How Shirts Are Professionally Laundered

When we professionally launder or dry clean your shirts, you can rest assured they will come back to you crisp and clean.  We inspect every shirt prior to cleaning and sort it based on color and material composition.  Any shirts with stains or dirty collars are pre-spotted prior to laundering.  Our process involves laundering shirts using our premium detergent to keep colors from fading.  We then use a shirt press that looks similar to a mannequin to press the body of the shirt as well as the cuffs and collars.  Lastly, we inspect every shirt to replace any loose & broken buttons or iron out any wrinkles we missed the first time through.

To starch or not to starch?

The preference for starch really depends on the you.  Starch is added to the washer when shirts are laundered.  Shirts that are 100% cotton hold starch best.  When there’s a blended fabric such as 60% cotton and 40% polyester, those shirts are unable to “hold” the starch as well and may feel unstarched, even though they’ve been treated with starch.
Starch adds stiffness to your shirts.  Many people like the crisp look that starch give their clothes.  The downside of starch is that it shortens a shirt’s lifespan since it weakens the fibers of the shirt and buttons causing them to crack more easily.  The other concern is that shirts wrinkle more readily when they are starched.
 
Shirt lifespan

The typical men’s dress shirt is meant to last about 52 washes (which is usually the equivalent to wearing the shirt every other week for 2 years).  Depending on the fabric, weave construction, and your starch preference, this number could be longer or shorter.  If you look at your cuffs and collar and notice small tears, it’s probably time to purchase a new shirt.  Oftentimes, we see older shirts with “dry rot.”  This occurs when the fabric is weakened from wear and the agitation in the cleaning process causes the shirt to tear.  We can tell when a shirt is dry rotted because when you pull slightly on a tear it rips very easily.

Using a professional shirt service is the best way to save yourself time.  The final product of a professionally laundered shirt cannot be compared to home ironing.  Give it a try and see the difference!

 

9 Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Clothing

 

We know how much your clothing means to you.  Our customers have spent top dollar on their garments and often ask us how they can make them last. At some point, even the best made pieces will begin to pill or deteriorate but with a few little tricks you can extend a garments’ life.  We put together some tips to be sure your clothing lasts as long as possible.  

1). All items, even those worn only a handful of times should be professionally cleaned before seasonal storage.  Bacteria can grow on garments that have not been cleaned and can attract hungry larvae.

2). Clean a stained item as soon as possible.  Permanent fabric bonding can occur after a few days which sets the stain.  Once a stain is set, there is no guarantee that it can be professionally removed.

3). Beware of “invisible stains.”  When clothes have been exposed to perspiration, perfume, alcohol, soda or sugar from food or drinks, they should be cleaned right away.  Invisible stains will dry clear but if hung back up and allowed to set they will eventually re-appear as bleached and darkened splotches, many times after cleaning.

4). Cigarette smoke lingers in fabrics and can cause yellow discoloring if not cleaned.

5). Never try to remove a spot from a tie or pocket square.  Because they are cut on the bias, even a small amount of rubbing will cause them to twist and stretch out of shape.

6). Apply cologne and perfume and let it completely dry before getting dressed to prevent your garments from being “bleached” by the alcohol they contain.

7). Wearing a scarf under a leather jacket, or any jacket for that matter, prevents soils and oils from creating a shiny, slick sheen around the neck.

8). Folding sweaters and rolling linens helps them last longer.  Knits  will stretch and fray on the hanger especially at the shoulders.  Hanging or folding linens will create permanent creases and wrinkles.

9). Clothes will look newer for longer when stored away from natural light, in a cool, dry place.  Extreme temperatures will attract insects and hurt fibers.  Avoid mothballs and try cedar and lavender instead.  

We know your clothes are important to you because they’re important to us too.  These are some of our best tips to keep your clothing in great shape for years to come.  Unfortunately, garments won’t last forever but with proper care, you can give them their maximum life expectancy.

How To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

 

We know how much your clothing means to you.  Our customers have spent top dollar on their garments and often ask us how they can make them last. At some point, even the best made pieces will begin to pill or deteriorate but with a few little tricks you can extend a garments’ life.  We put together some tips to be sure your clothing lasts as long as possible.  

1). All items, even those worn only a handful of times should be professionally cleaned before seasonal storage.  Bacteria can grow on garments that have not been cleaned and can attract hungry larvae.

2). Clean a stained item as soon as possible.  Permanent fabric bonding can occur after a few days which sets the stain.  Once a stain is set, there is no guarantee that it can be professionally removed.

3). Beware of “invisible stains.”  When clothes have been exposed to perspiration, perfume, alcohol, soda or sugar from food or drinks, they should be cleaned right away.  Invisible stains will dry clear but if hung back up and allowed to set they will eventually re-appear as bleached and darkened splotches, many times after cleaning.

4). Cigarette smoke lingers in fabrics and can cause yellow discoloring if not cleaned.

5). Never try to remove a spot from a tie or pocket square.  Because they are cut on the bias, even a small amount of rubbing will cause them to twist and stretch out of shape.

6). Apply cologne and perfume and let it completely dry before getting dressed to prevent your garments from being “bleached” by the alcohol they contain.

7). Wearing a scarf under a leather jacket, or any jacket for that matter, prevents soils and oils from creating a shiny, slick sheen around the neck.

