Quick Answers to Common Questions

Q. Does frequent dry-cleaning shorten the life of a garment?

A. On the contrary, frequent cleaning prolongs the life of a garment. Not only do stains set with age, making the garment unwearable, but ground-in dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing rapid wear of fibers. Also, insects are attracted to soiled clothes and will cause further damage.

Q. When a garment's label says "washable," does this mean it cannot be dry-cleaned?

A. Not necessarily. The Care Label Rule states that only one suitable method of care must be on the label. Cleaners usually follow the care instructions, unless otherwise requested. If you want your washable items dry-cleaned, the cleaner may ask you to sign a waiver

Q. Are suede and leather cleaned the same way as other fabrics?

A. No. Special procedures and additives are used on leathers to help retain their color and texture. Sometimes suedes and leather are redyed to replace color loss. It is not always possible to replace or match the colors.

Q. Does dry-cleaning shrink clothes?

A. Usually not. The dry-cleaning process is carefully controlled to prevent shrinking clothes. 

Q. Should I store my clean garments in the plastic bag they are returned in?

A. The bags are provided by the cleaner to protect the garment until you get it home. It is best to store garments uncovered or in fabric garment bags.

Q. Is it safe to wet-clean a garment with "Dry-clean Only" care instructions?

A. When determining if a garment can be safely wet-cleaned, the cleaner will look at the fiber content, fabric construction, colorfastness, trims, and other components such as interfacings and linings.

DLI's Consumer News You Can Use  Vol. 64

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