Despite the name, dry cleaning isn’t actually dry – the process does involve liquid, only that liquid isn’t water.  The basic goal of dry cleaning is the same as with laundry (should we call laundry “wet cleaning”?) – to remove dirt and stains from garments.

Have you ever thought about how washing actually gets clothes clean?  According to scienceclarified.com, most of the dirt that collects on clothing (or on our bodies or on dishes, for that matter) is surrounded by a layer of oil.  That’s the reason washing clothes in water with no detergent would not affect the dirt. (Since oil and water don’t mix, the water could never approach the dirt!)  That’s where detergent  and laundry soap come in – the detergent molecules attach at one end to the oily dirt, with the other end “attached” to the water molecules.  The dirt is “pulled” into the water, and it can then be rinsed right down the drain.

So why can’t we launder all our garments? Certain fabrics (silk, rayon, and wool blends, for example) don’t do well when put into water: 

• The fabric shrinks
• The garment shape becomes distorted
• The fabric fades or changes color because of a chemical reaction

How Stuff Works explains that water molecules interact with certain fibers to make them expand, contract, or change.  Because dry cleaning solutions have a chemical makeup that is different from water, garments typically don’t shrink or fade.  At the same time, though, the dirt and stains “attach” and float off the clothes.

At Classic Cleaners, we know both cleaning and laundry play an important part in protecting your wardrobe.  We carefully check the care labels of your garments and use the dry cleaning or laundering process that will produce the best cleaning results.  We even go the extra mile and clean your garments by hand when needed.  At Classic Cleaners, we keep those molecules marching in exactly the right direction!

—Reb of the Classic Cleaners Blog Team

Top 10 things to look for when choosing a dry cleaner

Post series intro

10. Knowledge of dry cleaning
9. Membership in a dry cleaning association
8. Clean stores
7. No odor on clothes
6. Properly removed stains
5. Skillful ironing
4. Intact buttons
3. Simple repairs made
2. White garments white
1. Ready to wear!

My Dry Cleaner says,

Check out the cleanliness of the store. Some stores are dirty. If a cleaner cannot keep his store clean, how can they be trusted to clean your clothes?

This may be the most obvious point on the list! Very little elaboration is required. The only thing I’ll add is that any business ought to be clean–it’s not brain surgery to pick up a mop and swab the deck, right?

Dry cleaning your clothes right, however, is as tough–and as complicated–as brain surgery! And we do that perfectly!

We invite you to visit any of Classic Cleaners’ 17 spotlessly clean locations and check out how spotlessly clean they are for yourself! Then check out your clothes–if you’ve cleaned them with us, they’re spotless too!

–Matt
The Classic Cleaners Blog Team

Top 10 things to look for when choosing a dry cleaner

Post series intro

10. Knowledge of dry cleaning
9. Membership in a dry cleaning association
8. Clean stores
7. No odor on clothes
6. Properly removed stains
5. Skillful ironing
4. Intact buttons
3. Simple repairs made
2. White garments white
1. Ready to wear!

My Dry Cleaner advises,

Talk to your dry cleaner about your garments. See how knowledgeable he/she is about textiles.

We agree. We invite you to talk to anyone at Classic Cleaners about your cleaning needs–our associates at our stores and plants are ready to answer your questions. In addition, your route driver (click here for information on FREE dry cleaning and laundry pickup and delivery) is another expert who is ready to help.

We’ve been doing dry cleaning for 25 years and pride ourselves on having the most advanced equipment and techniques in the state of Indiana. In addition, our executives get their hands dirty at the plants and take a leadership role in continually upgrading and advancing our technology. They are ready to answer your questions personally.

Should you ever have a question, simply contact us. We’ll respond quickly and, we believe, to your satisfaction.

–Matt
The Classic Cleaners Blog Team

Who truly enjoys washing clothes at home? Here’s some good news: You don’t have to do it yourself! Classic Cleaners offers the best laundry service (fluff and fold, family wash) in Indianapolis. Here’s how it works:

• Simply take all of your unwashed clothes and put them in your Classic Cleaners laundry bags (if you don’t have your own Classic Cleaners laundry bags yet, come on in for VIP-level customer service!).
• Put items to be dry-cleaned in separate bags–we’ll take care of those for you too!
• Bring your bags into your favorite Classic Cleaners location.
• Or use our FREE home delivery route to have your laundry picked up–and then dropped off once it’s perfectly clean and fluffy!

You’ll save lots of time and hassle! Try it today–you’ll be amazed by the convenience!

–Matt
The Classic Cleaners Blog Team

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