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Frequently Asked Questions...

We believe that our customers should have a basic understanding of the Dry Cleaning process, so we put together this page and we hope the information is clear and easy to understand.
If you have questions that we did not address here, please send them to us using the contact form.

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About Dry Cleaning



How Does a Dry Cleaner Wash Your Clothes?

There are two types of garment cleaning: wet cleaning and dry cleaning. Dry cleaning is suitable for delicate fabrics and other clothes, which cannot be washed by water. Dry cleaning is a method to wash dirt and stains by using a solvent instead of water. This is a very effective way to remove fatty stains, without changing the garment shape and altering the texture and the color of the fabric.
Dry cleaning is less effective for washing out dirt and grime that is easily soluble in water.


What is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning uses fluids (solvents) to remove soil and stains from fabric. In fact, the term “dry cleaning” is misleading; it is called dry cleaning because the fluid contains little or no water and does not penetrate the fibers of the fabric like water does. The advantage that dry cleaning has over wet cleaning is its ability to dissolve greases and oils in a way that water cannot. Dry Cleaning helps to return garments to a “like-new” condition using precautions to prevent shrinkage, loss of color, and fabric discoloration. The dry cleaning process begins with the pretreatment of spots and stains using special cleaning agents. The garments are then loaded into a machine resembling an oversized front-loading washer. Throughout the cleaning process the fluid is filtered or distilled to ensure its clarity. Today, the solvent used by almost 90% of all dry cleaners is perchloroethylene, commonly known as "perc." It is completely non-flammable and non-combustible, of relatively low toxicity, and can be efficiently reused and recycled.


What is wet cleaning?

Wet cleaning starts with the pretreatment of spots and stains using special cleaning agents. Wet cleaning is the process of removing soils from garments and other textile items through the use of water and additives (such as detergent) and using precautions to prevent shrinkage, loss of color, and fabric discoloration.


What is laundering?

Although it is similar to the laundering you do at home,
there are some important and distinctive differences:

In commercial laundering, your cleaner uses special detergents, additives, solvents and fabric finishers to remove soils and stains from fabric, and give the garment a "new look." This process enables your cleaner to offer consistent quality laundered shirts at reasonable prices.


Check the following when sending clothes to a Dry Cleaner:

  • Read care instruction labels of clothes. Check garment materials and any handle-with-care signs. If these are made of materials, which cannot be washed in water, they have to be sent to a dry cleaner.

  • If there are any stains, mark them by rough stitches with a white thread. If you know what caused the stains, you should tell the cleaner about them. In the case of two-piece or three-piece suits, they should be sent together to the cleaner for best results.

  • Empty all pockets.

  • If you find an open seam or a button missing, mend them yourself or ask the cleaner to do so.
    In the case special buttons are used, take these off the clothes before sending them to the cleaner.

  • Keep the receipt from the cleaner.

  • When cleaned clothes are returned, check the finish thoroughly. If you find the cleaning to be unsatisfactory or find any damage, inform the cleaner promptly.

  • Remove the plastic film cover from the clothes, air them in shade for a while before putting them in the closet.


What Are the Most Common Dry Cleaning Troubles?

In 1997, the Laundry and Dry Cleaning Association received 558 complaints from the public regarding damages made to their clothes in cleaning. The breakdown of the damage complaints and the parties who were found responsible are indicative. Among damages for which the clients were responsible, the most common was the "change of color" amounting to 66 % of the total cases. Cases of stains made by spilled bleach or damages caused by inappropriate storage are on the increase recently at individual homes. It is important that the consumers also have the basic knowledge about how to clean and keep clothes in good shape.


