Our most common questions, answered!

1. Does frequent drycleaning shorten the life of a garment?
   A. To the contrary, frequent cleaning extends 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. If that isn’t enough of a reason to continue dry cleaning, insects are attracted to soiled clothes and will cause further damage if garments aren’t properly cared for.
2. When a garment’s label says “washable,” does this mean it cannot be drycleaned?
   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, just let us know.
3. Are suede and leather cleaned the same way as other fabrics?
   A. No. Special procedures on leathers to help retain color and texture. Sometimes suedes and leather are redyed to replace color loss. It is not always possible to replace or match the colors.
4. Does drycleaning shrink clothes?
   A. Usually not. The dry cleaning process is carefully controlled and maintained by professionals.
5. 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.
6. Is it safe to wetclean a garment with “Dryclean Only” care instructions?
   A. Sometimes it may be safe to wetclean a garment that is labeled Dryclean only. When determining if a garment can be safely wetcleaned, our trained staff will look at the fiber content, fabric construction, colorfastness, trims, and other components such as interfacings and linings to determine the best cleaning method.
7. Can a drycleaner prevent dye bleeding or fading of a fabric?
   A. No, manufacturers must thoroughly test the dyes to make sure they are colorfast to both solvent and/or water.

Is dry cleaning and laundry still a mystery to you? Send us your questions at vip@antons.com