April 2006 Issue
In this months Issue:

Sensible, Simple Storage Tips for the Summer
Looking for a Good Tailor
How To's of Home Drying
Home Laundry Tip

Sensible, Simple Storage Tips for the Summer

Although summer may still feel far away, winter is over in most parts of the country by April. This is the time of year that many people store their winter clothes and start pulling out the short-sleeved items and lighter fabrics. If you want to find your winter clothes in good shape when you take them out of storage this fall, here are some simple storage tips.

First, it's best to inspect all of the items you plan to store. Do they need new buttons? Are any seams split? Do any minor sewing repairs need to be made?

Next, wash and yes, dry clean everything before you store it away. Why? If the items have any visible or invisible stains, they can darken or even attract some nasty insects to chew on the fabric and leave you with holes in the garments.

Don't store items in a basement or attic: the basement is probably too damp, the attic too hot. Pick a well-ventilated, dark area like a closet in a spare room or even under your bed!

Use airtight containers like cloth or canvas bags or cardboard boxes. NEVER store leather, wool items or fur in plastic because of mildew concerns. If you don't use a cedar chest, you can use mothballs, but be sure the mothballs are not directly touching the clothes. Cedar bocks or chips are also great choices.

Down items should be stored loosely to allow for air circulation; sweaters should be carefully folded (you can use white tissue paper) or hung folded over the bar of a hangar-otherwise you'll end up with wrinkles, creases and "hangar marks."

Follow these tips and you won't have any unpleasant surprises next winter!


Looking for a Good Tailor

It's said that a good tailor can make someone look 10 pounds thinner and two inches taller. Although that's a bit of an exaggeration, finding a good tailor is very important for both men and women.

But how do you find a good tailor? Perhaps the easiest way is to ask other people...but not just anyone. Look at your co-workers, people in the elevator, or even other customers in a store or restaurant who look good in their clothes. It may sound strange to ask strangers, but they will be flattered if you simply say, "Wow, that's a great suit. Who is your tailor?" Or "That dress looks fantastic. Who do you use to tailor your clothes?"

If you're too embarrassed to ask a stranger or co-worker, try asking a salesperson at a clothing store. Department stores often have their own in-house tailor who will not accept clothes from other retailers, but higher-end stores will likely be able to provide you with a tailor they respect.

If you're out of town and need a tailor, ask your hotel's concierge. While the prices might be a little higher, it's likely the tailor will be experienced and dependable.

Finally, ask us! Your Pressed4Time representative is a clothing-care expert. We often know and can recommend good tailors for women and men in your area.

Next month, we'll talk about how to talk to your tailor to ensure that you get clothes that fit your body, your wallet and your lifestyle!


How To's of Home Drying

In a perfect world, we would all simply hang our clothes out to dry. It's the most inexpensive, energy efficient method&and the clothes smell great. But in today's world, many people live in apartments or condos without yards. Some communities actually have rules that don't allow outside drying. Many people consider drying clothes outside an eyesore or a sign of a less affluent lifestyle. And if you need that shirt in an hour, using a dryer is your best bet.

For the best results, don't overload the dryer or dry the items on too high a temperature. If you keep the clothes in the dryer too long, they can get wrinkled. Of course, always check the lint filter (see last month's item about preventing lint) to ensure that the dryer is working at maximum efficiency. Remember to check care labels...some items should not be placed in the dryer or should be dried only at low heat settings.


Home Laundry Tip

In a previous issue, we described how to make your own fabric softener sheets to save money. Here are a few other tips to help get your clothes static free!

Instead of using fabric softener sheets, buy a low-cost liquid softener and moisten an old face cloth. Put it in the dryer and voila! your clothes won't stick together. You must repeat this every load.

Another way to reduce static is to put a small ball of aluminum foil in there. We know it sounds crazy, but it does actually work!