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.

Now that you’ve spent days and weeks (okay, maybe a few hours) hunting for the perfect gift to give that hard to buy for person, you need to wrap it.  But, since you took your time finding the perfect gift, complimentary gift boxes are nowhere to be found.  You want to make a good impression and it’s December 24th so what do you do?

Resist the urge to toss it in the recycled “Happy Birthday” gift bag.  Trust us, when giving a gift, whether it be to your Mother-in-Law or someone else, it’s all about presentation.  Although it may take a few more minutes, wrapping a gift verses throwing it into a gift bag makes the gift look more carefully chosen and thoughtful.  The recipient will immediately feel good about what’s inside. 

There are many items laying around the house that can be utilized to wrap your gift.  If the item can’t be wrapped without a box or something to protect it, we recommend a cereal box, empty pasta box, a shoe box, a large zip-lock bag, and empty coffee cans.

Once the item is packaged, look around for creative items to be used as wrapping paper such as old maps, brown paper grocery bags, cellophane, art paper, comics, old book pages, foil, a handkerchief or scarf, a festive dishtowel, or even an old (clean) T-shirt. 

If you are gifting an item of clothing, roll up the item and wrap some tissue paper around it, leaving enough on both ends to tie with a ribbon.  The result is a pretty gift that looks just like a piece of candy.

If you have time for a quick trip to the craft store, top off the gift with interesting decor such as ribbon, a brooch, fabric flowers, strands of cheap plastic beads, and string.  If there is no time to stop, don’t fret.  Look outside for pine cones, twigs, and acorns which are timely and festive.  Or you could re-purpose an old tie, belt, scarf, or sash that you don’t wear anymore. 

Your recipient already knows you have a winning personality and a great sense of humor.  Show him or her your creative side too.

Happy Wrapping and Happy Holidays from all of us at Classic Cleaners!

Eventually even the softest towels can get stiff and faded. And it is one of life’s cruel ironies that the more you launder your towels, the dingier they can get. Build-up from detergent and fabric softener is the main culprit as to why your comfy linens can get rough. To help combat the build-up and help loosen up the fabric, try these home remedies.

• Soak towels in hot water and 1/4 cup (or less) ammonia. The ammonia will help remove residue.
• Add 1 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle to help soften the fabric.
• When the machine is full of water, add 1 cup Epsom salt. This will help remove chemical build-up.
• Do not overload the washing machine. It is important not to smash and compact the fibers during the wash.
• Use a round brush to bring your towel back to life. Lay the towel flat on the bed and use long brush strokes. Follow the brushing with a wash without detergent.
• Do not hang your towels out to dry. Though quaint and environmentally friendly, line drying can contribute to the stiffness of towels. Tumble dry instead.

Try some of these tips next time you find your towels more scratchy than soft. And for all your other laundering needs, please visit your neighborhood Classic Cleaners.

It happens to us all. One day you go to put your favorite sweater on but it has taken a turn for the worse. The sweater looks worn beyond its years with those pesky pills all over it. But before you give up and make a trip to the local donation center, try these home remedies to revive your favorite comfy cardigan.

• Gently shave the sweater surface with a disposable razor. You may have to frequently wipe off the blades, but the razor will usually catch the smallest of pills.
• Use the hook side of Velcro to carefully brush over the sweater. Again, it may take some time to remove the pills from the Velcro.
• Purchase an electronic pill remover. That’s right, they make those! They are sold at some drug stores and online.
• For an extra fuzzy mess, make a bracelet of duct tape, sticky side facing out. Holding the bracelet, carefully press and release the tape to collect any loose fabric.
• Use the sweater stone. It is a specially designed pumice stone to remove pills. Some complain of the odor, though the results tend to be favorable.

The eventual breakdown of the fibers in your sweater is inevitable, regardless of the quality. The general rule is the softer the fabric is, the more likely it is to form pills. Synthetic and man-made fabrics will pill less than natural fibers like wool will. The small balls form from the smallest breaking of the fiber, so even a hug or brushing up against your kitchen cabinet can set in motion the next bunch of sweater pills.

For all your sweater laundering needs, be sure to check with the professionals at your neighborhood Classic Cleaners.