FAQ's
What is an invisible stain?
That stain wasn't there when I brought it in! What did you do to it? The fact is that many yellow and brown stains that appear after dry cleaning were really there before the item was brought in. Common stains such as fruit juice, coffee, tea, soft drinks etc dry invisibly soon after they occur. They are still there, you just can't see them. Heat or prolonged exposure to the air will make them appear again. Have you ever seen an apple with a bite out of it that gradually turns yellow before your eyes? Because the stain quickly turns invisible the customer usually forgets about it. (out of sight, out of mind) When he brings the item in for dry cleaning, the heat used as part of the process brings out the stain making it look like the drycleaner caused it. Unfortunately the stain is now set and is very difficult to remove. The best defense is to take note of stains when the occur so that you can inform the cleaner when you bring the items in. This greatly increases the chance of successfully removing the stain..
How can I safely remove a stain?
People are always asking me if they can safely remove certain stains at home using a wide variety of items such as hairspray, alcohol, water, etc. The answer is yes.......and no. In some cases you can easily remove spots and stains using items found around the house but the question is are you willing to take the chance. I can't tell you how many times customers will ask us to try and remove a stain that they made much worse trying to remove it at home. Unfortunately the damage is usually not reversible. So the first question before attempting home stain removal is " Am I willing to take a chance?" If it's an expensive item take it to your local drycleaner. If it's an inexpensive item and you are willing to take a chance then my best advise it to test first. What ever you may be using to remove the stain should be put on an area of the garment that is hidden to check for dye bleeding. Secondly you should never rub the fabric but rather "daub" it and try to soak up the stain. Try to "feather" the stain reducing the chances of leaving a larger stain. Let it air dry. Do not wash until your sure the stain has been completely removed, otherwise you could permanently set the stain.
What is dry cleaning?
The term "dry" in cleaning refers to the fact that little or no moisture (water) is used in the process. Drycleaning machines look very much like washing machines with the most obvious difference being that instead of using soap and water they use Perchlorethelene (perc) and soap. Perc is a solvent similar to gasoline. Solvent based cleaning is safe, gentle and ideal for removing grease and oily type stains. For brightness washing or wet cleaning is still tops but drycleaning is necessary to prevent dye bleeding and shrinkage in certain fabrics. Most drycleaning machines are dry to dry meaning that the clothes are placed in the machine in a dry state, the machine then washes (dry cleans), removes the perc from the clothes (dries) and the items are taken out dry and ready for pressing. The average cleaning cycle is approximately 45 to 60 minutes. New EPA regulations are making it very expensive for drycleaners to continue using chemicals like perc therefore new wet cleaning methods are being developed that will someday allow washing of wools and other natural fabrics.
Why are women's blouses more expensive to launder?
Size does matter! Women's blouses simply do not fit on the machinery and there are not enough of them to justify buying special equipment. Men's shirts are processed on a shirt unit at a rate of approximately 130 per hour. Women's blouses have to be hand pressed and are processed at a rate of about 24 per hour.
What is VIP Express Service?
VIP Express Service is a convenient way to drop off your cleaning. We supply you with a free nylon bag with a personalized ID tag containing your cleaning preferences. At home you just fill up the bag and when you come in just drop the bag and go! No waiting, no lines! Even if there are other customers in the store you can just drop and go because the bag contains all the information we need. Any coupons or special instructions can be left with the bag.
Why does "Free" Box Storage cost me money?
Box storage is one of the best but little understood services we offer. Those who take advantage of it are able to essentially use Dorothys as an extra closet. At the change of seasons, usually spring or fall, customers will bring in all of the past season's clothing such as sweaters, coats and blankets and drop them off. We charge nothing for storing the clothes in an insured, humidity controlled vault. If the clothing needs to be cleaned or repaired while in storage there is a charge for that service. Additionally if the customer does not have homeowner's insurance we can provide temporary coverage for the season. Every order includes free insurance up to $100.
More Info Call 800-975-5897