Silk Garments and tailored garments

Dry clean only unless otherwise advised. best not to leave liquid stains to sit until dry. Most will stand up to being wiped or squeezed clean with a damp NOT WET for accidents - but never rub vigorously as you may damage the fabric . If you do accidentally shrink your garment in an water accident you may be able to stretch it back carefully with an iron - if you are unsure ask an expert cleaner or maybe we can do it for you.

Dry clean Sprays

Always test on an area that is not noticeable as you may get a circle which looks worse than the original stain. Make sure you use spray in a ventilated area - especially the brands that turn to powder (shake outside ). It is best to have a towel placed under your garment to soak up any excess spray.

Alcohol

After finding out that costumes for the stage used to be cleaned with Vodka . I tested cleaning with alcohol from the pharmacy on some garments and found it more affective than water in some cases as it evaporates quickly. I found it useful when cleaning a bridal dress for a client in an emergency.

Pre-washed / Pre-shrunk fabrics

We can do this for some fabrics - mainly knits useful for heavy wear garments you want to throw in the machine. On some fabrics it may change the handle we always test first there is a time charge for this.

Bridal cleaning

Always seek out 'personal' recommendations for dry cleaners. Some bridal stores get kick backs for their referrals to dry cleaners and there are strangers on the web/networking who refer you to their own family business. Be sure to check it after its done. A high price does not guarantee a good job. I know of a cleaner that charges $150 and did a useless job - my local cleaner charges $30 for instance. If you plan to wear the dress a second time and are on a time limit ensure you do leave enough time to take it to a second place if the first cleaner screws up.

Storing the cleaned dress before the second wedding:
Plan where to store it when you get it home (eg. in mum's spare room ). Find out how they are bagging it - you may have to open it out to stop creasing. you may have to take the dress off the hanging hooks and lay it open and flat.

Rhinestones

IMPORTANT
Please make sure you find out how your stones are glued on and clean appropriately ( which might be hand washing - if the fabric is hand washable) A lot of designers are using E 600 glue which is labeled DO NOT dry clean and happily telling their clients it is.

I was advised this glue was dry clean safe by all my suppliers and other costumier colleagues.

Jan 05 = here are some basic test comparisons...

Dry clean
1 - the e600 glued stones (large and small) fell off after only the second dry clean in perchloroethylene
2 - the Swarovski & cheap brand hot fix /glue backs stayed fast (large and small size)

Water
Both glue and hot fix stay on with warm wash - also I have been advised that the USA swim teams who swim have no problem with either glue methods. more tests will be posted here .... meanwhile please advise your ballroom students to check the glue used on their dresses before dry cleaning. and certainly forward this on to anyone that may have done similar tests / reports / or let me know about anyone who had updated or more extensive advice.