Professional cleaning involves many different operations, all performed by skilled people and designed to give your garments a fresh and clean appearance. Procedures include:

  • Checking the care label for instructions and fiber content

  • Classifying the garment according to fabric type, color and degree of soiling

  • Removing spots and stains using special equipment and stain removal techniques

  • Dry cleaning, wet cleaning, or laundering, only if so labeled

  • Reapplying any sizing, water repellency or other finishes when necessary

  • Finishing the garment on professional pressing equipment

  • Replacing buttons or performing minor repairs as necessary

  • Packing the garment in protective wrapping

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Care Labels are important.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that manufacturers attach a permanent care label to textile garments to provide directions for their care. Manufacturers must list at least one method of safe care for a garment. The rule covers all textile clothing except footwear, gloves, hats, suede and leather clothing, and household items such as linens. The rule stipulates that the care label is easily found, will not separate from the garment, and will remain legible for the garment's useful life.
The label must warn about any part of the recommended care method that would harm the garment of other garments cleaned with it. It must also warn when there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging it.Symbols also may appear on a care label to supplement written instructions.

If a label indicates dry cleaning, all components of the garment, including the outer shell, lining, buttons, interfacing, fusing material, and trim, should be colorfast and remain unaltered during cleaning. If any such problem occurs, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer. If you or your cleaner follow the manufacturer's instructions and the garment is damaged, you should return the garment to the store and explain what happened. If the store will not resolve the problem, write to the manufacturer and send a copy of your complaint letter to the FTC. The information you provide the FTC may reveal a pattern or practice requiring the Commission's attention. If you purchase a garment with no care label, you should contact the FTC, giving the name and address of the store and manufacturer.

Occasionally, damage done in dry cleaning is the responsibility of the dry cleaner and not the result of preexisting conditions or defects. In such cases, the cleaner will usually settle the claim promptly and fairly, often using IFI's Fair Claims Guide. If there is some doubt about responsibility, the member cleaner can send the garment to IFI's Garment Analysis Laboratory to determine the cause of the problem.


How you can help us and your clothes...

  • Bring your garments in for professional cleaning as soon as possible after staining occurs.
    Stains or soils left too long may become permanent.

  • Discuss any stains with your cleaner.

  • Keep perfumes, lotions, deodorants, antiperspirants, and other toiletries away from your clothes. These products likely contain alcohol, which will damage some dyes.

  • Protect garment, especially those made of silk, from excessive perspiration, as this can cause dyes to discolor.

  • Have matching pieces of an ensemble cleaned together so any color fading will be uniform.

  • Protect your garments from prolonged exposure to direct light.

  • Don't press stained or soiled clothing, as the heat may set some stains.



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Dry Clean guidelines:


#1. Talk to your dry cleaner about your garments.
See how knowledgeable he or she is about textiles, fabrics,
finishes and fibers.

#2. Ask your dry cleaner if he or she is a member of a fabricare association. They help keep your dry cleaner up-to-date. Membership might also be handy if a problem comes up since many offer garment analysis. No matter how knowledgeable someone is, it is a great help to be able to discuss things with your peers in the industry.

#3. Check out the cleanliness of the store. Many stores are dirty.
If a dry cleaner cannot keep his store clean, how can they be trusted to clean your clothes?

#4. Do not accept any odors on your freshly cleaned clothes.
You may smell the odor of plastic bags in the store, but under no circumstances should your clothes smell.

#5. If a stain does not come out, ask why. If you do not get a satisfactory answer, take the stained article to another dry cleaner. If the stain still does not come out, you will have verified what your dry cleaner told you.

#6. Check up on the quality of your ironing and machine pressing. The most often missed areas are the crotches of pants and the underarm of blouses and jackets. Are your creases where you wanted them? Are they straight? Did you ask for no creases?

#7. And last and most important, we really are THE BEST Cleaners in Las Vegas, because we go the extra mile to make sure you are satisfied, at the lowest price in town. If at any time you are not completely satisfied with anything we have cleaned or laundered and pressed, speak with Cynthia immediately and we will get it right. Remember, we aren't happy until you are!




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Spot and stain removal:


The following is for your information:

When a spot or stain occurs, first and foremost, ACT QUICKLY!
The longer a spot or stain remains in the carpet or fabric, the harder it will be to get it out. Scrape off as much solid material as you can and using clean absorbent towels (or paper towel roll),
blot the stain to absorb as much liquid as possible.
Apply the appropriate "spot remover" as directed below, for each type of stain listed. Always work from the outside towards the centre of the spot or stain and repeat the steps, if necessary.
Always blot between steps with a clean absorbent towel or paper towel roll.

