September 2003 Issue
In this months Issue:
The ABCs of Being a Good Consumer
Getting Educated About Buying Sheets
Home Laundry Tip
The ABCs of Being a Good Consumer
How many times have you bought a garment, only to quickly discover broken buttons, split seams, fraying cuffs, color bleeding or worse? The fact is, buying quality clothes that will last isnt as easy as it looks. Since its back-to-school time, what better time to learn about the ABCs of being a smart shopper?
A. ALWAYS be careful before making a purchase. We bet your mother told you about judging people: looks arent everything, its whats underneath that counts. The same holds true for buying clothes. 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 into consideration when they see a garment and its love at first sight.
If you purchase a garment from a national or local firm with a solid reputation, its a pretty sure bet that youll be wearing that garment several years down the road.
Its also important to consider the retailers reputation. If an article of clothing you purchased is defective or poor quality, will the retailer stand behind the product? Does the return policy allow you to get your money back or select a different garment if you have problems? Good customer service is vital.
Remember, its not a bargain if you dont get your moneys worth. Here are some other things that smart shoppers always consider.
B. Be sure to read the garments care label carefully before purchasing. If you dont understand it, ask a salesperson for assistance. 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.
There is a loophole, however: The FTC says a garment manufacturer only has to list warnings if any part of the garment could be damaged using the one safe method. So lets say you buy two items with trim: one with a large, single medallion, the other with sequins and buttons. Take a look at the labels: If it says, Dry clean exclusive of trim think twice. In the case of the medallion, our staff at the Pressed4Time dry-cleaning plant can simply remove it before cleaning, then replace it afterwards.
But in the case of those sequins well, you get the idea. Either it will be very expensive to clean or simply impossible. So read those labels before you fall in love with an item!
C. Contact us and rely on our expertise. After youve invested money in a quality clothing item from a reputable clothing 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 our knowledge means youll get lots of continuing enjoyment from your clothes!
Getting Educated About Buying Sheets
Getting Educated About Buying Sheets
Sheets are probably the one item you use every single day, but dont know too much about. We at Pressed4Time are happy to provide you with information that can help you with your sheet purchases. Youll feel very educated!
The key to a sheets softness and quality can be found right on the package. Nope, its not the fancy designer name that tells you this information; its the thread count and the fiber content.
The thread count is the number of threads woven in a square inch. The higher the thread count, the smoother, more durable (and expensive) the sheet will be. Most sheets have a thread count of 180 and are called percale. Beware any lower thread count than 180 may mean a less expensive sheet. It will likely feel rougher, pill more easily and wear out more quickly. So even though these sheets may seem like a great deal, its no bargain!
If youre looking for luxury, look for sheets with thread counts of 250 and up. Although sheets made in the U.S. go up to a 310-thread count, imported sheets can go as high as 500 threads per inch.
Sheets usually come in four different types: polyester/ cotton blends, cotton, pima cotton and Egyptian cotton. Polyester/cotton is wrinkle free, but may pill and may not be as soft or smooth as all-cotton sheets. If you buy a blend, look for at least 50 percent combed cotton.
All-cotton sheets do wrinkle more, but will be softer than a blend. If you opt for pima cotton or Egyptian cotton, be sure the label says 100 percent pima or Supima cotton or 100 percent Egyptian cotton. Pima cotton is very soft and smooth and resists pilling. Egyptian cotton has an even more luxurious feel, but may need ironing. Polyester/ cotton blends generally are the least expensive, while Egyptian cotton sheets can cost as much as $200 for a queen size sheet! Now thats luxury!
If you like flannel sheets, just remember that they need extra cleaning care. Theyre more prone to lint, so they may not be a good idea for people with allergies. Always wash flannel sheets separately from other garments and linens.
Once youve purchased your sheets, be sure to wash them before using them. Wash dark sheets separately from white or light colored sheets. Fitted sheets should not be dried on high heat since that can cause shrinkage of the rubberized material used around the edges.
No matter what type of sheets you choose, well be happy to handle laundering and ironing for you. Ask us about our very reasonable prices!
Home Laundry Tip
At back-to-school time, lots of children are heading off with brand new backpacks and bookbags. These items get lots of daily use, and as the year progresses, will likely need a little TLC to keep them clean. Some spots can be treated with dishwashing soap and water. If that doesnt work, you may want to try a special dirt removal sponge that can be purchased at a home improvement or hardware store. This type of sponge is not supposed to be used wet; just rub it over the stained or dirty area. For really tough stains, try using a shot of carpet stain remover! Just follow the directions on the cans label.