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Cleaning your fur coat is not always the easiest thing to do. That is why it's best to leave it to the professionals. In order to remove stains from a natural fur coat, you should not throw your coat in an at-home washing machine. Although, if you have a fresh stain on your fur coat, quickly dab the coat with a clean cloth. Then, use another clean cloth that is slightly damp, to gently blot the stain. Lastly, allow the fur coat to air dry. Be sure to never use stain remover or detergents on fur coats. Let's take a closer look at the important of getting your fur coat cleaned professionally at a dry cleaners.
Every single fur coat especially those made up of all natural fur, must be cleaned professionally at least once or twice a year. It's recommended that this is done during the summer time when the coats are no longer in use. However, if your fur becomes stained and grimy due to excessive use during the winter, clean it once every 6 months to retain its quality and shine! Here at Red Hanger, we partner with fur specialists that have been in business for decades. Winter coats are cleaned in house with earth-friendly materials that strongly disinfect.
People don't normally wear their most loved fur coats during the hot summer months. This is why it's essential to use a 100% cotton bag to store your fur coats in. The cotton bags keeps the dust and dirt from accumulating onto the coats.
Never use a plastic bag because your coat needs air circulation to keep it from drying out and cracking. Plastic bags take the fur coats natural sheen and luster away.
Moreover, never store the fur coat in a closet or chest that is made up of cedar. The oils from the cedar wood will pull moisture from the fur. This will make the coat weak.
In addition, in order to keep moths away, place cedar packets in the pockets of the coat only. Never use mothballs with natural fur. The chemicals in the moth balls may react with the fur's natural oils to create toxic gas.
What do you do if you get caught in the rain or the snow in your fur coat? Simply shake the fur coat to remove as much water as you can. Then, hang the coat until it is dried completely in a well-ventilated room that has air circulation.
Do not use a blow-dryer or any sort of direct heat on to the fur. After, once the fur is dry, in order to the coat fluffy, shake it again. It's important to not brush the fur without having the proper equipment. You can comb through the material with your hands until you acquire the proper equipment to brush your coat.
However, in the unfortunate case if your fur coat happens to get completely soaked with water, it should be taken to a professional cleaner as soon as possible. This way, your fur coat can be treated correctly in the most efficient way in order to prevent shrinkage and keep the coat looking like new.
Remember, leaving jewelry such as a brooch pinned to your coat can mat the fur. When wearing your fur coat, never use a shoulder bag for a consistent period of time. Wearing g a shoulder bag can wear away the fur and leave a bald spot, which is never pretty.
Keep in mind, when you are sitting for a long period, be sure to take your fur coat off to avoid crushing the fur. You can try to remove your coat, and use it like a blanket on your lap. Or, drape it over your shoulders. You can even place your fur coat on the back of your chair to keep the fur from crushing and losing its fullness.
Schedule a professional fur cleaning once or twice a year in order to care for your favorite fur coats in the best way possible As your fur coats are stored away for the hot summer days, they will gradually begin to gather odors, oils, and dust that must be removed in order to avoid damage.
Furs require special chemicals and equipment for cleaning and dyeing. We partner with fur specialists that have been in business for decades. A professional fur cleaner is able to provide fur coat repair, fur restoration, and fur coat alterations. Along with this, a professional will inspect your coat for stains, rips, and tears. Contact Red Hanger today to learn more in detail about our fur cleaning services.
Whether you are a first time buyer of silk bedding or a longtime fan of sleeping on silk, these tips are very helpful to know about before purchasing silk fabric!
Believe it or not, silk has several health benefits that you may have never known about. Let's take a look at a few of them.
Yes, silk outlasts every other natural fabric and has a lifespan on par with polyester. Unlike polyester, silk feels amazing on your skin and is extremely good for your health. That is why it's considered the best fabric!
Charmeuse Silk is the most common type of silk. Silks found in everything from bedding to blouses to dresses. This specific type of silk is very lightweight and has natural elasticity. It is the ideal fabric for use in sheets, blankets, pillow cases and other kinds of bedding fabrics. Also, did you know that charmeuse silk is a cultivated silk? This means that the silk worms which produce it are farmed specifically for their silk.