CAUTION: ALWAYS DO A SPOT REMOVAL TEST on a "normally hidden" portion of the carpet or fabric and be careful not to over wet. NEVER, EVER, USE HOUSEHOLD BLEACH. If you have any doubts, please call us. We'll be happy to be of assistance.


How to Mix Home-Made Spot Removers:

  • Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia to one-half cup water.

  • Dish Detergent Solution: One teaspoon mild dish detergent to one cup water.

  • White Vinegar Solution: One-third cup white vinegar to two-thirds cup water.

  • Dry Cleaning Solution: Available at some hardware stores and supermarkets.


Spot or Stain Remedial Action:


Alcohol - Beer & Spirits 1. Spray with warm tap water or soda water.
2. Blot dry.
Blood 1. Apply cool dish detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply cool ammonia solution and blot.
3. Apply laundry detergent solution.
4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Chocolate 1. Apply cool dish detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution and blot.
Coffee - Tea - Coke 1. Apply cool dish detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with tap water and blot.
4. Apply white vinegar solution.
5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Fruit - Juice - Jelly
-Lemonade - Artificial Colouring 		1. Flush with cold tap water or soda water.
2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Glue 1. Apply dish detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with tap water and blot.
4. Apply laundry detergent solution and blot.
5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry

Cleaning methods may vary depending on the type of glue.
Follow manufacturer instructions carefully. Seek help from a professional carpet & upholstery cleaner.
Grass 1. Apply laundry detergent solution and blot.
2. Rinse with tap water. Blot again.
3. Apply ammonia solution and blot.
4. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.
5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Gravy - Sauce - Mustard 1. Apply dish detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.
3. Apply laundry detergent solution and blot.
4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Grease - Oil Apply a dry cleaning solution or carpet shampoo.
Chewing Gum 1. Chill with ice cubes.
2. Scrape off as much of the gum as possible.
3. Apply dry cleaning solution and blot.
Ink (Ball Point) Apply dry cleaning solution.
Ink (Felt Tip or Fountain Pen) Seek professional help, the risk of spreading the ink and causing permanent damage is very high.
Best to have felt tip or fountain pen stains removed by
a professional carpet & upholstery cleaner.
Milk 1. Apply warm water or soda water and blot.
2. Apply dish detergent solution and blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution and blot again.
4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Mud - Soil 1. Allow to dry.
2. Brush, scrape or vacuum off as much possible.
3. Apply dish detergent solution.
4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Nail Polish 1. Apply dry cleaning solution and blot.
2. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Paint (Oil or Water Based) Seek professional help, the risk of spreading the paint and permanent damage is very high.
Best to have paint spills removed by
a professional carpet & upholstery cleaner.
Rust Although commercial rust removers are widely available and may be used, we don't recommend it. They are both
expensive and dangerous and can cause irreversable damage to carpets or fabrics. It is advisable to seek professional help
in this instance.
Shoe Polish - Tar 1. Apply a dry cleaning solution and blot.
2. Repeat until stain fades.
3. Apply dish detergent solution.
Urine - Animal Stains 1. Apply dish detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution. Blot again.
3. Rinse with tap water and blot.
4. Apply white vinegar solution. Blot again.
5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Vomit / Faeces 1 . Apply laundry detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution and blot.
3. Rinse with tap water. Blot again.
4. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.
5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Wax - Crayons - Lipstick 1 . Apply dry cleaning solution and blot.
2. Repeat until stain fades.
3. Apply dish detergent solution. Blot again.
4. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Wine 1 . Apply dish detergent solution and blot.
2. Apply white vinegar solution and blot.
3. Rinse with tap water. Blot again.
4. Apply ammonia solution.
5. Rinse with tap water and blot dry.
Disclaimer:
This guide to Spot & Stain removal
techniques is provided courtesy of
Cynthia's Best Cleaners.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this guide, we must advise that some cleaning
solutions can and will have an adverse
effect on some fibres or fabrics.
Always, always, test a small inconspicuous area first and / or consult an adequately qualified person for advice. Cynthia's Best Cleaners accepts no liability for any claim
arising pertaining to this publication.

 

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