November 2006 Issue
In this months Issue:
Help! Protect My Furniture from My Family
Buying Skiwear
When Should You Dry Clean an Item?
Home Laundry Tip
Help! Protect My Furniture from My Family
November is the start of the holiday season, and that likely means you'll have company over at some point. If the thought of a clumsy uncle, a hyperactive niece or a messy friend is making you worried about your new couch, clean rugs or fabulous dining room table, never fear! There are preventative measures you can take&and "after the fact" ones, as well.
If you have a couch or chair that you're concerned about, and you're expecting lots of small children, you might want to consider an inexpensive throw or slipcover. We're not talking about wrapping your furniture in those plastic covers that our grandmothers used to favor, but a washable, informal fabric you can casually throw on that will look good but still handle any spills or food that migrates from plates.
When serving hors d'oeuvres, consider placing the serving table in a room with hardwood floors or in an area where drips and spills are easily cleaned. In addition to putting a tablecloth on the table, you might want to consider putting one underneath as well. If you have small children as guests, definitely choose "special" chairs that can be covered or protected; toddlers and high-chair dwellers can also have a plastic cloth put underneath their place at the table (these cloths, either one-use or reusable, can be purchased at baby or large toy stores.
But what happens when that inevitable spill occurs? Be prepared: purchase some club soda and have some white towels or white paper towels ready. When a spot or splot occurs, go right into action (don't wait until the guests leave). Immediately blot any drip or spill on furniture; fabric should be carefully blotted as well. Never rub or scrub a stain. Keep blotting, using a fresh towel if necessary. Then, after your company has left, assess the damage and use spot removers or cleaners if necessary. One final tip: if your carpeting smells funky, not fresh, try this: sprinkle some baking soda onto the carpet and let it sit for about an hour and then vacuum. Now you're ready for your next get-together!
Buying Skiwear
Even if you've never skied down a mountain, you may want to buy skiwear. That's because most skiwear is extremely durable, fashionable and comfortable. If cared for properly, skiwear should last at least two to four years, according to the International Fabricare Institute (IFI). Depending on the fiber content of the shell fabric and lining, skiwear can either be dry clean only or machine washable.
To keep your skiwear looking great, here are some tips from the IFI:
* Inspect the item for rips or weak areas in the fabric, especially at creases and folds along the elasticized cuffs or hems.
* Clean these items frequently, since they may get stained or soiled during outdoor use.
* Follow care instructions carefully...be particularly careful about not drying the item on very high heat. The inner lining used to hold the filler matierals in most ski jackets, for example, may stiffen or shrink. (When in doubt about drying skiwear or if you have any other clothing care question, ask your Pressed4Time representative for assistance.)
* Don't press skiwear unless the care label indicates that this is safe. When pressing, use a cool iron with no steam.
When Should You Dry Clean an Item?
As a rule, you want to dry clean clothes judiciously. It's not necessary to dry clean an item every time you wear it, unless you perspired a great deal or spilled something.
Many of our customers ask us to clean items that simply need a good pressing. If your clothes are just wrinkled, let us know and we'll be happy to press them...just ask.
BUT (and this is a VERY big but): If the item is soiled at all, let us clean it, because the heat from the pressing can turn stains brown or set the stains permanently into the fabric. With invisible stains, you might not even be aware that they're there...until it's too late.
If you have a suit or a a two-piece outfit, be sure to dry clean both pieces together, even if only one of the items is soiled. Subtle color changes can occur during the process, so it's best to clean them at the same time.
Home Laundry Tip
You've just pulled your leather gloves out of storage and they're stiff and dirty? Here's a simple tip that will restore them quickly. Put the gloves on your hands, and wash with cold water and mild soap. Take the gloves off, and dry them flat. If they're dirty, try Murphy's Oil Soap or even saddle soap.