Not all the garments turned in to Classic Cleaners for dry cleaning or laundering come with an explanation about their stains.  Even when it’s the wearer of the dress or the owner of the suit or tie in question, not always do those individuals know where the mysterious spots came from. It’s the kind of riddle Classic Cleaners technicians face every day.

A second sort of puzzle that presents itself in the form of an incomplete clothing care label. While the Federal Trade Commission says care labels must have instructions that apply to all parts of the garment, explaining whether any step of the cleaning method recommended for that garment could harm any part of it.  Unfortunately, the rules are not always followed by every manufacturer, and it’s left to the expertise and persistence of the Classic Cleaners professionals to figure things out. 

When it comes to riddles and puzzles, two weeks ago, the tables were turned, so to speak. While our loyal customers rely on us to figure out how to treat each element of each garment, this time, in our blog, it was Classic Cleaners posing a riddle for readers to figure out.

Here’s a quick reminder of the riddle, which was inspired by the Mensa book of puzzles Lateral Thinking & Logical Deduction:

A dry cleaners was having a one-day sale offering a 20% discount on business clothes.  That day, customers brought in trousers, jackets, and skirts.

• 1 more customer brought in only jackets than those who brought in only trousers.
• 9 customers brought in rousers only.
• 15 customers brought in all three items.
• 26 customers brought in skirts and jackets, but no trousers.
• 13 customers brought in jackets and trousers, but no skirts.
• 5 customers brought in skirts only.
• The same number of people brought in trousers and skirts, but no jacket as the number who brought in only jackets.

  How many customers took advantage of the dry cleaning one-day special?

Venn diagram of customers who brought trousers, skirts, and pants to dry cleaners

Thanks to all our readers who ventured an answer to this riddle. The correct answer, which may be found by using the Venn diagram shown above, is 73 customers.

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

As our customers know, “specials” aren’t just once-in-a-while affairs at Classic Cleaners.  In fact, there’s a new special offer every month of the year! November’s special, for example, is outerwear, and in December, we’ll be offering 25% off table linens.  Specials, you see, are just one more way we have of showing our appreciation to our loyal fans.

In the Mensa book of puzzles, Lateral Thinking & Logical Deduction, there’s a riddle about a dry cleaners that offered a “special” on business clothing.  We thought it would be fun to share the riddle with our blog readers:

A dry cleaners was having a one-day sale offering a 20% discount on business clothes. That day, customers brought in trousers, jackets, and skirts.

   1  more customer brought in only jackets than those who brought in trousers only.

   9  customers brought in trousers only.

 15  customers each brought in trousers, jackets, and skirts.

 26  customers each brought in skirts and jackets, but no trousers.

 13  customers each brought in jackets and trousers, but no skirts.

  5  customers each brought in skirts only.

 The same number of people brought in trousers and skirts, but no jacket as those who brought
in only jackets.

Can you figure out the total number of customers who took advantage of the dry cleaning “special” that day?

(If you’ve figured out the answer, simply put a comment at the bottom of this page, or turn in your answer with your next Classic Cleaners order.)

Hint: Our neighbor the math teacher advises using a Venn diagram to solve the riddle.

If you’re stymied by the Mensa riddle, at Classic Cleaners, we have a much simpler set of numbers for you to keep in mind:

For every $200 you spend within a six-month period, Classic Cleaners will give you $10 off your next order.  Best of all, there are no forms to fill out.  You’re automatically enrolled!

by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

October special:
20% off bedding
and household items!

October special on household items at Classic Cleaners

In Raiders of the Lost Ark, I don’t recall Harrison Ford finding any pillows in the tombs he uncovered, but he might have. Certainly pillows have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs.

Not everyone was privileged to use pillows, though.  In Tudor England, it was believed only women giving birth and weak men should use them.

“Nonsense!” is Classic Cleaners’ reaction to that one.  We wouldn’t dream of sending our loyal customers – male OR female - off to dreamland without clean, soft pillows.  And it’s not only pillows that make for a great night’s rest.  Classic Cleaners’ expertise in bedding extends to:

• quilts
• bedspreads
• duvet covers
• sheets and pillowcases
• sleeping bags

When it comes to pillows, Classic Cleaners professionals deserve a five-star rating for their special five-step pillow-cleaning process:

1. Discard old ticking
2. Toss pillow filling in a tumbler with rotating brushes to break up clumps and sift out dust
3. Sanitize the filling with germicidal ozone and with light
4. Volumize – fluff the down and feathers and add more as needed.
5. Re-tick in a beautiful new 100% cotton casing.

Hello, rejuvenated pillows! Goodbye, allergies!

Remember, the October special includes drapes, slipcovers, even sleeping bags.

Whatever the time of year, you need your beauty rest.   And, with Classic Cleaners, a good night’s sleep is a givenl
 by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team

You can always find Classic Cleaners in the forefront when it comes to community participation.  And, when it comes to re-enacting historical events, you can always find Classic Cleaners partner Steve Arnold and his family at the forefront.  No wonder then, that the preferred dry cleaning and laundry services provider chosen by the Museum of 20th Century Warfare is Classic Cleaners.  Also no wonder that Classic Cleaners has arranged to clean all uniforms used for displays at the Museum at no charge.
The Museum of 20th Century Warfare at Fort Harrison State Park is one of Indianapolis’ newest not for profit organizations, and it serves two important missions:

• honoring all Veterans from all wars – past, present, and future.
  

  Honoring veterans at the Museum of 20th Century Warfare at Fort Harrison

• teaching about the technology, artifacts, uniforms, and soldiers of the 20th century

“We strive to ensure that our past defenders of Freedom are never forgotten,” explains the Museum’s website. Open Wednesday through Sunday year round, the Museum houses  exhibits relating to World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and aviation. Visitors can view a model of the USS Indianapolis as well.

In addition to offering permanent and rotating exhibits, the M20CW runs all the re-enactments for the Fort Harrison State park. (Watch for the WWII public battle planned for October 2.) When the battle is over, you may be sure there will be plenty of uniforms needing the expert care of Classic Cleaners professionals!

Donating its services by cleaning American flags and M20CW uniforms at no charge is just one of the many ways in which Classic Cleaners helps care for and restore history along with caring for your clothes!

 
by Reb of the Classic Cleaners blog team