Mulberry Silk is the highest quality silk available for purchase. Mulberry silk is more refined than other types of silk as it is pure white in color, uniform in texture and made up of individual long fibers. Most mulberry silk is actually charmeuse silk that is cultivated from a special type of silkworm which is fed a very strict diet. The Bombyx mori is the silkworm which produces mulberry silk.
Tussah Silk is produced by tussah silkworms and is usually a very beautiful natural golden shade, but can vary from pale cream to a dark rich brown.
Habotai Silk is another great silk material that is commonly used for making sheets and bedding. Habotai is less expensive in stores but also less durable compared to charmeuse silk.
Dupioni Silk is strong but not ideal for sheets and most bedding. Due to its quality, it does not work as well to maintain temperatures.
The first thing you must do when choosing a silk duvet is consider the season you'll be using it for...winter or summer? Having a different duvet for the winter season and the summer season is highly recommended. Thicker silk duvets are ideal for the cold winter nights as they tend to trap more of your body's natural heat. Thinner duvets on the other hand, are more ideal for summer as they allow more air to cool your body down.
It's true, silk is the perfect fabric for all of the seasons. Your silk pillowcases and bed sheets don't require being switched out from the summer to winter. However, as mentioned above, purchasing a different silk duvet for summer and winter helps if you are either warm or cold throughout the night. Also, purchasing a silk blanket will allow you to feel even warmer.
Along with this, silk is extremely flexible. Silk doesn't bunch up like other fabrics do, which means it provides your entire body with heat. So, your feet are just as insulated and warm as your upper body is.
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat from the heat in your bedding? That's due to most synthetic fibers and other traditional bedding materials. Your sweats trapped inside the bedding and unable to evaporate. So, you end up with a drenched bed sheets that are difficult to fall back asleep in.
Well, silk helps your body retain the natural heat that it produces. Also, silk gives your body an even amount of cooling throughout the night so you do not need to be constantly readjusting in order to be comfortable. Why buy expensive synthetic fabric that will bring in more chemicals to your environment when silk is an all natural fabric?
If you would like to enhance the stay of your guests by making them feel more comfortable all while impressing them at the same time, then purchasing silk bedding is a must. Not only will it feel amazingly comfortable, especially for those who have never slept in silk before, but with all of silk's health and sleep benefits, it will help make your guests feel more relaxed.
In order for your guest bedroom to look perfect, it must portray an elegant look. Along with purchasing a silk bedding set for your guests, you should also purchase a silk blanket for them to use as well. Silk blankets are extremely warm soft and comfortable for a good nights sleep.
Here at Red Hanger, we don't outsource your bedding to a big cleaner who doesn't know your name… we do everything right here with the latest technology in bedding. The wonderful thing about high quality silk material is that it naturally repels dirt, dust and oils that your bedding will accumulate. Silk bedding does not require washing as often as traditional cotton or synthetic fibers. Contact us today to learn more about how we will care for and clean all your silk bedding items.
It's officially summer time! It's time to bring all your summer apparel, including dresses, skirts, rompers and jumpsuits back into your closet. It's important to ensure that your expensive seasonal clothes last until the next summer. The way to do this is by bringing all your summer seasonal garments to a high-quality dry cleaner. Here at Red Hanger, dry cleaning drop off and delivery service is fast, easy and Covid compliant.
It's normal, people tend to sweat a lot more frequently in the summertime. Did you know that your body keeps you cool in the summer by sweating? Summery fabrics such as cotton for example, absorb most sweat keeping you cool and fresh. But sweat that stays on your clothes can cause damage. It's usually not the sweat itself that causes damage, but bacteria. Certain types of bacteria causes bad odors and discoloration. Also, some of the chemicals used in deodorant, such as aluminum, can react with the compounds in sweat, which results in those yellow-colored stains on your summer fabrics
When you get your summer apparel professionally dry cleaned, the dry cleaning process doesn't let the sweat set onto the clothes, preventing discoloration of clothes. It also eliminated sweat odors of clothes, leaving a fresh and fragrant smell.
