The first step in taking care of your clothing is to read the label. While this might say machine wash, it’s fairly common for it to read “dry clean only.” This might seem like a daunting task if you’ve never used a dry-cleaning service before. To make yourself feel more comfortable about the process, get the answers to the questions new customers commonly want to know. 

What Customers Frequently Want to Know About Dry Cleaning

What is dry cleaning?

Many fabrics and materials can be detrimentally harmed if they are cleaned with water — not to mention the damage most washing machines can do. To avoid this, the dry-cleaning process uses waterless liquid solvents and special detergents to safely lift soil from clothing, linens, and other delicate pieces. 

What types of clothes should be dry cleaned?

When deciding whether to bring your outfit to the dry cleaners, pay close attention to the fabric. Natural materials — like linen, silk, and wool — can lose their unique feel and qualities if placed in a traditional washer and dryer. Rayon, a semisynthetic material, consists of purified cellulose fiber and is known to bleed, shrink, and lose its shape in a washing machine. 

Is it all right to dry clean other fabrics?

While it is not necessary to dry clean cotton and synthetic materials, it will help them to last longer. The washing process is much gentler and does not rely on extreme temperatures or water — which leads to less wear and tear. Additionally, the cleaners pre-spot the clothing beforehand based on the type of fabric to ensure all stains and soils are effectively removed.

Is frequent dry cleaning harmful?

Not at all. Actually, letting stains sit for a prolonged period makes it more difficult to remove them later and could make a garment unwearable. Also, accumulated dirt and soils wear against the fibers like sandpaper and can break down the material, leading to holes or an improper fit. 

When you have clothing or delicate fabrics that need to be dry cleaned, turn to the professionals at Powell Cleaners. Since 1990, this family-owned dry cleaner has provided quality dry cleaning, tailoring, and alterations services to the Powell and Dublin, OH, areas. Visit any one of their three convenient locations for immediate service. You can also learn more about their services by calling (614) 792-1118 or by visiting their website.