special drapery finishing equipment that re-stretches the fabric often can correct such shrinkage.
Distortion and fabric stiffening also can occur during the cleaning process. Some drapery constructions use a combination of several fibers to produce a desired weave or design. The presence of heat-sensitive fibers can cause considerable distortion during the normal cleaning, deodorizing, and finishing cycle. Other draperies contain reflective coatings that may not be totally resistant to dry cleaning and may stiffen and blister the fabric. Some coatings may separate, peel, or self-stick in cleaning.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
BEDSPREADS AND COMFORTERS
Many bedspreads and comforters, especially those that are tailored and quilted, should be dry cleaned or professionally laundered. Check for care instructions when making your purchase since they may appear on a temporary label or on the packaging instead of being attached to the items themselves. It is wise to dry clean or launder all matching or coordinating items at the same time and by the same process. This way, any colour changes, however minimal, will be uniform.
Many bedspreads and comforters, especially those that are tailored and quilted, should be dry cleaned or professionally laundered. Check for care instructions when making your purchase since they may appear on a temporary label or on the packaging instead of being attached to the items themselves. It is wise to dry clean or launder all matching or coordinating items at the same time and by the same process. This way, any colour changes, however minimal, will be uniform.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
UPHOLSTERY AND SLIPCOVERS
Upholstery is usually cleaned in place by a professional cleaning process, so that cushion covers continue to match the rest of the furniture. Many slipcovers and sets of cushion covers for rattan furniture are suitable for dry cleaning, but consumers should be aware of potential problems with some upholstery fabrics. Some fabrics may not be suited for immersion cleaning. Haitian cotton and other fabrics with a loose weave are easily damaged by the agitation of cleaning. Unfortunately, backings that are added to loosely woven upholstery fabrics for stability often soften or dissolve when cleaned with solvents. Also, fabrics not adequately preshrunk in manufacturing may shrink in cleaning. Obviously, if this happens with a cushion cover or a slipcover, it will no longer fit the piece of furniture.
Upholstery is usually cleaned in place by a professional cleaning process, so that cushion covers continue to match the rest of the furniture. Many slipcovers and sets of cushion covers for rattan furniture are suitable for dry cleaning, but consumers should be aware of potential problems with some upholstery fabrics. Some fabrics may not be suited for immersion cleaning. Haitian cotton and other fabrics with a loose weave are easily damaged by the agitation of cleaning. Unfortunately, backings that are added to loosely woven upholstery fabrics for stability often soften or dissolve when cleaned with solvents. Also, fabrics not adequately preshrunk in manufacturing may shrink in cleaning. Obviously, if this happens with a cushion cover or a slipcover, it will no longer fit the piece of furniture.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
HEIRLOOM TEXTILES
Antique quilts and linens require great care in cleaning, and Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners is equipped to perform this delicate work. Let our staff know that the item is old and will require special treatment. Often, antique linens or old quilts will be badly discoloured, but, using proper cleaning procedures we are able to remove some stains or discolourations.
Antique quilts and linens require great care in cleaning, and Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners is equipped to perform this delicate work. Let our staff know that the item is old and will require special treatment. Often, antique linens or old quilts will be badly discoloured, but, using proper cleaning procedures we are able to remove some stains or discolourations.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
PROLONGING TEXTILE LIFE
How long textiles will last depends in part on their selection and on the care you give them. Here are some hints to prolong their usefulness:
· Remember that closely woven fabrics are more durable than loosely woven fabrics.
· Consider the amount of sun exposure the fabrics will receive.
· Silk is the most vulnerable to light degradation, and acrylic, modacrylic, polyester, and glass fibers are the most resistant.
· Read all care instructions before making a purchase.
· Rotate draperies to vary light exposure.
· Inform your cleaner about any care information you may have from the original hang tag or literature obtained at the time of purchase.
· Remember that regular cleaning is important in prolonging the life of textiles.
· Surface soils can abrade carpets, rugs, and upholstery fibers.
· Since there are so many potential problems, many dry cleaners are reluctant to clean draperies or upholstery items without having you sign a statement accepting the potential risk. Bear in mind that this does not release the cleaner from an obligation to treat the item with appropriate care.
How long textiles will last depends in part on their selection and on the care you give them. Here are some hints to prolong their usefulness:
· Remember that closely woven fabrics are more durable than loosely woven fabrics.
· Consider the amount of sun exposure the fabrics will receive.
· Silk is the most vulnerable to light degradation, and acrylic, modacrylic, polyester, and glass fibers are the most resistant.
· Read all care instructions before making a purchase.
· Rotate draperies to vary light exposure.
· Inform your cleaner about any care information you may have from the original hang tag or literature obtained at the time of purchase.
· Remember that regular cleaning is important in prolonging the life of textiles.
· Surface soils can abrade carpets, rugs, and upholstery fibers.
· Since there are so many potential problems, many dry cleaners are reluctant to clean draperies or upholstery items without having you sign a statement accepting the potential risk. Bear in mind that this does not release the cleaner from an obligation to treat the item with appropriate care.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
POOR GARMENT CONSTRUCTION
Although garments that are labeled “Dry clean” should be made to withstand proper finishing that is not always the case. Steam used to remove wrinkles and restore a garment to its proper shape can sometimes cause damage, particularly to suede, leather, fur, and certain synthetic materials.
Garments with decorative trim elements placed very close together also can be difficult to finish, even with a hand iron. Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners sees hundreds of garments each week. We may suggest that there is considerable risk in processing a garment whose trim may be damaged by following the care label. In that case, we may ask you to sign a consent form before proceeding with any cleaning. Unfortunately, we are faced with the fact that there are many poor-quality garments on the market today. If you experience a problem with an inaccurate care label, do not hesitate to return the garment to the retailer for an adjustment. The retailer should likewise return it to the manufacturer.
Although garments that are labeled “Dry clean” should be made to withstand proper finishing that is not always the case. Steam used to remove wrinkles and restore a garment to its proper shape can sometimes cause damage, particularly to suede, leather, fur, and certain synthetic materials.
Garments with decorative trim elements placed very close together also can be difficult to finish, even with a hand iron. Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners sees hundreds of garments each week. We may suggest that there is considerable risk in processing a garment whose trim may be damaged by following the care label. In that case, we may ask you to sign a consent form before proceeding with any cleaning. Unfortunately, we are faced with the fact that there are many poor-quality garments on the market today. If you experience a problem with an inaccurate care label, do not hesitate to return the garment to the retailer for an adjustment. The retailer should likewise return it to the manufacturer.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
