March 2005 Issue
In this months Issue:
Why Did My Shirt Shrink? and Other Mysteries of Life
The Incredible Disappearing Stain
Home Laundry Tip
Why Did My Shirt Shrink? and Other Mysteries of Life
There are many problems specific to men's dress shirts, according to the International Fabricare Institute. Some of the problems result from use, such as collar stains, fraying or pilling along the collar fold. Other problems, such as yellowing and shrinkage, can occur either as a result of manufacturing procedures or poor cleaning methods. So, if you're experiencing problems with your shirt, is it because it's time to get a new one, it wasn't manufactured correctly, or the cleaner made an error? Heres the info: Ring Around the Collar. When a man is wearing a shirt, the neck band, collar and collar fold areas can come into contact with perspiration, cologne, body oils, hair or skin products. Every time you wear that shirt, soil can build up in this area. That's why we recommend that you launder or clean this type of shirt after each wearing. This type of staining can be difficult to remove, especially in shirts that are cotton/polyester blends, since polyester fibers retain the oily components from body oils and perspiration. If we cant get it out for you, it may be time to make an investment in a new shirt.
Pilling. This is the most common type of fabric damage in the collar-fold area, and it happens because repeated rubbing in this area can cause fibers to break. When you put a tie on or adjust the fold, you're likely to cause some pilling. Those little balls of fabric often aren't noticeable until youve worn the shirt a few times or it's been cleaned several times. Cotton and cotton/polyester blend shirts are most susceptible to this type of damage, according to the IFI. You can try to remove the pills by hand or with a small, hand-held machine sold in many stores, or simply retire the shirt and buy a new one!
Fraying. If your shirt is thinning or fraying at the collar fold or the cuffs, it's likely due to repeated rubbing and abrasion against your body. This causes some of the fabrics to weaken, and when the item is cleaned, those weakened fibers flush away. This usually does not occur until the shirt has been worn many, many times. We know you probably love it, but it's time for a new shirt!
Shrinkage Part I: Collars. Some collar-area shrinkage may be expected to occur in some shirts. Most manufacturers cut the collars a bit larger to allow for some shrinkage (we're talking about two percent larger), so that means a shirt that measures 15 inches may be cut 1/4 or 1/2 inch larger. If youve chosen the right size shirt, then this small amount of shrinkage shouldnt be a problem. If you've refused to admit that your size has expanded, however, this shrinkage can be (gulp) uncomfortable.
Shrinkage Part II: Interfacing. If your collars or cuffs are rippling or puckering, causing serious wrinkles and creases, youre having problems with the interfacing. When the interfacing shrinks or separates, the extra material in the shell fabric won't allow it to lie flat any longer. If the correct cleaning care processes have been followed, this is a manufacturing problem and it can't be prevented during routine care. Simply put, it's a quality control deficiency. What does that mean? Poor workmanship! Sometimes, we can temporarily stretch the interfacing enough so the outer fabric will lie evenly by ironing. We would suggest, however, that you return the shirt and ask for a refund or replacement.
The Incredible Disappearing Stain
Some customers are embarrassed to tell us about stains. We're here to tell you that confessing to us about your accidents and mishaps actually helps us&and you!
Have you ever looked at a garment after its been cleaned and noticed spots or stains? We call these "invisible stains" and they are most often caused by beverages.
Here's what happens. You spill soda or some beverage on your shirt and it dries clear. When this type of stain is exposed to heat, however, it turns yellow or brown. That's caused by the oxidation of the sugar found in most beverages...and we're not just talking about soda. Any beverage with sugar or alcohol can cause this staining problem, although clear beverages like ginger ale or white wine are two of the worst culprits.
You've probably seen this happen with peeled apples when they're left out on the counter and they turn brown after just a few minutes. That's oxidation!
So what can you do? By pointing out a stain to us or even indicating the general vicinity of the spill, we can treat it before the garment is subjected to any kind of heat process like drying or pressing. If the stain goes through the cleaning process undetected, it could permanently set in the material. The same problem can occur when you're washing items at home: never put a stained item in the dryer, because it will be more difficult, if not impossible, to remove the stain once it's been exposed to heat.
Once we know about the invisible stain, we'll do our best to get it out for you so you can enjoy your garment again. So don't be shy: tell us the where, when, and what of your spills. After all, nobody's perfect.
Home Laundry Tip
It's spring time, and for many people, that means cleaning around the house. If you're thinking about washing your windows, here's a great recipe for window washing solution. Add 1/2 cup vinegar and two tablespoons of cornstarch to a bucket of warm water. Avoid the temptation to wash windows on a sunny day. Why? The windows often dry too fast and show streaks. So choose a cloudy day or a tiem late in the afternoon. Remember, never use soap on windows!