By dry cleaning your summer garments, you will avoid shrinkage. Imagine putting on your favorite pink colored romper that you love so much, only to realize that it is a lot tighter compared to the last time you wore it. Well, the reason is due to your at-home washing machines. We recommend dry cleaning to avoid shrinkage of your most favorite summer garments. During the manufacturing process, the yarn in the fabric stretches to make the final outfit. When washed with water, the fabric gets wet, and after it dries, it will shrink. Dryers can cause further fabric deterioration. Rompers and jumpsuits also are garments which have elastic waistbands, which can weaken in high levels of heat. Dry cleaning doesn't use water, saving clothes from shrinkage and turning a size smaller.
Even if you think you can wash them at home, certain materials are best left to the professionals. These materials consists of silk, chiffon, lace and other delicate fabrics. These summer apparels usually consists of dresses or wedding-related garments which are usually worn in the summertime. Though you can hand-wash your clothes, only a dry cleaner will know how to remove stains and keep colors bright and crisp without damaging the garment.
Summer is the perfect time for breezy dresses, colorful rompers and floral designed jumpsuits. To give these garments a long life, you can rely on Red Hanger to ensure your summer favorites taken care of in the best way possible by using the best products and latest technology. Contact us today to learn more about our dry cleaning services! And, be sure to read our blog post "What You Should And Shouldn't Dry Clean" to learn more about dry cleaning certain fabrics.
No woman wants to walk around wearing a pair of bad fitting jeans. So, what makes a good pair of jeans, well, good? It's important to understand that not all jeans styles are suited for every single body type. However, purchasing the right pair of jeans will make your body look amazing in every way possible. Let's talk more in depth about what to look out for and be aware of for the next time you're shopping for a new pair of jeans.
Once you are able to have a full understanding of what your specific body type is, the easier it will be to understand what jeans style will fit you best.
A low-rise pair of jeans for example, fall a few inches below your belly button at your hips. If you are a very tall and slender women who is looking to add more feminine curves to your figure, then a low-rise jean can make your hips look curvier, while lengthening your torso to balance out long leg's.
High-rise jeans, also known as high-waist jeans, sit at your natural waist, around your belly button. If your figure is very curvy from the back, then a pair of high-waisted jeans is best for you. Also, if you have an hourglass body shape, then high-waisted jeans are a great fit for you, because they accentuate your narrow waist and help trim more defined looking hip's.
Understanding all the different styles of jeans and wearing specific style jeans that fir your body shape will provide a balance to your body figure so you look amazing!
Did you know that there are over 10 styles of jeans that are specifically designed for women? It can definitely be super difficult and confusing when it comes to understanding what type of jeans style matches your body shape and figure the best. A few different types of jeans include, boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans, straight jeans, bootcut jeans, flare jeans, low rise jeans, high-waist jeans/high-rise jeans and so many more.
It's important to understand your body shape and to pay close attention to jeans that sit low on your hips or high on your waist. If your jeans do not fit right on your hips or waist, then you will most likely never feel comfortable in your jeans. High-waisted jeans are the perfect examples to achieve this specific look. Jeans that fall right on your hips will only make them look more square and flattering.
While darker color jeans make for a more slimmer look, lighter color jeans on the other hand tend to make things naturally look bigger.
If you are someone who is very tall and thin, then a dark washed colored jeans with a light center will allow you to keep your figure and appearance.
However, if you are someone who has a more curvy shaped body, then wearing a dark washed colored jeans with a light center will make extra curves on your body highlighted and doubled in size just by the white wash color going down the center of the jeans.
You know when you are in a store and you hold a pair of jeans up directly in front of your face to get an idea of the size of it? Whenever you do this, the jeans always tend to look bigger than they really are. In order to see if a pair of jeans is going to fit you, a trick that you can do is to wrap the jeans around your neck and by doing this, determine if they are going to fit your waist! If there is any extra slack, then you know the jeans will be big for your waist. If the waistline of the jeans comfortable meets the back of your neck, then the jeans will fit you. If you can't get the jeans to touch around your neck, then you will know that the jeans will be a tight fit around your waist and you can then size up.
