How often do you check the care label before you buy a new garment? If it says Dry Clean Only, is that the only way to clean it? The Federal Trade Commission requires that every garment purchased have a sewn-in care label that supplies at least one safe method for cleaning. There may be other acceptable methods that can be used, but the manufacturer lists the preferred and most conservative method first. Sometimes instructions for care are for the fabric rather than for trim, such as sewn-on or even glued beading or sequins. The label should also warn against any cleaning process that might harm the garment.

One of the biggest frustrations dry cleaners face is an inaccurate or missing care label on clothing. On top of that, there isn’t an internationally recognized care label system at the present time, so clothing manufactured outside North America might use different symbols. An important fact to note is just because an item is expensive doesn’t translate into an equivalent level of quality or serviceability.

So what’s a consumer to do?

• First, when buying unique clothing, such as designer labels, most outerwear, ski outfits, blended fabrics and garments with contrasting colors…(think black and white), definitely check out the care label BEFORE getting out the credit card.
• Many formal gowns and dresses have care labels that say, “Spot Clean Only”, this means that the item cannot safely be submerged in any type of solvent or water and there is no safe way to completely clean the garment.
• Lined clothing like jackets, suits, skirts and pants should absolutely be dry cleaned. Taffeta, wool, silk, leather and suede items should be left to the pros. Same goes for velvet, acetate and many rayon items. Garments with metal embellishments, fancy sequins or trim, usually require special care as well.
• Finally and most important, if you’re considering buying a questionable garment, ask the store if they can provide information about cleaning. What is their policy on returning items that have cleaning issues? Have they heard any feedback from other customers? If they can’t provide a satisfactory answer, put your credit card back in your wallet and move along!

Yes, some garments can be washed that say Dry Clean Only, but if you don’t want to risk ruining it, send it to a professional.

We hear this question often and wanted to give you some guidelines from The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute. Despite information to the contrary, professional dry cleaning will actually prolong the life of a garment.  In fact, it’s the oils, body salts, cologne, perfumes, hair products, insoluble soil, rain, food and beverage stains that  will shorten the life of your garment.

First and foremost, a person’s body heat, activity, and the clothing’s stains largely determine cleaning frequency. If a garment is soiled or affected by perspiration or odor, it should be dry-cleaned as soon as possible. Light color garments and frequently worn clothes are especially susceptible to dirt and require more frequent cleaning. Have all matching pieces such as suits cleaned at the same time. This prevents any inconsistencies resulting from color changes. Always clean your garments before storing away for a season. Moths and insects are attracted to oil and perspiration.
Below are some more specific guidelines based on the Texas climate:

• Clean EVERY other wearing: Tuxedo, Dress, Skirt, Wool dress pants, Wool suit, Lightweight Suit, Sportcoat or Blazer, Sweaters
• Clean EVERY wearing: Evening wear, Cotton laundered shirt, Blouse, Polo Shirt, khakis and light weight dress pants
• Clean at the End of the Season: Coats and other outerwear

Secret Shoppers Give Westbank Dry Cleaning Highest Overall Score in the U.S.

Customer satisfaction is at the heart and soul of Westbank Dry Cleaning. That’s why we are so proud to announce that we were honored with the first-ever YES! Award for “Year of Exceptional Service 2014” at the Clean Show in Atlanta on April 18^th. The award was presented by MarketWise, a national mystery-shopping consulting company.

(Left to right) Westbank’s William Charnes and Stacey Luster receiving the “Yes!” 2014 Award from Carolyn Nankervis, President of MarketWise Consulting Group, Inc.

To be eligible for the YES! Award, all eight of our locations were secretly shopped six times throughout the year. The awards were based on 540 mystery shopper visits at participating cleaners across the nation.

The program consists of an evaluation of the counter person at drop off and pick up, and an overall evaluation of the quality of the cleaning and the customer service experience.
Westbank received the highest overall score in the country across all categories!

We are especially appreciative and proud of our staff for their dedication to a high standard for customer care. The YES! Award is a direct result of their commitment and expertise. When we meet and exceed industry standards, the real credit belongs to them.

Once associated with edgy musicians and bikers, leather comes in so many chic trends this season. Anything from dresses to leggings, vests and outerwear.   You’ll see traditional colors as well as vibrant hues. Here are 10 tips to keep leather clothing looking luxurious, so you can enjoy them for many seasons:

1. Wear a scarf around your neck to keep the collar from being soiled by the oil in your skin.
2. If a leather garment gets wet, blot with a white cloth and dry it out in a cool, dry place on a broad padded hanger. Do not put it in the dryer.
3. Avoid carrying heavy objects like keys or a cell phone in the pockets as this will stretch out the skin.
4. Avoid spraying perfumes or hair spray while wearing.
5. Don’t apply pins or adhesive name badges on leather.
6. Saddle soap is best used on saddles. It shouldn’t be used on leather clothing since it may cause streaking and staining.
7. If an item is wrinkled, you can press it using the coolest setting on your iron, BUT NEVER USE STEAM. Use a heavy brown craft paper as your pressing pad and always do a test spot on an inconspicuous section.
8. Use breathable fabric bags to store leather items. DO NOT store leathers in plastic bags. They can promote a moist environment for mold or mildew to grow.
9. Clean matching garments at the same time since some variation in color may occur.
10. Hang leather garments on padded hangers. Avoid folding items in a drawer to avoid deep wrinkles.

If staining occurs, the garment needs to be cleaned ASAP by a professional leather cleaner. Don’t try to remove it yourself. The danger is you start removing the color, and then it’s harder than ever to get out and restore. And remember that even thought a leather coat may not look dirty; it’s best not to wait more than two seasons to have it professionally cleaned.

It’s a chore that many homeowners miss or don’t know about. Clothes dryer fires start more than 15,000 home fires every year, usually from lint build-up. Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing airflow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, and creating a fire hazard.  These fires can easily be prevented with routine maintenance.

Fire prevention and safety is a cause near and dear to our hearts. FRSTeam by Westbank Dry Cleaning carefully restores items that have been affected by fire or smoke. We care for our customers deeply and understand the emotional and financial stress that can accompany this challenging time. In honor of Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, we’ve gathered 11 safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association

1. Always have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
2. Never use your dryer without a lint filter and always clean the filter before each load of laundry.
3. Check your outdoor vent flap to make sure it opens when the dryer is operating and clean out any debris around the exterior of the flap.
4. Clean the vent hose at least once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry. Consider hiring a professional once a year for a thorough vent cleaning.
5. Steer clear of drying items containing foam, rubber or plastic such as a bathroom rug with a rubber backing.
6. If you have a gas dryer, have a professional inspect it to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
7. Don’t dry items that have come into contact with anything flammable like alcohol, cooking oils or gasoline. Dry them outdoors or in a well-ventilated room, away from heat.
8. Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
9. Never overload your dryer. Overstuffing will not only prevent your clothes from drying properly, it may damage the machine in the long run.
10. Turn your dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.
11. Last but not least, make sure you have working smoke alarms at strategic areas in your home, and check the batteries regularly.

Share your fire safety tips and join the conversation by using the official Fire Prevention Week hashtag, #FPW2014 and following @WestbankATX on Twitter!

FRSTeam by Westbank Dry Cleaning is a specialized fabric restoration company that provides the most effective restoration cleaning available for your clothing and household textiles. We restore clothing, plush toys, shoes, belts, purses, window treatments, bedding, pillows, leather, suede and more. To learn more about FRSTeam by Westbank Dry Cleaning visit westbankdrycleaning.com/services/frsteam-restoration/