Wilmette Tailors & Cleaners

Boys Will Be Boys

Have a football hero in the family?

Then grass stains are certainly not foreign to you. The problem is, of course, that grass stains are among the hardest to handle. Here are some tips for you:

First, soak the stain in a stronger-than usual solution of detergent. Second, brush the stain with a stiff brush – making sure, first, that the fabric can withstand this treatment. Finally, wash the garment as you normally would. If the fabric is not washable, bring the garment in for our attention, and we’ll do our very best to save it.

Remember, as with all stains … the sooner you attend to them, the better your chances are for restoration.

Going Business-Casual?

Has your office made the switch to “business-casual” dress?

Business-casual dress codes have done away with the standard “jacket and tie” tradition in the workplace. Khaki slacks teamed with sportshirts or sweaters are very acceptable.

But don’t be fooled into thinking business-casual means “sloppy.” Your appearance still says a lot about you and your compa­ny. Bring your casual clothes in for our professional care and you’ll always look your best.

While washing a pair of khaki slacks or a cotton sportshirt is certainly not a big deal, it’s the finishing that makes all the difference. We’ll see to it that everything you bring to us is finished to perfection. You’ll look crisp and sharp – ready to face anyone showing up at your office. You’ll begin to think of us as a valuable business partner!

Cool Nights Are Coming

Cooler nights are upon us. Have you pulled your woolen blankets from stor­age yet? Here are a couple of tips for their care …

Check care labels before you do any­thing. If your blankets are washable, use a gentle setting in your machine and cool water – hot water will yellow and shrink wool. Be sure to use a mild deter­gent and check to see that the detergent is thoroughly dissolved before putting your blankets in. Rinse very thoroughly and do not use a softener.

What’s Fume Fading?

Most people are familiar with color loss in clothing that is caused by expo­sure to the sun. But did you know that air pollution contributes in a major way to color loss? We call a color loss from air pollution “fume fading,” and you need to be familiar with it.

Air pollution from car exhausts ­especially in urban areas – exists indoors as well as outdoors. In fact, it is more damaging to clothing in confined spaces, such as dresser drawers and clos­ets where there is little circulation.

Unfortunately, fume fading often shows up only after cleaning, because soils may mask the condition and because the heat of the cleaning process heightens the problem. You can identify fading caused by pollution by its streaked appearance. Fading from sun­light is usually even.

There’s not much we can do to help a garment that’s already damaged. But you can fight this condition through regular cleaning care and by storing your clothes in clean closets with good air flow.

Towel Tips You’ll Love

If you’ve noticed that your terry towels – including dish towels and face cloths – are harsh to the touch and seem to be hard and coarse, the problem probably is that they haven’t been prop­erly rinsed. Try using detergent only during the soak or pre-wash cycle in your machine and not during the wash cycle. By using only clean water during the wash and rinse cycles, your towels will get a thorough rinsing.

When drying, use a mid-range heat setting and remove and fluff the towels immediately after they are dry. To save energy and add a bit more freshness, hang the towels outdoors. When they are almost dry, pop them into the tumble dryer until completely dry.