Every pair of jeans usually includes a type of plastic that is not a fabric. This plastic is what makes your jeans stretchy and the minute you toss your jeans into the dryer, you will burn right through this plastic. After putting your jeans into the dryer, they are going to look super baggy once you take them out and put them on.
The professionals here at Red Hanger work with the latest technology equipment and have years of experience in order to ensure your jeans will look good as new once properly washed, dried, and maintained. Need to get your jeans and other related clothing garments professionally cleaned? Contact Red Hanger today! We are here to deliver the best possible results for each and every one of your clothing items!
Alexandria's Girly Talk discusses pocket size and location, zipper length and more. This video is super helpful. We hope you like it!
Did you know that there are multiple different tips and tricks that you can follow when it comes to taking care of your sweaters? Sweaters are an amazing clothing garment to keep in your closets, however, they require some effort and maintenance. Sweaters can make you look good but they can also make you look really bad all depending on how care for them.
You know when your favorite sweater starts to develop small, firm balls of lint? These firm balls of lint and fluff are referred to as "Pills."
Pilling occurs when fibers or yarns on your sweater garment tangle, break or mat together, making the overall texture of the sweater very rough and unattractive looking.
Here at Red Hanger, we are able to get your sweaters professionally cleaned, blocked and de-pilled!
Sometimes it can be a bit deceiving when you see ads of sweaters arranged so perfectly on T.V. in bright lighting, or when you walk into a store and see the models in pictures wearing the sweater and making it look amazing. But then, when you put it on it looks big and baggy.
However, something as simple as rolling up the sleeves of your sweater or tucking one side of the sweater in can create asymmetrical hems. This will create a dark and a light aspect which will overall create visual interest. Now, something that was once a plain big sweater is telling a story and giving off a new look and vibe.
Human nature is always drawn to look at things that are interesting to the eye and anytime you wear light and dark shades, it immediately becomes interesting to look at. There are so many different unique ways to style your sweaters so that they can fit your body perfectly and make you look amazing!
The off-the-shoulder look has become so popular due to the fact that when you put the sweater on, it makes you look a little bit smaller in a way since the sweater itself is practically hanging off of you.
There are so many combinations of sweaters that have great texture, color and neckline that are going to look amazing on you and fit your body perfectly.
Not only is it important to take an inventory on what colors look good on you, but what textures as well! The easiest and most effective way to bring your natural beauty center stage is to apply contrast to your look. For example, contrasting your hair texture with your sweaters will make you look amazing!
If you are someone who has dark brown hair, wearing a light sweater will contrast with your hair color. On the other hand, blonde hair contrasts very well with a high pigment sweater and sleek hair looks amazing with a chunky knit sweater.
Going for sweaters that are body conscious can make you stand out and look more flattering to ones eye. Wearing a fitted sweater with a really beautiful and unique detail with a one-shoulder look can throw the symmetry off a bit, making your body look more petite. This is because you are drawing the eye up and away with a one shoulder sweater look.
In order to give your sweaters a longer life, it is important to take good care of them! For starters, allowing your sweaters to be professionally cleaned during the cold and chilly months allows them to undergo the proper care and maintenance that they need!
A sweater that has a professionally clean and polished look with no pilling will allow you to glow and look your best self!
Every woman wants to feel confident and beautiful in the outfits that they wear. Women who look more put-together tend to invest more time and energy into their outfits. When you are well-dressed and put-together, you will immediately feel better about yourself, feel more confident in your skin and glow more. You will overall begin to have a more positive energy, mood and outlook on life.
Fast fashion refers to big name-brand company's who push runway-style clothes through marketing tactics to consumers in a quick manner. It explains the psychological pain that a consumer will experience when looking at a price tag and seeing a high price point. It makes it very hard for consumers to develop a personal style, since styles in fashion are always changing.
Low-quality and cheaply made materials are produced by mass-market retailers in order to bring inexpensive styles to the public in response to the latest trends and styles due to Fast Fashion.
Cost Per Wear refers to the overall cost of an item divided by the amount of times you wear it. This calculation helps you take the inventory of your closet and understand which purchases were smart and beneficial versus which were not. As a result, people can have a better understanding of how to make smart and better purchases in the future and how to not overspend. Eventually, you will begin to own higher-quality items that are more desirable.
