COMFORTERS AND QUILTS

Most of us wash our sheets and blankets fairly regularly, but the other stuff—comforters, quilts, and pillows—often don’t fit in our washers, or are made of materials we don’t know what to do with.

Evergreen Dry Cleaners know the best ways to treat these items to make sure they are fresh, clean, and stay in good condition. But if you know exactly what your items are made from, here are some guidelines for at-home care …

PILLOWS

Use two pillowcases, or invest in a high-quality pillow protector—a plain, zippered pillowcase to keep dirt and dust out. Then your pillows won’t need to be washed as often. Memory foam can be damaged by water. Waterproof pillow protectors are available to keep them clean and safe.

Fluff pillows every day to get out dust and keep the stuffing from clumping. Air them outside or by an open window monthly to get rid of odours …

DRAPES AND RUGS

Drapes and area rugs are difficult to clean at home. Most are too delicate—and too large—to go in a regular washing machine. Professional dry cleaners know how to handle these items. To keep them in good condition in-between cleanings, follow these tips.

Drapes and curtains generally have care labels. If it is labelled machine-washable, go ahead, but if it doesn’t fit comfortably in your washer …

TABLE LINENS

Cleaning up after a holiday feast can be especially hard on table linens. Follow this tips to keep yours looking good year after year.

Timely stain removal is important. Take your linens to your dry cleaner as soon as possible.

Candle wax: gently lift off larger pieces. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric …

SWEATERS

Hand-wash your sweaters the proper way!Turn your sweater inside out. This protects the outside surface fibres from pulling. Fill the sink with water (follow care instructions regarding temperature), add a small amount of a good quality detergent and mix it in slightly being careful to avoid creating foam suds.

DO NOT use chlorine bleach on wool because it breaks down the fibre …

WEDDING GOWNS

For many women, a wedding gown is the most important clothing purchase of their lifetime. It is an investment that should be preserved with the best cleaning and storing methods available. No one wants to take chances with something as precious as a wedding gown. These are our expert tips on how to care for your gown so that it stays in perfect condition for years to come.

FIRE DAMAGE

The treatment of a fire-damaged garment or fabric depends on the kind of fire it was in. Wood, plastics, and other materials leave different chemicals in their soot and odours, and may react differently to cleaning treatments. It is best to contact a professional fire restorer or dry cleaner to find out if items can be safely restored, and let the experts handle it. They have special chemicals that remove smoke and soot particles that are not available for home use …

WATER DAMAGE

The success of restoration efforts depends on what kind of water affected the items and how long ago the damage occurred. Waiting more than 72 hours significantly reduces the likelihood that the items can be restored. If you do not have time to wash soiled clothing right away, or if your washing machine / laundry room was also affected …

ECO STYLE

Ecologically-minded fashions are increasingly popular today. While low-maintenance garments like hemp t-shirts can be cleaned at home, upscale designer gowns and suits require special care. Buying Eco-fashions is a great way to reduce your environmental impact, but cleaning them with the toxic chemicals used in traditional dry cleaning garments isn’t. Finding a dry cleaner that uses the Eco friendly method such as K4 …