by aline on February 9, 2012
Will the stain come out or will it spread?
To be clear, we are talking about washable clothing here. Fact is it’s hard to know, without training, if a stain will come out. But, most “concentrated” stains will spread before being contained and removed. We want to help you to do the “right thing,” at home, or before taking it to your drycleaner. Here are some telltale signs to help you make a prudent and safe decision.
Hint: Water-based stains usually have a ring or an outline on the outside. So …
- If you know that the stain is water-based, then go ahead and treat it, wash it, and air-dry it. Do NOT machine dry unless you are sure the stain was removed!
- Most “colored” stains such as chocolate, wine, milk and punch—to name a few—will wash out, even large spills. But, don’t tumble dry the garment the first time around: The stain may require color-safe-bleaching to remove the “last trace.”
Hint: Oily stains have NO ring, so don’t be fooled: Think twice before washing!
- If the stain contains food oils, lipstick or ink—and has NO clear outline—then soap and water may set the stain—even if it appears to be helping. The stain will probably “re-appear” after air-drying.
- Blotchy-looking stains—like those on kid’s T’s and other cotton garments—are almost always oily, so get them to your drycleaner before washing at home!
Hint: Very small stains and spills can often be removed from upholstery, but …
- You must first identify the stain as water-based or oil-based. And, you may not be able to see the outline, so be very careful before proceeding at home.
- The smallest, most innocent stain, could spread and bleed, and your upholstery cover probably cannot be washed, so think twice before proceeding!
This tip is ©2012 The Clothing Doctor and used with permission. May not be reproduced in any form without written permission.
by aline on November 1, 2010
Environmentally Friendly Dry Cleaning
Gadue’s Dry Cleaning is at the leading edge of a revolution in dry cleaning technology. Since April, Gadue’s has been testing a brand new dry cleaning fluid that is non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for human health—not to mention exceptional at cleaning clothes.
Gadue’s Dry Cleaning was the first company in the world chosen by Kreussler Chemical to test their new dry cleaning system, SystemK4. SystemK4 includes cleaning fluid SolvonK4, a halogen-free solvent that is highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and absolutely safe. The testing phase, performed by Gadue’s and three other dry cleaning facilities around the world, was a complete success. Kreussler introduced SystemK4 to the world in Milan, Italy on October 15, 2010.
Up to now, most dry cleaners have relied on a chlorinated hydrocarbon that is detrimental for the environment if released, particularly for ground water. That solvent is perchloroethylene, or perc. Alternative solvents have been introduced to the market in the last decade, but Gadue’s Dry Cleaning chose not to pursue any of those options because of their lack of effectiveness in cleaning clothes and/or cost associated with capital improvements that would have been necessary for the switch. We have been careful users of perchlor for thirty years with the hope that something new and better would some day come to market. That day has arrived.
By the end of 2010, Gadue’s Dry Cleaning will have converted all dry cleaning operations to use SolvonK4. We will offer our clients truly environmental dry cleaning, as well as environmentally friendly wet cleaning and laundering options. Vermonters who are looking for a green alternative for cleaning and restoring their garments will have one in Gadue’s Dry Cleaning.
SystemK4 can be found on the web at www.systemk4.com
Will the stain come out or will it spread?
