January 2008 Issue
In this months Issue:
Leather & Suede Buying Guide
New Year's Resolutions
Environmental Tip of the Month
Home Laundry Tip
Leather and suede garments are usually more expensive and need to be treated with special care. First, be sure to buy the garment from a reputable source, so if you have any problems, the retailer or distributor will be able to assist you.
First and foremost, we would recommend that you NOT buy a leather or suede garment without trying it on first. That's because sizes run a bit snugger than you might be used to buying. So save the Internet for other types of garments. When trying on a leather or suede item, avoid a snug fit. In this case, a little bigger is actually better, since hides are stretched during the tanning process and "relaxation shrinkage" can be expected during regular useand in cleaning. I nspect the garment before buying. Look for careful matching of colors and textures between portions of the item. Choose light colors, since they're less likely to fade and cause dye transfer problems in cleaning.
If you purchase a coat or jacket, be sure to wear a scarf to protect the collar area from perspiration. If the coatgets wet, let it air dry away from heat. Never store any leather item in a plastic bag. Instead, use cloth, like an old pillowcase. It's best to store leather garments in a cool, ventilated area. Leather can dry out if it's exposed to dry heat and it can mildew if it's stored in a hot, humid environment.
It's best to clean leather or suede matching pieces together (like a vest and pants), since there may be some variance in the depth of color after cleaning, and there may be some changes or loss of color in the garment. Since leathers are often treated with oils to keep them supple, these oils can be lost in the cleaning process and may change the "feel" of the garment.
Suede garments need special attention both before and after you wear them. First, spray the garment with a suede protector product. This will act as a preventative measure in case of stains. Brush or rub suede jackets lightly after wear-a bath towel will work well or you can buy a special suede brush. You can try rubbing a clean pencil eraser on a stain. Never apply any kind of stain remover to suede garments. Leather and suede garments truly need special care, especially when it comes to cleaning. If you want to look great, let the clothing care specialists at Pressed4Time take care of your leather and suede items!
New Year's Resolutions
Yes, it's that time of year again, when everyone begins making resolutions. Typical resolutions? Losing weight, quitting bad habits, spending more time with family and friends or even making that first million bucks. Unfortunately, most people start off with good intentions but don't follow through (but we can still dream about that million dollars, right?)
Here are two resolutions that are easy to follow and will bring you great rewards. Now, please raise your right hand and promise:
* NEVER to store clothes in the plastic garment bags we provide. We give them to you to protect your clothes ONLY until you get home. Store them uncovered or in fabric garment bags. Otherwise, clothes can actually get damp or damaged in the plastic. Clothes, like people, need to breathe!! You can use a fabric garment bag for extra-fancy outfits that don't get worn too often.
* ALWAYS to bring in stained itemsimmediately. The longer a stain sets, the harder it is to remove. So go into the back of your closet where you threw that stained garment and bring it to us right now!
Environmental Tip of the Month
We're all concerned about the health of our planet, so this month we're kicking off a year-long series of environmentally friendly garment care tips, suggestions and creative alternatives. Whether it's finding great uses for old clothing, dressing "green", choosing the best detergent, exploring alternatives to ironing or debating the merits of cloth vs. disposable diapers, each month we'll share easy and inexpensive ways for our customers to increase their knowledge and reduce their environmental impact.
This month, let's talk about recycling socks. Anyone who washes clothes knows that socks have a funny way of disappearing, often leaving you with "singles" that don't have a match. Rather than throwing them out, or worse, throwing them into the back of a drawer in the vain hope of the partner magically reappearing one day, we have some great ways to recycle and reuse old socks.
Before undertaking most of theseideas, be sure to clean the socks thoroughly!!
Dusting, cleaning or polishing: Old socks make great "mitts" for dusting, dishwashing, waxing your car, polishing your shoes or cleaning your blinds. Old socks are also great for those hard-to-reach places under appliances or placed on a long stick to reach high places.
Covering and protecting: Cover your shoes with old socks when youre storing them or if you're traveling. Socks can be used to cover and protect CDs, wrap breakable items when you're moving or putting things in storage, store your eyeglasses or even make knee protectors for crawling babies.
Having fun with socks: Kids (and pets) don't need fancy toys to have fun. Tie a few socks together for a great doggie pull toy or put catnip in a sock. Your kids will love playing with and making sock dolls or animals, puppets or even beanbags.
Buying the same socks. By buying a plain sock or the same type or brand of sock, you can mix and match, even if one goes missing.
Sewing It Up? If you're willing to experiment, you can make scarves, rugs, hats, mittens, "feet" for pajamas, potholders, foot warmers, baby blankets, drawstring bags, doorway draft stoppers...the sky's the limit!
Home Laundry Tip
How often do you wash your dish towels? If you cook frequently and/or have a large family, you may need to change your dish towels every day. For smaller households or those that do a lot of takeout, changing dish towels twice a week is probably fine. Remember, if you use a dish towel to wipe up any kind of food like raw egg, meat or chicken juice, milk, etc. it's best to wash it immediately to get rid of any bacterial contamination and/or stains.
When you buy new dish towels (linen is best since it is durable, highly absorbent, softens on repeated washings and is naturally resistant to bacteria), be sure to wash them before use to remove any excess dye. Don't ever use fabric softener; this can break down the fibers and make the towel less absorbent. Be sure to dry towels thoroughly and don't throw damp towels into a hamper or drawer; since this can cause mold or bacteria to grow.