Varsity Cleaners - Did You Know? - Clothing and Stain removal tips

Tip of the Day -Cottons, organdies, are easier to iron when they are damp


	• Prevent fading and color bleeding . Next time you buy dark (or bright) colored clothing, set the color by soaking the garment for an hour in a mix of 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon of salt and 1/2 gallon of water. If the rinse water shows color after an hour, repeat the process. Use this technique only for single-colored items, because multi-colored items may bleed into each other. • To remove the residue on washable garments, wash as soon as possible after wear in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Soaking in a detergent containing enzymes or an enzyme presoak may be necessary. If the stain remains, try using three percent hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach, according to fiber type or care label instructions. Before using, test for colorfastness.

	• When traveling, keep the plastic bag your dry-cleaner returns your clothes in - they're brilliant for reducing wrinkles. Just fold your clothes while still on the hanger in the bag. Pack them, complete with their hanger, in your suitcase: at the other end they'll have less wrinkles and be ready to go straight in the wardrobe. If there's not enough room in your luggage for the hangers, just slide them out before you fold the garment inside the bag.

	• If you're putting washing on the line to dry, be careful when the sun is out - as whites can turn yellow on cloudless sunny days. • Always be sure to clean your clothes before storing away for the season to prevent stains setting in, colorloss and fabric damage. Insects are attracted to soiled clothes and will cause further damage.

	• To clean your upholstery at home, you can rent a steam cleaner at your local supermarket, and do the job yourself. Or, to give your upholstery a thorough cleaning, use either upholstery cleaner, or mix 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent in a quart of warm water. Beat with a mixer, and clean the furniture using only the suds. Work on a small area at a time, overlapping areas to avoid spotting. Change the rinse water frequently to keep it clean. Use a fan to thoroughly dry the furniture.

	• The process: dry cleaning uses fluids to remove soils and stains from fabrics. Among the advantages of dry cleaning is its ability to dissolve grease and oils in a way that water cannot. Natural fibers such as wools and silks dry clean beautifully, but can shrink, distort, and lose color when washed in water. Synthetic fibers like polyester also respond well to dry cleaning, whereas they can retain oily stains after washing. dry cleaning helps to return garments to a "like-new" condition using precautions to prevent shrinkage, loss of color, and change of texture or finish. • Choose a dry cleaner for quality, service, convenience, and price-in that order • Show your dry cleaner all stains, fabric pills, snags, pressing problems, and minor repairs .

	Q. Should I use hairspray to remove a ballpoint ink stain? A. Hairspray and water can remove ballpoint ink, but you may be trading one problem for another. That's because hairspray could contain alcohol and oils such as resins and lanolin. The alcohol in the hairspray can cause color damage especially on silk; likewise, oils and other ingredients could lead to additional stains. Q. How do you remove deodorant and antiperspirant residue? A. Many people do not realize that prolonged contact with deodorants and antiperspirants may cause permanent damage. Combined with the effects of perspiration, the damage can be extensive. The most frequent damage is caused by overuse of these products, or infrequent cleanings. This leads to the buildup of a stiff, caked-up residue or to fabric damage.