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Dry Cleaning History
Dry cleaning is a valuable service that has been used for over a century. The process was first invented in 1855 by Jean Baptiste Jolly, a French dye-works operator, who noticed that kerosene could be used to remove stains from clothing without damaging the fabric. In the early 20th century, dry cleaning became more widely available as cleaning machines were developed and solvent chemicals were refined.
Types of Solvents
Tips!
Taking care of your clothes is important if you want them to last longer and look their best. Here are some tips on how to keep your clothes in good condition:
Sort your clothes before washing them: Sort your clothes into piles of whites, lights, and darks before washing them. This will prevent colors from bleeding onto lighter fabrics and keep your whites looking bright.
Read the care labels: Check the care labels on your clothes to see how they should be washed and dried. Some fabrics require special care, such as hand washing or air drying. Following the care instructions will help prevent damage to your clothes.
Use the right temperature: Use the right water temperature when washing your clothes. Hot water can shrink or fade some fabrics, while cold water may not be effective at removing stains. Check the care label to see what temperature is recommended for your clothes.
Use the right detergent: Use a detergent that's appropriate for the type of fabric you're washing. Some detergents are designed for delicate fabrics, while others are better for removing tough stains. Follow the instructions on the detergent bottle to determine how much to use.
Don't overstuff the washer or dryer: Don't overstuff your washer or dryer, as this can damage your clothes and make them wrinkle. Instead, fill the machines to about 3/4 of their capacity.
Hang clothes to dry: Hang clothes to dry whenever possible, as this will prevent shrinkage and damage from the dryer. Be sure to check the care label to see if the fabric can be air-dried.
Iron clothes carefully: Use an iron to remove wrinkles from your clothes, but be careful not to burn or scorch the fabric. Use a low heat setting for delicate fabrics and a higher heat setting for sturdier fabrics.
Store clothes properly: Store your clothes in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and mildew. Hang clothes that are prone to wrinkling, such as dresses and suits, and fold clothes that are less likely to wrinkle, such as t-shirts and jeans.
Taking care of your clothes may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth it if you want your clothes to look their best and last longer. By following these tips, you can keep your clothes in good condition and avoid having to replace them as often.
DRY CLEANING
When you look at the label on your clothes, there might be a small circle on it. If there is, that means you have to take it to the dry cleaner to clean it instead of washing it at home. Sometimes there is a letter inside the circle which tells the dry cleaner what chemical to use when cleaning the clothes. If there are more bars underneath the circle, that means the dry cleaner needs to be extra careful when cleaning the clothes. But if there is a cross over the circle, it means you should not take it to the dry cleaner to clean it.
IRONING
When you look at the label on your clothes, there might be an iron symbol on it. If there are no dots on the symbol, it means you can iron the clothes with any temperature. But, if there are dots, it means you have to be careful with the temperature you use. One dot means the clothes are delicate, like silk and wool, so you have to use a low temperature. Two dots mean the clothes are synthetic, so you can use a slightly higher temperature. Three dots mean the clothes are made of linen or cotton, so you can use a higher temperature. But if there is a cross over the iron symbol, it means you should not iron the clothes.
DRYING
If you look at the label on your clothes, there might be a square with a circle inside it. This means you can put the clothes in the dryer. The more dots on the iron symbol mean different temperature levels for the dryer:
1 dot: low temperature
2 dots: medium temperature
3 dots: high temperature
But if there is a cross over the tumble dry symbol, it means you should not put the clothes in the dryer.
HAND WASHING
When you look at the label on your clothes, there might be a tub with a hand symbol on it. This means you can either wash the clothes by hand or put it in a delicate washing cycle with a temperature of 40°C/104°F or lower. Hand washing is best for delicate clothes like cashmere or silk, because it's gentle and helps prevent shrinking or snagging. If there is a twisted symbol on the label, it means you can wring the clothes to get rid of excess water after washing. But if there is a cross over the twisted symbol, it means you should not wring the clothes.
SYNTHETIC WASHING
When you look at the label on your clothes, there might be a symbol of a tub. This means you can wash the clothes in the washing machine. The number on the tub symbol tells you the maximum temperature that you can use to wash the clothes. The more bars underneath the tub symbol indicate a reduction of spinning and rinsing:
No bar: The clothes can be spun and rinsed as usual.
1 bar: The spin speed should be reduced.
2 bars: The wash should be mild, but the clothes can be spun and rinsed as usual.
But if there is a cross over the tub symbol, it means you should not wash the clothes in the washing machine.
Complete Care Guide
