February 2003 Issue
In this months Issue:
Shop Til You Drop?
The Bottom Line on Broken Buttons
Wow, Whats That
home laundry tip
Like people, when it comes to clothing, looks arent everything: Its whats underneath that counts. If youve ever bought an item that seemed like a bargain, only to discover that the buttons broke easily, the seams split right away, the cuffs frayed quickly or the color bled after one wash, then you know that buying quality clothes can be difficult.
High-quality fabrics that are dyed properly and sewn together correctly will last longer than lower quality counterparts. This may seem obvious, but many shoppers dont take this simple fact into consideration when they see a garment and its love at first sight.
For some items, longevity isnt that important: by next season, the item may be out of style, so it doesnt matter if it doesnt hold up well. But when buying garments that you hope to keep for some time, then quality is key. In todays more challenging economy, it may be tempting to look mainly at price when purchasing clothes. But if you want to extend your wardrobe and get the best value for your money, buying a few well-made, classic items is probably a better long-term investment than indulging in lots of poorly made or trendy items.
Here are some other tips to remember when buying clothes:
yLocation, location, location. Its best to purchase a garment from a national or local retailer with a good customer-service reputation and a reasonable return policy. Some bargain retailers or stores will not be helpful if you need to return or exchange the item.
yRead the garments care label before you purchase it. The Federal Trade Commission requires that all articles of clothing (except for household items, suede and leather, shoes, gloves and hats) MUST list at least one safe method of care for a garment. But what if the one method is impossible? For example, if an item says dry clean exclusive of trim and the item is covered with sequins, how can it be safely cleaned?
yRely on our expertise. After youve invested money in quality clothing from a reputable retailer, keep your wardrobe looking its best. All the time and effort you spent picking out nice clothes will be wasted if you use a dry cleaner who is not well trained in all areas of fabric care. Using our experience and knowledge means youll get lots of enjoyment from your clothes.
The Bottom Line on Broken Buttons
Why do buttons break? Most button breakage is the result of companies using inferior or inexpensive buttons. Most shirt buttons are made from a polyester resin. The strength of the button depends on the amount of polyester in the resin; some buttons, especially imported ones, contain less polyester.
Since broken buttons seem to be a fact of life, we do have a solution. Bring your shirt to us and well be happy to fix that broken button free of charge. If we notice the button is broken, well fix it for you.
Its just one more special service that Pressed4Time provides to our customers. Keeping you buttoned up and looking good is a source of pride for us!
Wow, Whats That
Baking soda is a marvelous invention, especially because of its ability to combat odors. For example, if youve got smelly socks, try this: Take one-quarter cup of baking soda and add to one gallon of water. Spin the socks in the washer without rinsing out the baking soda solution. Then put them in the dryer. You wont be embarrassed to take off your shoes or sneakers anymore
home laundry tip
Love, love, love but hate those lipstick stains on your shirt? Heres a quick and easy way to remove a lipstick stain. Place the item on a pad of paper towels, spray with WD-40 lubricant and let it stand for a few minutes. Turn the fabric over and spray the other side, then let it stand for 15 minutes. Then, work in liquid dishwashing detergent onto the stained area. You may need to replace the paper towels underneath. Wash the item in the hottest water possible (check the fabric label). Before drying, examine the fabric to ensure that the stain is out. Repeat if necessary.