March 2007 Issue
In this months Issue:
Following the Rules...Or Not?
Baby on the Way? Dress for Sucess!
Stain FAQs
Home Laundry Tip
If you're new to doing laundry, or you've experienced some laundry disasters, here are a few tips that might not ever appear on a clothing care label, but are vital to know before laundering your clothes:
* Do not use chlorine bleach on colored items.
* When hand washing, use lukewarm, not hot water.
* Don't wash dark clothes in hot water and don't wash dark and white clothes together.
* Don't wash towels with your clothes (and don't wash fabrics together that will shed lint such as corduroy).
* Separate heavily soiled items from those that are not as dirty or greasy. Be sure to pre-treat any serious stains with stain-removal products.
* Check pockets: Yes, it takes a few extra minutes. But there's nothing worse than finding you or a family member have left a pen, a pack of gum or tissues in the pocket. What a mess! (And while you're at it, button, zip and hook items so they don't catch or get tangled.)
* If an item is torn, fix it before washing: it could get worse during the "agitation" process.
Now that you know the basics, are there ever times where you don't have to follow rules? Hand washing versus machine washing is one of those times...sometimes. Some items that say "hand wash only" can safely be put in the machine, if: you wash on a delicate cycle, use cool water, wash it inside out (preferably in a mesh bag) and dry it flat. If you don't follow these big "ifs" you could be disappointed. And if the item is very expensive, don't take a chance.
One final note: it's best to dry clean garments made of silk, wool, linen and rayon. We're the dry cleaning experts...feel free to ask us any questions you might have about your clothes.
Baby on the Way? Dress for Sucess!
When most moms-to-be find out they're expecting, we're guessing that the first thing on their mind is not "Omigosh, what am I going to wear to work?" But trust us, as the months go on and you grow out of many of your clothes (even shoes!) the question of clothing looms, well, large.
For the first three months, you'll be able to wear your tried and true work clothes, although by the end of the third month you might need to unbutton that top button of your skirts or pants. Leave shirts untucked or wear loose-fitting tops.
After that, you might not be "obviously" pregnant, so many maternity clothes won't fit yet. It's best to buy some inexpensive skirts or pants that have elastic or drawstring waistbands in a size or two larger than what you usually wear. As your pregnancy progresses, look for long jackets or sweaters, tunic tops and leggings. Stick to a few basic pieces that you can mix and match.
Stain FAQs
(Editor's Note: Beginning this month, we will answer frequently asked questions about stains and stain removal)
Q. What's the best way to remove stains?
A. In just two words: Blot. Fast. Let's talk about "fast" first: The sooner you can treat a stain, the better chance you have of getting rid of it! So many of our customers wear an item, acquire a stain, and simply toss the garment into a closet or a laundry basket. The longer a stain goes untreated, the more likely it will set and not be completely removable.
As for "blot" please remember you should never rub a stain: You'll just be rubbing it into the fabric. Be sure to use a clean white cloth or towel. Keep replacing the towel or cloth with a clean one. If a food has spilled, remove as much of it as possible before blotting.
If you can wash the item at home, do it right away! Use stain-removal products or other products you've read about here in our newsletter and wash as directed. Do not dry the item in a dryer until you are certain that the stain has been removed. You may need to wash it more than once to get the stain out completely! If the item is "dry clean only" please bring it to us right away and be sure to point out where the stain occurred and let us know what caused it.
Home Laundry Tip
Been cuddling up under your blanket and now it needs to be washed? Of course, check the label first to make sure the blanket is washable. Then, make sure the machine has enough room for movement between the folds of the blanket. If it's jammed in too tight, you could damage the machine since the material won't have any room to move around. It's best to wash blankets using mild soap in cold water. We also recommend adding a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse to remove any residue from the soap; this will also keep the blanket soft and not stiff. Some blankets can go in the dryer on a warm setting, or you may need to hang the blanket up.