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How it works / FAQ's

What is "dry cleaning"?

Taking a stain out of a garment is not always as easy as it sounds because there are unlimited combinations of stains and fabrics. Let's look at the three major types of cleaning processes: laundering, dry cleaning, and wet cleaning.

DRY CLEANING

Stains and spots are first pretreated. The clothes are then loaded into a machine that uses a solvent instead of water. This fluid loosens the dirt from the fabric and is constantly being filtered. If the fabric is properly labeled for dry cleaning, the potential for shrinkage, distortion, and color loss is minimal. After the dry cleaning process, the garment is then appropriately finished and properly packaged.

LAUNDERING

Some items that are "washable," are laundered, not dry cleaned. Most shirts are laundered. The process is very similar to home washing, except for higher quality results. Washables can be dry cleaned, but in the case of shirts, collars will be cleaner and the press more crisp if they are laundered. If you request a cleaning method that is not recommended on the label, you must accept the results. A garment labeled "washable," may or may not dry clean satisfactorily.

WET CLEANING

This process is not available at all dry cleaning stores. Instead of using other solvents as is typically done in dry cleaning, water along with special additives is used. Since some fabrics react adversely to water, the decision to wet clean should be based on the garment care label instructions and the dry cleaner's expertise.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP?

Get the garment cleaned as soon as possible.
Inform the dry cleaner of any unusual stain so that they can give it special attention.
Don't press stained clothes since heat may set the stain.
Avoid excessive perspiration, lotions, perfumes and other toiletries since they can stain.

WHAT CLEANERS CANNOT DO?

Remove certain stains.
Prevent colors from fading or bleeding.
Prevent shrinkage

Who is to blame for dry cleaning problems?

National research has found that there are three primary sources for problems that arise during the dry cleaning process. They are equally shared between the manufacturer, the consumer, and the dry cleaner.

About one third of the problems start with the consumer. Certain stains CANNOT be removed from certain fabrics! When a stain occurs, identify it's source and bring the garment in as soon as possible to maximize the chance for its removal.

The manufacturer is at fault for about a third of the problems. If a garment label says "dry clean" then this should mean that the entire garment has been tested to be colorfast and unaltered during a dry cleaning process. When garments have not been fully tested and are mislabeled by the manufacturer, the results can be disastrous.

The remaining third of the problems are caused by the dry cleaner. By using a reputable dry cleaner, consumers will minimize the chances of something going wrong. When this situation arises, trust 1-800-DryClean to resolve the issue in a courteous and professional manner.

Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment?

On the contrary, frequent cleaning prolongs the life of a garment. Not only do stains set with age, making the garment unwearable, but ground-in-dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing rapid wear of fibers.

Does dry cleaning shrink clothes?

No, the dry cleaning solvents do not penetrate fabric, hence, shrinking, color loss and fabric distortion will not occur. Excessive shrinkage is usually caused by improper preshrinking by the manufacturer.


What is an invisible stain?

Many stains that are caused by food, oily substances, or beverages may become invisible when they dry out. But, later on, with exposure to heat they will reappear (a step in the dry cleaning process). This is caused by the oxidation of the sugar in the staining substance. To increase the chances of removing the stain, it is recommended that you immediately mark the spot where the spill occurred with a piece of tape to make the dry cleaner aware of the invisible stain, on a piece of paper write what was spilled, and bring it to be cleaned immediately.

What if after dry cleaning the stain remains?

Contrary to popular belief, certain stains cannot be removed by the dry cleaning process. The nature and age of the stain, plus the color and construction of the fabric, sometimes make stains impossible to remove without damaging the fabric. To increase the chances of removing the stain, it is recommended that you immediately mark the spot where the spill occurred with a piece of tape to make the dry cleaner aware of the invisible stain, on a piece of paper write what was spilled, and bring it to be cleaned immediately.

Who is responsible for damages?

Wearing apparel is covered by the Federal Trade Commissions Care Label Rule. Textile garments sold in the U.S. must have a permanent legible care label. All parts of the garment must be able to withstand the recommended care procedure. The care label is intended to give the dry cleaner guidance on how to care for the item properly. If a label says "dry clean," this means that all components including the outer shell, lining, buttons, interfacing fusing material and trim will be color fast and will not be altered during cleaning process. If any such problem occurs, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer, who has not tested the component accurately before labeling. If the problem arises from a manufacturing defect, you should take the article back to the retailer for an adjustment or refund.