The only way to guarantee your clothes longevity, especially if they are made with delicate fabrics, is to take care of them. While most fabric labels indicate when they require special care – hand washing, dry cleaning, delicate fabric cycle – they are not that easy to figure out unless you are a cleaning expert. Without this knowledge, you run the risk of shrinking, changing the color of your favorite clothes, or causing permanent damage. Here are Flair Cleaners’ tips to take care of your delicate fabrics!
Silk: Delicate Cleaning
Silk is one of the more noble fabrics and one of the most fragile ones you will have in your closet. As you will undoubtedly already know from its label, cleaning silk is a hassle: dry cleaning, cold ironing, neutral soap, flat drying, and so forth.
The garment’s design and complexity make silk a delicate fabric. The fiber is not the issue; the real challenge is the finish, the lining, the embroidery, the interfacing, etc. The more complex it is, the more delicate it is, and dry cleaning will be recommended.
Never twist silk and let it dry by exposing it to the sun; this is crucial. Letting it dry on a hanger may seem like a good idea, but it can deform the garment and stretch the fibers. Your best option would be to lay the fabric flat on a clean and dry towel. Now for the ironing. Make sure to iron the back of your garment on a flat and damp cloth at your iron’s lowest temperature.
Unfortunately, the maintenance guidelines indicated on labels are often too general and fail to meet expectations. When in doubt, it is best to go to Flair Cleaners, especially if you want eco-friendly products. You treated yourself and bought a superb silk blouse, do not risk a disastrous result just because of a simple stain!
Linen: the Secret Lies in the Choice of Products
Linen, as noble and natural as it is, is one of the rare fabrics that improve with each wash. The fabric is more flexible and softer, making clothes appear nicer, brighter, and more pleasant to touch. Be careful to use the right products and have appropriate reflexes so that you don’t watch your white top turn pink after one wash.
You can wash your linen-based clothing in the washing machine or by hand. Take caution with water temperature, which should not exceed 122°F. It is also imperative not to use chlorine-based detergents as they may turn yellow and damage the textile fiber.
Note that linen has the advantage of drying very quickly. The optimal drying method is to spread it out in the open air as soon as the washing cycle is complete. When it comes to ironing, be aware that you should not do it once the fabric has dried. Similarly to silk, it is best to iron on a damp cloth and on the back side at a low temperature.
To enjoy your favorite linen clothes all summer long, it would be wise to invest in a finishing treatment. This treatment allows garments to regain their original shape while retaining their flexibility. Ask Flair Cleaners for more information.
Preserve your Lace’s Original Whiteness
Often used to perfect undergarments, wedding dresses, or other refined clothing, lace is a delicate material. This particular fabric is a cleaning nightmare as its maintenance is a real challenge because the fabric is complicated and subject to deformation.
There is a distinction between factory-made lace and handmade lace, and they require different care. The factory-made lace can be machine washed in cold water, provided you slip it into a pillowcase to protect it from the drum of the washing machine and other fabrics.
To avoid the risk of yellowing the lace, carefully dose your detergent and softener. For handmade lace, however, it is strongly discouraged to use your washing machine. Instead, soaking it without rubbing it with suitable detergents and active oxygen is a better option. Wring out your lace garment by rolling it in a clean towel, taking care never to twist it. Then spread it on a flat surface to finish drying the fabric.
Unfortunately, lace tends to yellow over time. Flair Cleaners GreenEarth process can slow or eliminate this process if the lace item is always dry cleaned.
At Flair Cleaners, we’re experts in caring for delicate fabrics and all of your clothing and household linens, whatever their requirements. Each location provides quality care and brings your clothes back to life.
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