By having a capsule wardrobe mentality, you will begin to spend more money on each clothing piece, but will have less items in your closet by a lot. However, each of these high-quality clothing items are bound to last you years!
Strong investments to add to your wardrobe would be:
Monochromatic dressing is a very good tactic to be aware of when it comes to styling. It's the process of bringing the same shade color into an outfit, or sticking to strictly to one color.
This will make you look very expensive and put-together. Eventually it becomes very easy and practical to do if you are someone who enjoys wearing one color such as black, white, gold, or grey.
For example, when wearing a green pair of sweatpants, be sure that your top matches the same exact green shade of the sweats. This tactic allows you to look very cohesive by making your style look seamless and put-together!
Many of your outfits accessories will fall into place if matched correctly. Keeping the same color tones within metals will result in a refined, elegant and fresh look.
People tend to not pay attention towards metals in their garments. However, metal hardware can be found on jeans, handbags, the backs of shoe zippers and of course on jewelry as well.
You will begin to notice that you have buying and wearing habits when you go to add new pieces to your wardrobe. For example, if you are someone who always wears gold, then a bag with gold hardware is a great investment and vice versa with silver. Mixed metals are okay as well, as long as you are wearing a piece that can bring both silver and gold into your outfit! 
Shape-ware, also known as a foundation garment is an undergarment designed to alter the appearance of a woman's body to achieve what some view as a more fashionable figure.
The overall purpose of shape-ware is to allow your body to look more presentable as opposed to enhancing a bodily feature.
There are many types of shape-ware items such as a tank top that is able to smooth out your waist and allows you to look thinner, a pair of spanks which are designed to make your body look very slim and slender and a corset which is a waist trainer designed to shape your body and give you a lots of curves.
No matter what your age or body type is, everyone can benefit from shape-ware in someway shape or form by finding out which works best for your body type!
In order to give your clothing garments a longer life, it is important to take good care of them! For starters, allowing your garment to be professionally cleaned weekly allows them to undergo proper care and maintenance.
It is important to ensure that your clothing garments have no wrinkles. Wrinkles are the first thing that people notice when they look at your outfit. Steamers and irons interact with the fabrics on your garments to loosen the tightened threading, overall removing all wrinkles that are usually caused by washing and drying machines, or by being folded in a drawer for too long. It is important to constantly steam or iron garments that are prone to wrinkles.
Clothes that are clean allow us to feel better and more confident about ourselves! Allow us to help enhance the look of your most-loved garments and keep them clean all year long! Contact us today.
Because the dry cleaning process is different from washing laundry in a regular machine, it’s important to know what pieces of clothing actually need to be dry cleaned and what pieces can just be washed at home.
Sometimes it’s easy to tell which pieces of clothing need to be dry cleaned and which pieces of clothing don’t without even looking at the label. You might be surprised, though, at how many clothing items you would assume don’t need any special care do, and how many you might think need special consideration don’t. That’s why it’s always important to check the label.
If your clothing is missing care labels, you’re not sure whether or not a certain item has to be dry cleaned or not, or think that a certain item really should be dry cleaned, check out our guide. In it, we’ve outlined the things that you should and shouldn’t dry clean.
Not all linen items need to be dry cleaned, but certain items, especially those that are embellished should be taken to the dry cleaner. Linen can be especially difficult to iron and keep smooth so having it washed at the dry cleaner and then properly pressed may be easier than taking the time to do it yourself.
It may be a semi-synthetic fabric, but rayon is not a fabric that should be washed at home. Because dyes can bleed when its washed and because it may lose its shape, shrink, or become misaligned, having rayon pieces of clothing dry cleaned is the best option.
Silk
Because it’s a completely natural and delicate material, silk clothing pieces should be cleaned at the dry cleaner. If not properly cared for, silk can lose its soft feel and “silkiness” as well as its beautiful luster. Having silk pieces dry cleaned can help preserve and protect the fabric.
Wool
It’s fairly common knowledge that washing wool the wrong way will cause it to shrink. Maybe you’ve already learned that the hard way. The best way to ensure that wool clothing pieces retain their proper size and feel is by having them cleaned by the dry cleaner.
