February 2005 Issue
In this months Issue:
Be a Smart Shopper
Life Expectancy of Your Shirts
How's Your Wedding Gown Doing?
Home Laundry Tip
When it comes to buying clothes, it pays to be a good shopper. Sure, most of us know that after-holiday sales can result in great bargains, but here are some shopping tips that should help in making sure that you get the best bang for your buck:
Low price isn't always a bargain. If it's an item that's part of a fad (we're thinking of clothing items that are "in" one year, and "out" the next), then quality isn't your main concern. Go for the lower price and enjoy the item while it lasts.
High price doesn't always mean quality. For an item you want to hang on to for many seasons, like a classic blazer, we recommend buying a quality item that will stand up to the test of time. This doesn't mean, however, that it has to be the most expensive one on the rack, since high price doesn't always guarantee quality. Check seams and hems...are they sewn well and straight?
Check out the care label. What is the item made from? Can you home launder the item or must it be dry cleaned? If there's a lot of trim or fancy beadwork, is the item washable? Does it require ironing? Make sure you'll be willing to make the "care" commitment to your garment, or it might end up in the back of your closet after you've worn it a couple of times.
Do some advance work. If you're searching for a particular item, go online to do some price comparisons first and also check out ads in your local newspaper or direct-mail fliers. Do some "pre-shopping" work before you even walk in a store. Retailers will often match price if you can prove that the exact same item is lower priced or on sale at one of their competitors. Don't be afraid to ask...the worst thing they can say is no! (Here's how: "This item is on sale at Competitor X...would you be willing to match the price?" Be ready to show a computer printout or an ad to prove your point, if necessary.)
Always, always, always save your receipts. Keep a folder or an envelope handy for this purpose. There are two reasons: First, if you experience ANY problem at all with the garment, especially in washing or dry cleaning, bring it right back. Calmly explain the problem and bring your receipt. The second reason to save receipts: it can get you more money. Some retailers who reduce the price of items you've already purchased will give you the difference if you ask them. For example, if an item gets marked down within two weeks of your purchase, call the store and find out if they'll give you the difference back.
Life Expectancy of Your Shirts
How long should a shirt last? The International Fabricare Institute's Fair Claims Guide states that button-down, collared shirts have a two-year wear life expectancy. Of course, how often you wear a shirt during that two-year period will vary greatly.
We think the number of launderings is a more accurate way to measure whether a shirt is ready to be retired from your wardrobe. The average shirt should have a wear life of 35 to 50 washings. This will vary, of course, based on the amount of abrasion and strain placed on the shirt during wear, the fiber content, the type of fabric and the laundering process.
In our next issue, we'll describe some of the problems that can occur with this type of shirt (ranging from shrinkage and fraying to yellowing and the classic "ring around the collar") and we'll offer some tips on how you can best care for your shirt to avoid or mitigate some of these concerns.
Here's the bottom line about how long this type of shirt should last: if you wear a shirt just about once a week and get it laundered each time you wear it, all year long, it's time to invest in a new one by the end ot the year. If you wear a shirt occasionally, it can last several years.
How's Your Wedding Gown Doing?
February 14 is often a day dedicated to romance, so it's the perfect day to inspect your wedding gown every year.
Many brides keep their gown, either for sentimental reasons or in the hope that one day their own child or another relative might want to wear the dress. It's best to have it cleaned immediately after you wear it, by a professional and experienced cleaner (like us!) that knows how to pack it correctly to minimize yellowing or deterioration of the fabric. (Since many brides are busy thinking about their honeymoon right after the wedding, be sure to designate your mom, a relative or friend to get the dress to us right away.)
Once the dress is stored, some people keep the box sealed up, without ever looking at it, for years. Thats probably not a great idea if you think you might want to use it again or sell it. Once a year, it's a good idea to inspect the dress, and what better day than Valentine's Day? Not only will it help you recall some wonderful memories, it will help ensure that if there's damage or yellowing, you can bring it to us for assistance. If your wedding gown is in a preservation box, be sure to re-seal it after inspecting it.
Home Laundry Tip
While some people are happy that cosmetic companies are now producing lipsticks that last longer and wont fade, those of us who have to wash lipstick-stained cloth napkins arent as pleased. Lipstick stains on cloth napkins are a common and annoying problem. Heres a simple technique that should help: First, purchase a can of WD-40 lubricant (you can find this product in hardware stores and in many supermarkets and drugstores). Spray the affected area, wait 5-10 minutes, and then work in some dishwashing liquid. Lander as usual and remember, don't dry the item until you're sure the stain is completely removed.