With snow on the ground and cold winds blowing outside, there’s nothing more comforting than, well, a comforter, especially if it’s a bed comforter made of down, right? “Of course right!”, as Yenta the Matchmaker from Fiddler on the Roof might say. Ah, but, down feathers in a comforter can bring comfort only if those feathers stay where they belong!

“Down is the soft inner plumage of waterfowl such as ducks and geese,” explains Supercomfort.com, adding that” down has numerous light, fluffy filaments extending in all directions, without a feather’s quill shaft.  Down keeps birds cooler in summer yet warmer in winter, and provides breathable comfort.”

Classic Cleaners’ expertise in bedding cleaning extends to quilts, bedspreads, and down pillow rejuvenation, along with cleaning of down comforters.  Our technicians always follow the instructions given on the manufacturer’s care label of each item. In the rare instances where problems arise, those problems are due to poor construction of the comforter. The typical comforter is made from cotton fabric stuffed with goose down.  Intersecting stitching lines keep the down properly distributed throughout the entire area of the comforter.  However, if there is an inadequate amount of stitching, the tumbling action during the dry cleaning process can stress the fabric, so that the feathers pop out or become bunched in one spot.

The Federal Trade Commission says care labels must explain one safe cleaning method for each garment or item, but, if the comforter is not properly constructed to begin with, it may still break down even when the prescribed method of care is used.  Feathers poking through the fabric on a down comforter? That almost always means the responsibility lies with the manufacturer. Right? Of course right! by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

Different dry cleaners handle clothes differently. But which of those differences – differences in processes, differences in equipment, and differences in expertise –  are going to matter most when it comes to helping your family’s garments lasting their longest and looking their best?

Take this simple ten-question test to see just how much you know about dry cleaning….

1.  Table linens should always be laundered in water that is 110º.

 ___True                           ___False

2. The certification for environmentally responsible dry cleaning practices is
 called Green Dry Cleaner.

  ___True                           ___False
                  
3.   To preserve wedding gowns, you should store them in special boxes treated with  acid.
 

___True                           ___False
                 
4. If a garment has studs or beaded buttons, the buttons should be detached prior to dry cleaning and reattached.

___True                           ___False

 
5.  Home dry cleaning never rinses out the spotting solution.

 ___True                           ___False

 6. If you get bubble gum on a garment, scrape the gum off the best you can before
 bringing the garment to the dry cleaners.

 ___True                           ___False

7. When drapes have smoke damage, homeowners trying to clean them on their own will only smear soot into the fabric.
 
 ___True                           ___False

8. Dry cleaned clothes should be kept in their plastic bags until you’re ready to put them on.

___True                           ___False

9. Zippers should be left open when clothes are hanging in the closet, in order to allow fabric to “breathe”.

 ___True                           ___False

10.  If a garment label reads “fire retardant“, the dry cleaners must use special non liquid cleaning agents on that garment.

___True                           ___False

How did you do on the test? At Classic Cleaners,” the modern craft of clean” combines the latest in equipment and technology with decades of experience in caring for clothes. Nothing less than a ten out of ten will do for our customers!

 
Answer key: (Click on the link for each question to find the full explanation.)
True: 4, 5, 7, 10
False: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

 All dry cleaning is local, you might argue. After all, no one ships  clothes out of state to be laundered or dry cleaned! So, if your dry cleaners is locally operated, is it important whether it’s locally owned? 

Classic Cleaners - born, bred, and involved in local Indiana

CityofSoundcom thinks so. “Locally owned independent retailers contribute a vast amount to cities…  recent research from the US indicates that between 54 and 58 cents of every dollar spent at a locally-owned retailer stays in that local environment.” (The article goes on to explain why: Local businesspeople employ local accountants, local delivery services, local web designers, local signwriters, local architects, advertise in the local newspaper, and so on.

Staylocal.org of New Orleans lists no fewer than ten reasons to shop local:

1. Protect local character and prosperity
2. Community well being
3. Local decision making
4. Keeping dollars in the local economy
5. Jobs and wages
6. Entrepreneurship
7. Public benefits and costs
8. Environmental sustainability
9. Competition
10. Product diversity

Classic Cleaners is locally owned and locally operated. The first Classic Cleaners store opened in Indianapolis in January 1985.  Today, there are 17 stores in locations that include Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville and McCordsville along with Indianapolis.  Pickup and delivery service is available in the surrounding localities bordered by Fortville, Pittsboro, and Cicero.

As far as the Staylocal.org list, Classic Cleaners is certainly 10 for 10. Through membership in the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Carmel Chamber of Commerce, and the Fishers Chamber of Commerce, Classic Cleaners does its part to strengthen local communities.  Through its financial support of Dress For Success Indianapolis, local Girl Scout troops,  the Museum of 20th Century Warfare, and many other local charities, Classic Cleaners stays involved in local community needs, seeks to be an employer of choice and to protect the environment in all its operations.

Local, anyone? 

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

CLASSIC CLEANERS’ NOVEMBER SPECIAL -           

2.00 OFF ALL OUTERWEAR ITEMS!

“You know you’re a fashion nightmare when you wear underwear as outerwear,’ comments ivillage.com, warning “nice ladies” that, “Unless you’re Paris Hilton, there’s a time and a place for lingerie.”

(Not that any of our fine female Classic Cleaners customers would ever fancy themselves the new Paris Hiltons, but, given our November special on all outerwear items, we thought a dictionary definition reminder might be appropriate:

                                  Out-er-wer: n. 
Garments, as raincoats or overcoats, worn over other clothing for warmth or  protection outdoors.

  http://www.dictionary30.com/meaning/outerwear gets even more definitive about outerwear, counting  jackets, coats, cloaks, and even scarves and mittens in the category.

At Classic Cleaners, our professionals dry clean coats of every description, including parkas, down-filled mountain-climbing and ski outfits, and we specialize in suede and leather coats.

The other day I heard a waggish WIBC announcer tell his listening audience how much he was enjoying the unseasonably balmy Indiana weather, “I’m beginning to think global warming is vastly underrated, ” he quipped.  Global warming or not, we all know November is the time to prepare for colder temperatures and even for some precipitation.

So, gather up those cloaks and coats and jackets and rainwear, the down-filled vests and ski suits and parkas.  With freshly cleaned outerwear, you’ll be prepared for whatever weather the autumn and winter to come might bring.

You know you’re fashion-savvy when you put your fine outerwear garments in the capable hands of our Classic Cleaners professionals!

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team