Leather
Leather and clothing items can be tricky. Although some stains and soiled spots may be easily cleaned at home, others will not be so easy to manage. By having leather clothing items cleaned at the dry cleaner, you can avoid cracking and damage, preserving your favorite pieces for longer.
Lined Items
Any item with a lining should be taken to the dry cleaner. It’s easy for the lining and outside of a piece of clothing to become separated, making it uncomfortable to wear and even causing it to become misshaped.
Cotton
Be sure to follow the proper care instructions and wash cotton items in the right water temperature. Although they do not need to be cared for at the dry cleaner, cotton clothing items can become misshapen and shrunk if washed the wrong way.
Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex are easy enough to wash at home. It is best to wash them on a delicate cycle and lay them flat or hang them to dry to ensure they stay as good as new, though.
Denim
Because jeans are made to be casual and comfortable, taking them to the dry cleaner isn’t necessary. Most jeans should be able to handle a regular wash cycle and can be thrown in with your weekly loads of laundry.
Cashmere
Believe it or not, cashmere clothing items do not need to be dry cleaned. Be careful when washing this luxurious fabric, though. Cashmere items shouldn’t be thrown in with the regular wash - they need to be washed by hand with a mild detergent in order to preserve their softness and shape.
If you still aren’t sure whether or not you should be dry cleaning a certain clothing item, contact us. We know how important your favorite pieces of clothing are and we want to help you make sure it stays in the best condition possible. That’s why we make it easy for you to take care of your favorite clothing items with little to no hassle!
Cold weather is here, so it may be time for a refresher on how to properly take care of down blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, and jackets. Did you know that good maintenance and storage are essential to prolonging the life of these cozy (and often expensive) items?
Read on to learn about how, why, and when you should clean your down-stuffed items. Plus, learn about DWR material and how to take care of "down alternative" blankets and sleeping bags, too.
If not regularly cleaned, oils and sweat from skin or external exposure will start to damage down feathers, causing them to clump and lose their loft—which is what makes down warm in the first place! Read on to learn about the importance of taking a few simple steps to protect your down items from dirt and moisture.
Snacking in bed? Put a duvet or sheet over your comforter!
At least once a season, you should clean your down jackets, blankets, sleeping bags, etc, even if they’re not visibly dirty. Sweat and oils will eventually cause the material to lose its loft. Additionally, soiled fabric can actually encourage microbes to damage the feathers themselves!
Because down is so tricky to wash, dry-cleaning is always a good option. Some down items can be cleaned in a front-loading washer only. Do NOT use top-loading machines for these delicate items: the agitator in top-loading machines can tear the external fabric or ruin the baffles (internal dividers that keep sections of down in place).
To keep feathers and baffles in good condition, down items should be stored loosely. Don’t store sleeping bags in stuff sacks; rather, you should use the large net bag that usually comes with your purchase. A laundry bag works, too.
Clean comforters can be rolled or folded along baffle lines and kept away from direct sunlight or moisture.
Finally, remember that when it’s time to store your cold-weather items for the season, make sure it’s all completely clean AND dry to protect from feather-loving microbes and mold!
Although it may seem like a lot of work, regularly cleaning and properly storing down-filled items will significantly increase their lifespan.
Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is a fairly new treatment that coats individual down feathers with a water-repelling agent. DWR-treated down can now be found in many sleeping bags and jackets. DWR does help down feathers retain loft in moist environments, but it’s not complete protection.
You still need to protect your DWR down garments from extreme moisture like rain. If you’re skiing or engaging in any of Utah’s other outsole winter activities, make sure you brush any snow off before you head inside! DWR-treated items should be cleaned and stored the same way as regular down.
Fun fact: when you use a down-specific wash for DWR (or take it to the dry cleaner), the water-repellant qualities of the treatment will actually increase!
Synthetic stuffing has a few advantages: it’s generally cheaper, stays warmer if it gets wet, and can be easier to maintain. On the other hand, down alternatives are heavier, not as compressible, and not quite as warm as the real stuff. Although synthetic materials are often simpler to clean, read the label first. Some garments may still be delicate enough to be dry-clean only. Do not use heat or harsh detergents. Just like real down, synthetic-stuffed items should be cleaned before storage and folded loosely, away from direct sunlight or moisture.
