June 2003 Issue
In this months Issue:

Your Care Label is Trying to Tell You Something!
Tie that Tie
Pressed4Time Answers to Good Questions
Home Laundry Tip

Your Care Label is Trying to Tell You Something!

Picture this: You’re shopping, see a great-looking shirt, try it on, and it’s a perfect fit. But is it washable? Should it be dry-cleaned? Take one look at the label. You’ll see a lot of symbols there…but what do they mean? Many consumers say they have no idea! In the old days, manufacturers put washing instructions in plain and simple terms. In 1997, however, the Federal Trade Commission approved new regulations governing care labels, mandating that symbols, rather than words, must be used. In today’s global economy, clothes are often manufactured and distributed all over the world. The idea was to standardize clothing care information on garments. Well, it seemed like a good idea…unfortunately, many consumers admit they’re more confused than ever! Unfamiliar with the symbols, they simply guess or take a chance when it comes to caring for garments.

If you’re trying to decide what type of care is required before purchasing an item, try asking a sales clerk at the store if they know what the symbols mean (don’t be surprised if they don’t know!). If you purchase the item, bring it home and then log on to our Website at www.pressed4time.com and click on the “Customer Services” section, then on the “Care Symbols” link below. We have a complete, easy-to-understand list of the symbols and what they mean. You can also feel free to bring the item to us and we’ll decipher the symbols for you.

Manufacturers are required to attach a permanent label detailing care methods to every textile garment. The label must provide directions for care, including at least one recommended method for cleaning. The only exceptions are footwear, gloves, hats, suede, leather clothing and household items such as linens. That doesn’t mean these items won’t have cleaning instructions, it’s just that they’re not required to have them.

What does this mean for consumers like you? Manufacturers are only required to list one care method, but there may be others. For example, if an item’s care label says it’s washable, it may or may not be safe to dry-clean it. Luckily, some manufacturers do voluntarily put all satisfactory methods of care on the label. We say, bravo to them!


Tie that Tie

We haven’t seen the statistics, but we’re convinced that more items are ironed in June than any other month, thanks to lots of special family events like graduations, weddings and parties.There’s probably nothing harder to iron than a tie! Often, if you try to iron it, the back seam shows through the front after you’ve finished ironing, or you’ll see shiny marks on the tie after you’ve attempted to iron it. Here’s a method that will ensure these problems won’t happen.

First, get a lightweight towel like a dishcloth and some cardboard. Place the cardboard between the front and back of the tie. Lay the tie on the towel.

Next, set the iron on the steam setting. Hold the iron an inch or two over the center of the tie and steam it. Voila! Your tie will look reat and ready for you to spill something on it. Doesn’t that always seem to happen? If it does, just bring your tie into us and we’ll do our best to make it look great!).


Pressed4Time Answers to Good Questions

Q. I have a graduation coming up this month and decided to shine my shoes. Unfortunately, I somehow managed to get shoe polish on the sleeve of my shirt (I know, I know!). What’s the best way to get out shoe polish?

A. Don’t worry, there’s an easy solution. For colored fabrics, use one part rubbing alcohol and two parts water; for white items, use straight rubbing alcohol.

Q. I just bought a new dress and one of the buttons has already come off. I hate to sew. Any ideas on how I can prevent this from happening in the future?

A. Here’s a quick and easy trick that may help keep you buttoned up a bit longer. Before even wearing a new garment, touch the center of each button (front and back, be careful near the fabric!) with clear nail polish. This will seal the threads and the button should stay on much longer.


Home Laundry Tip

You’re rushing to get ready for a special event, and you decide to take out the iron to do some last-minute pressing to that special shirt. That’s often how garments usually get scorched…too high heat, too little time.

If you scorched your shirt, is there any way to get it out? We have several ideas that can help save the day…or at least the garment!

First, try soaking the fabric in cold water overnight. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to remove the scorch mark. Very light scorch marks on white items can also sometimes be removed by wetting the area with lemon juice and laid in the sun. We’ve also heard that this works: rub the fabric with the cut side of a white (not red) onion, followed by soaking in cold water for a few hours.

If that doesn’t work, try this: If the item is white (do NOT use this method on colored fabrics!), sponge the area with a piece of cotton that has been soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Be sure to use the solution that’s three percent; it’s sold in drugstores as a mild antiseptic. If the item is made of linen or cotton, dampen a cloth with the peroxide, lay it on the scorched area and then iron with a warm iron.

Remember, scorching actually weakens fibers, so be careful when trying any of these methods and always wash the item after the scorch mark has been removed. And at the risk of repeating ourselves, feel free to bring any item to us and we’ll be happy to help you out. We’re your clothing care specialists and will do our best to get you your item back in good shape!