Meet Theresa Golish, our stain removal specialist. Theresa celebrates her 6th year with Classic Cleaners this May.  When your stained items come into our plant, Theresa is the individual who diligently works to get every spot out so your item looks new again.  

Get to know her via our recent Q-&-A session.  You’ll notice that she’s one of our most loyal employees and she’s devoted to her family.

Q: If you had to change your full name, what would you call yourself ?
A: Jasmine Jewel.  I think every girl likes flowers and jewelry (and it’s what I named my Daughter).

Q: Where were you born?
A: Anderson, IN

Q: What is your favorite kind of challenge on the job?
A: Taking an item that looks “trashed” and making it look brand new.

Q: What is your favorite tool at Classic Cleaners and why?
A: We call it a Susie but it’s called a Form Finisher.  Once an item is cleaned, this tool makes finishing so much easier.  It steams, drys and shapes the garment to like-new condition.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Classic Cleaners?
A: Working 5 days a week and having Holidays off.

Q: What is your favorite type of fabric and why?
A: Polyester because it’s the easiest material to remove spots from and it’s nice to wear.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A: Sunbathing, riding Harleys and having bonfires with my Family & Friends.

Q: If you were a toy, what toy would you be?
A: Tinkerbell because it’s my Daughter’s favorite character.

Q: If you were asked to speak to a graduating high school class, what would you say?
A: Choose a career you’re going to be happy with – not just for financial reasons.  Choose something you’re going to enjoy each day.  Remember that even when something doesn’t go your way, life goes on and things can change for the better.

Q: If you had a time machine and could be transported to any time, the past or the future, what time and place would you choose and why?
A: 1990 was a good year.  I was younger and had my whole life ahead of me.  I love my family but back then, I was old enough to be responsible but young enough to be more carefree.

Q: If you had to spend 100 days on a deserted island, what five things would you take with you and why?
A:
1. Toothbrush – I couldn’t stand not being able to brush my teeth.
2. Soap.
3. Deodorant.
4. Shampoo – I like to be clean.
5. Matches for my bonfires and to cook food.

Thank you, Theresa, for letting our Customers get to know you and for a great job de-spotting our favorite clothing items!

Don’t you cringe when your favorite shirt, blouse, jeans, or jacket is clearly on it’s last leg?  Sometimes your favorite, classic, still relevant pieces wear out before you’re ready to put them in the toss pile.  We can’t prevent the fibers from breaking down completely (washing & wearing naturally breaks them down little by little) but here are some pro-active steps to take when choosing garments followed by care tips to keep them looking new as long as possible.

Choosing a Quality Garment      

Wherever you choose to shop for clothing , check the quality of the fabrics & cut of the items.  Even an item thought to be a higher end garment could have a discrepancy.  Overstock stores are more popular than ever due to the ability to find “high quality” items at a reduced cost but always do your due diligence and check the item for the following:

• Note how the garment hangs on the hanger.   Do the seams hang straight?  If there is a lining, does it flow smoothly with the cut of the garment?  If you crush the fabric in your hand, does it resist wrinkling?If the garment has a pattern does the pattern line up at the seams. 
• Check the garments construction.  Look at the hems, stitching, zippers, buttons & button holes.  Hems that are 1-1/2 width are best and should be nearly invisible with no puckering when the item is hanging.  Seams should be straight and preferably wider v. narrower to prevent breakage and fraying.  Zippers should zip and unzip easily and buttonholes should be sewn tightly with no loose threads.
• Read the label.  Fiber content, blend level and care instructions are important clues to how the garment may perform over time.  Instructions that indicate wash in cold water could mean the fabric may shrink or the dyes may run or fade.  The hang tag also contains additional information such as the fabric characteristics and a description of it’s quality.  Cottons, linens or rayons have the potential to shrink, stretch or fade without proper care.

Caring for your garment:

As we mentioned last week, some garments can be worn more than once before washing.  Washing too frequently can shorten a garment’s life span.  Always follow the care label instructions for washing each garment and use the proper amount of detergent.  Detergent left in the fibers can damage the fabric.  Here are more care tips to help your clothes last. 

• Store your clothing properly.  Put your clothing away in a drawer or on a shelf and hang your hanging garments on good hangers to support your clothes.  Thin wire hangers can cause your knits to sag so we recommend folding your knits.  Never hang wet items on a metal hanger.  Heavier items such as suit jackets and blazers should hang on hangers that support the shoulders and allow them to drape naturally. 
• Weed out your closet to avoid over crowding and allow your favorite items to breath.  This can eliminate the need to iron or steam a garment before wearing.
• Remove stains and/or point them out to your Dry Cleaner immediately.  See our Tips on Stain Removal.
• Make repairs as needed either by yourself or choose a quality Tailor/Seamstress.
• Air dry clothing when you can by hanging or lying it flat to dry.  When using the dryer, be careful not to leave them in too long.  Dry them just long enough to remove wrinkles and moisture.   Overdrying garments can “set” wrinkles, increase static cling, and cause shrinkage. 
• If you need to iron, use an ironing board and stretch the garment flat.  Again, check the care label and follow it to a “T” when choosing your heat setting.  Keep the iron moving to prevent scorching or burning the garment. 
• Let items rest, give expensive investments extra care, and remove dust or lint regularly.

And last but not least, choose a reputable dry cleaner to ensure your dry-cleaned items and/or family wash items are receiving the proper treatment and care.