The experts at Red Hanger Cleaners have been getting tough stains out of delicate rugs, suits, blouses, and everything else for more than 50 years. Contact us now and schedule a free pickup!
Cool weather is on the horizon, and many of us are switching out our summer dresses for winter wear. Wool is an ancient cold-weather staple, but newer milling techniques mean that we've come a long way from scratchy, rough sweaters socks, and hats. Since high-quality wool garments are often expensive investment pieces, make sure that you know how to properly care for this unique and time-tested fabric! Besides wool itself, the we will also be talking about cashmere and merino. Understand the difference between wool, cashmere, and merino, and learn how proper storage and cleaning will extend the lifetime of these garments .
Although care instructions are somewhat similar for cashmere, merino, and wool, it's important to understand the difference between these materials. Keep in mind that the same storage rules apply to all types of wool (and all other natural-fiber based clothing). Before storing for the season, make sure it's clean and completely dry. This is especially true with wool and silk!
Areas that have odors will not only "set" over time, they will attract moths and other pests as well. Besides making sure items are clean, to be extra-sure that your wool (or cashmere) is protected from pests by storing with mothballs. Tip: cedar chips work too, and have a less distinctive smell. Hang bulky items in zipped garment bags in the closet, or gently fold items and place in a container that provides protection from dust and direct sunlight. If you follow these tips, you should be able to get rid of the pests with no trouble at all. Unfortunately for some people, this isn't the case, especially when you have let the odor linger for too long. And this is when you need to think about finding alternative help. Pest control experts, similar to this one that you can find in New Jersey, (https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/local/new-jersey/) will be able to help get rid of your problem for good. To stop this from happening again in the future, it is important that you follow the necessary precautions so that you don't ever have to see these pests in your home again.
Many people are surprised to learn that cashmere actually comes from a goat native to the high mountains of central Asia. Traders historically referred to this animal as a Kashmir goat, and presumably this is how the "cashmere" name originated. Why is cashmere so expensive? Each cashmere-producing goat can only supply 3-5 oz per year! Besides being extremely soft, high-grade cashmere can be up to 8x as warm per weight as regular sheep's wool. If you see cashmere pieces that have prices that seem too good to be true, beware. There are multiple grades of cashmere yarn. Besides buying your cashmere from a trusted brand, check the label to see if other materials have been added. Pure cashmere is labeled as dry-clean only for a reason. Although special detergents exist to hand-wash cashmere at home, dry cleaning is the most reliable way to clean this luxurious, expensive type of wool.
Merino wool is named after the Merino sheep, which originated in the highlands of Spain and Portugal. These days, New Zealand produces a significant amount of the world's merino wool. Merino is simply a sub-type of "regular" wool, and it's known for being durable and soft. Just like with cashmere, however, it's important to carefully check the source and label of your merino products. There are also multiple "grades" of merino and it is often blended with synthetic materials or other types of natural fiber (including cashmere). Although merino blends are popularly advertised as being easy to care for, extend the life of these garments by hand-washing in cold water and air-drying flat. Washing merino blends in the machine with warm water and/or throwing in the dryer can cause shrinkage and fabric damage, even in merino blends. For expensive or bigger items, dry cleaning is the best way to make sure the fabric lasts.
Although some wool blends have labels that indicate they can be machine-washed, hand-washing or dry cleaning is the best way to prolong the life of wool-containing garments! For cashmere, you should most definitely dry clean. Some merino or regular wool blends can be gently hand-washed and air-dried away from direct sunlight.
Wool coats, sweaters, and other large pieces are often expensive. Make sure you spot-treat any small stains or spills immediately! As we've said throughout this article, the life of expensive investment pieces can be significantly extended by immediately treating stains, dry-cleaning when soiled, and making sure that all items are completely clean before putting away for the season.
The experts at Red Hanger Cleaners have been getting tough stains out of wool sweaters, wool-blend suits, cashmere cardigans, and everything else for more than 50 years. Contact us now and schedule a free pickup!
