Once your stained garment has actually arrived at Classic Cleaners, you know it will receive the most expert of care. That’s because

After determining whether the stain came from oil and grease, dirt and grass, blood, ink, paint, cosmetics, or food, our technicians use a wide range of tools – steam guns, compressed air, specialized brushes, and tens of different stain-fighting solutions to carefully and skillfully remove the stain and restore the fabric.  And that advanced stain removal process holds true for bedding, window treatments, and table linens as well as clothes.

But, what about that crucial in-between time, when a spill has occurred and you don’t want the damage to “sink in” before you have a chance to get the item to your Classic Cleaners’ store or driver? Are there things you can do that will help and not hurt?

Thankfully, there are.

DO: Scoop and scrape
When ice cream, shoe polish, cosmetics, vomit, or any other “guck” gets on fabric, use a blunt instrument such as a butter knife or spatula to get rid of the excess. “Make sure the process is carried out in a well-ventilated area,” advises cleaningtips.net.
DO: Blot
Lay the stained area down on a couple of layers of paper towels to blot the backside of the stain and help the offending substance leech onto the towels. Blotting can be used with liquid stains – coffee, tea, urine, wine.
DO: Chill
When chewing gum is stuck to a garment, you can place the garment in a plastic bag and put the bag in the freezer.  The gum may then harden and separate from the fabric.

DON’T: Wait too long to get to Classic Cleaners.
As howtogetridofstuff advises, “The first thing you should always do before trying to remove stains from an article of clothing is to…make sure you’re not going to destroy it during your efforts.  If it’s dry clean only or you’re not sure, you’re better off taking it to the dry cleaners – why take the risk?”

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

We don’t claim to know the definitive answer to either of those musical mysteries, but at Classic Cleaners we’re always asking “what” and “when”, rather than “who” questions, when it comes to removal of stains on our clients’ garments, bedding, table linens, and window coverings.

And, while Classic Cleaners specialists are armed with many tools, including steam guns, compressed air, specialized brushes, and more than twenty different stain-fighting solutions, in advanced stain removal, the most important tool is information:

• What is the fabric? Different fabrics lose color, fade, or shrink when improperly handled. You may know the general category of fabric, such as cotton, silk, or rayon, but there are many subcategories that dry cleaning professionals recognize, each requiring specialized treatment.
• What made the stain? Different stains require different treatments. Two basic types of stain are solvent-soluble and water-soluble; our stain-removal technicians are trained to administer different processes for each, based on the very latest in dry cleaning technology.
• How much time has elapsed since the staining occurred? It’s best to get stained garments in for treatment as soon as possible.

  So, who DID put that stain in the bomp ba bomp ba bomp? We’ll understand if you’re not sure or don’t want to confess, but please, when it comes to the “what”, the” how”, and the “when” of stains, Classic Cleaners needs to know!

 by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

“Ink is such a tiny word, three letters, but it has played such a huge part on the stage of world history

Unfortunately, “enduring” is hardly a quality our Classic Cleaners customers wish to see when it comes to ink stains on clothes!  In fact, as Lovetoknowcleaning remarks wryly, “Ink stains are quite common, but that doesn’t make them a cinch to remove,” adding that “there is a variety of inks on the market and each poses a different challenge to remove.”

At Classic Cleaners, we know.  It seems our stain removal experts face new and different ink-related challenges every working day, with today’s culprits as likely to be printer ink and permanent marker as from fountain, gel, or ball point pens left in pockets.

With more than twenty-five years under our belts offering dry cleaning in Indianapolis, we think the Oregon Dry Cleaners Association hits the mark with its list of four DON’Ts
when it comes to ink stains on clothes:

Don’t store.  Never put away a garment with an ink stain on it.  The warmth of the closet can further set the stain into the fabric.

Don’t iron.  Ironing clothes drives stains deeper.

Don’t rub.  Blot rather than rub.  Rubbing spreads the stain and damages the fabric.

Don’t try.  Don’t attempt home spot removal with water, hairspray, club soda, or cleaning fluid.  You run the risk of damaging or discoloring the fabric.

Ink’s greatest impact has been to spread knowledge in the form of the printed word.  It’s ironic that removing ink is one of the main reasons people seek the help of dry cleaners!

With Classic Cleaners’  help, ink can continue to impact your missives and your memoirs, but never your clothes and household items!

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

At Classic Cleaners, that’s exactly the kind of reward we want to provide for our clients. In fact, we think of ourselves as having “joint custody” of customers’ fine garments, sharing the responsibility for keeping the wardrobe properly maintained. We couldn’t agree more with artofmanliness‘ statement that “Good clothing that is properly maintained always looks better than more expensive clothing that is neglected.”

With spring on the way, many clients are bringing in their winter garments for a dose of our special care. Here are several examples of what we mean by “joint clothing custody”, with each of us doing our part:

Our part:
The specialized Classic Cleaners dry cleaning processes help remove salts and sugars that have stained the fabric, and gets rid of any insect eggs on the fabric. 
Your part:
You avoid storing clothing that has not been cleaned alongside or on top of    clothing we’re prepared for summer storage.

Our part:
We pack each garment in plastic to protect it until it arrives back in your closet.
Your part:
You remove the plastic bags and place winter clothing in “breatheable” bags or containers for storage.

Our part:
We follow the care instructions on the manufacturer’s label on each garment.
Your part:
You tell your Classic Cleaners representative about each stain.
      
Classic Cleaners and you – a great clothing care team.  Using joint custody, we can nurture a healthy wardrobe and keep you looking your best all year long!

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team