We love our sweaters and more times than not, we’ve paid a little more for them than other items in our wardrobe.  For your sweaters to maintain that just like new appearance, they must be stored properly on a daily basis.  If you want your sweaters to last until next winter, follow our very important tips on how to store them THIS season.

Sweaters should be folded when storing.   Hanging the sweater will result in a larger sweater than the last time you put it on as it will stretch.  Once the fibers are stretched out, it’s difficult to regain it’s original shape. 

Store sweaters dry.   Never put away a damp sweater.  This will encourage mildew or mold to grow and this cannot be removed.  The mildew and mold may spread to surrounding clothing and they all will smell bad. 

Do not store with moth balls.  They are stinky and they are unhealthy for human beings.  Use cedar balls or mixed herbal sachets as a safe alternative. 

Keep your wardrobe clean.  Give your sweater a good shake after each wearing to remove fluff and dust.  Remove dandruff, hair and lint regularly.  Also, dust and vacuum your closet regularly to avoid dust settling into the fibers of your sweaters when you aren’t wearing them. 

Remove stains immediately.  Even the smallest stain should be removed before you put it back into your closet.  The fresher the stain, the more likely it will come clean. And remember to never rub a stain; blot, blot, blot.  Click here to read our tips on stain removal at home.

Remove pilling from from your sweater regularly.  Pilling is caused by the sweater rubbing together in places like your side, under the arms, on elbows and on the chest during wear.  Remove them often this season because the pilling can become worse when you store them for the summer.  Click here to read how to De-Pill your sweaters.

Follow the washing care instructions on the label.   If the label says “dry-clean only”, we recommend having it professionally cleaned.  The manufacturer recommends dry cleaning because of a sweater’s design, bulk, trim, or fiber content and it should be entrusted to a reputable professional dry cleaner.  If the label says “hand wash only”, Click here to read how to do it properly.

Remove dry cleaned sweaters from their plastic bags.  There is usually some moisture involved in the cleaning and pressing of garments. The plastic bag traps in moisture and can cause mildew which is a real threat to the integrity of the clothing’s fibers.

Give your sweater a break.  Wearing it too frequently, even though you love it, will cause it to lose shape or build up hard-to-remove perspiration stains.  Alternate your favorite sweater with other sweaters or jackets. 

Let your deodorant and perfume/cologne dry or set before putting on your sweater.  Perfume or cologne is best sprayed on your body before you dress as it can weaken the fibers of your sweater.

Accessorize your neck with a scarf.  The scarf acts as a buffer between your face makeup and neck grime and the collar of your sweater.  As a bonus, if you are sensitive to a fiber the sweater is made of, such as wool, the scarf will reduce that discomfort.

At Classic Cleaners, we’re experts in caring for sweaters.  Let us help you maintain the integrity of your wardrobe with our current promotion of $3.00 off each dry cleaned sweater until March 3, 2012.  We’ll help your sweaters look just like new so they can continue to keep you warm and cozy year after year.  We’ll even come pick them up from you for free when you sign up for our free pick-up and delivery service.

The hustle and bustle of the Holiday season is coming to a close and New Years Eve is right around the corner.  Here are a few tips on how to dispose of common Holiday leftovers and clean up after the party has ended.

Christmas Tree:  One-third of all Christmas tree fires occur in January verses December, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.  It’s important to dispose your Christmas tree as soon as it shows signs of drying out.  It’s best to cut the tree down into pieces that will fit into your waste container and put it out on the curb on collection day.  Some cities offer drop off locations for residents to recycle their Christmas trees.  For example, in the Indianapolis area, Indy Parks & Recreation will offer eight drop-off locations in Marion County from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31, 2010.  For more information visit IndyParks.org. 

Food:  If you have pets, be sure to dispose of bones in a secure trash can, preferably one outside, even if they don’t usually bother with your inside trash can.  The rich scent could entice them to dig through it.  Veterinarians claim that during the Holiday season many animals make a trip to the emergency clinic due to obstructions caused from table scraps. 

Candle Wax:  Those festive candles sure are pretty but they can leave a bit of a mess as they melt, get bumped and drip all over your clothing, linens, carpet, and table cloths.  Before trying our tips, be sure to read the care label on the item and when in doubt, take it to a professional. 

The best way to remove candle wax from washable materials is to first gently scrape to remove excess.  Next place the stain between two pieces of white blotting paper and press with a warm iron using care.  With colored wax, be sure to change the paper as it absorbs the stain because this stain can spread easily.  And use extreme care when pressing.  If any trace of the stain remains flush with a stain-removing agent.  Rinse well with clear water and dry. 

To remove candle wax from unwashable materials, freeze the wax to harden it by applying ice against the stain.  Carefully scrape the excess then place an absorbent pad under the stain & flush with a stain remover.  Allow to dry and repeat if necessary. 

To remove wax from Carpet, Felt, Leather, & Suede, first freeze to harden the wax.  For Leather & Suede, place the ice in a plastic bag first before applying.  Gently scrape to remove excess from the surface.  If any stain still remains on your leather or suede, mix a thick paste of fuller’s earth with water, apply and allow it to dry.  Carefully brush it off with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush.

REMEMBER:  ALWAYS follow the cleaning label of chemicals and if you see a colore or texture change in the material, stop immediately.  Have a professional remove the wax. 

If you have any questions regarding removing wax from your materials, please contact us for help.  Or, you may bring your items into any of our 17 locations and we’ll happily help remove the wax from the items for you.