8). Folding sweaters and rolling linens helps them last longer.  Knits  will stretch and fray on the hanger especially at the shoulders.  Hanging or folding linens will create permanent creases and wrinkles.

9). Clothes will look newer for longer when stored away from natural light, in a cool, dry place.  Extreme temperatures will attract insects and hurt fibers.  Avoid mothballs and try cedar and lavender instead.  

We know your clothes are important to you because they’re important to us too.  These are some of our best tips to keep your clothing in great shape for years to come.  Unfortunately, garments won’t last forever but with proper care, you can give them their maximum life expectancy.

Dressing For The Occassion

With Spring and party season right around the corner we wanted to give some advice on how to dress for any occasion.  Wording on invitations can be confusing, so we broke it down for you!

Black Tie

This is the dressiest of dressy.  It calls for a tea or floor-length gown.  Typically it’s only called for at very formal weddings, charity galas, or award ceremonies.  Choose dramatic jewelry to go with your gown but be wary of low necklines and high slits in gowns.  Choose a bedazzled clutch to finish off your ensemble.  Look for gowns in satin, taffeta or heavily beaded to really make a statement. 

For men, this means a tuxedo with a black bow tie. 

Cocktail

This is a semi-formal event typically associated with a wedding, engagement party or fundraiser.  Look to rich fabrics such as lace, chiffon and silk for these events.  Cocktail attire is what the “Little Black Dress” is all about but you can choose other colors too.  Make sure your hemline isn’t too short use the fingertip rule (your dress hem goes past your finger tips) or it’ll look like your on your way to the club.  Definitely go for gorgeous footwear with metallic or jeweled finishes. 

For men, think dark suit that’s well fitted.  Stick to a light shirt, dark tie and shined dress shoes. 

Festive

This is typical of holiday parties and birthday get togethers.  Think bold, color and sparkle to show you’re ready to party.  Go for ‘bling ‘ with a vibrant dress.  If it’s freezing outside, dark tights can look adorable with the right dress.  Go for blinged out shoes to finish off the outfit (think red and/or sparkly). 

For men,  this is a playful party so go for a classic suit jacket with a fun tie.  You can also opt for a pullover sweater with a dress shirt and tie underneath if you don’t want to go with the blazer.

Dressy Resort

This is normal for a beach or destination wedding.  Opt for a long maxi-dress or a flowy sundress.

Definitely go with a fun beachy color in turquoise, pink, yellow, or orange.  For shoes, ditch the heels and look for a pair of fun wedges or bedazzled flip flops.  Bright jewelry will look gorgeous too or even a flower tucked in your hair.  

For men, choose a light colored linen suit or silk shirt.  Go for loafers for your footwear.

Business Attire

This is typical of office parties, networking events, company dinners, etc.  Look for a simple suit or classic dress. This isn’t a time to be trendy so go for understated jewelry and a neutral purse.  You can spiff up your outfit with a pop of color but don’t go overboard.  Keep your hemline and neckline very conservative.

For men, a gray or navy suit or sportcoat works best (black suits are too formal). 

Casual Chic

This a dress up/dress down hybrid and is normally a daytime function like a bridal or baby shower.  Pair a dress down piece (a pair of dark jeans) with a dressed up blouse.  You can even go with a casual blazer.  If it’s a dinn er party, go with a bold print and fun accessories to dress up your look. 

For men, opt for a date night look.  No suits or ties rather choose a fitted oxford shirt with chinos or dark denim.

As you are

This is normal attire for BBQ’s, kids birthday parties or neighborhood get-togethers.  This doesn’t mean come in your sweat pants.  Put on a little make-up and choose capris with a informal shirt.  Steer away from gym clothes like t-shirts and yoga pants.  This is when you can do a jersey dress or a cute v-neck top. 

For men, just wear something clean, in good condition, and unwrinkled and you’ll be set!  Again, stay away from gym clothes.

***When you’re not sure, take a look at your invitation.  Determine how formal the invite is based on the font, paperstock and wording.  If you’re still not sure ask friend who’s going what they’re wearing or think about the location and imagine how people would be dressed.  Note the time.  A later start time for an event indicates it’s more dressy than an afternoon one.  Lastly, think about the theme.  An event in a church calls for more modest attire than a backyard wedding.

 

Does Frequent Dry Cleaning Shorten the Life of Garments

One common myth is that “Frequent Dry Cleaning Shortens the Life of a Garment.”  Simply put, this isn’t true. Frequent cleaning actually prolongs the life of a garment.  Here’s why:

Not only do stains set with age making them more difficult to remove, but ground-in dirt, soil and dust actually acts like sandpaper on your clothes.  Those little particles act as an abrasive and wear down the fibers on your clothing.  Additionally, insects are attracted to stains and soil in clothing increasing your risk of insect damage because larva will actually feed on those fibers (Yuck!). 


We’re not just saying this because we’re in the dry cleaning biz.  Research was conducted by the Department of Clothing & Textiles at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  The research showed that the dry cleaning process has absolutely no effect on the properties of wool in mens suiting fabrics. 

Sometimes we hear the “chemicals” used in dry cleaning are too aggressive and break down clothing.  The majority of cleaners in the United States use perc which is an aggressive cleaner but still does not deteriorate clothing fibers.  At Balfurd, we use K4 which is an even gentler cleaning processes than perc.  It’s actually made out of corn!

Some customers say they don’t clean their garments, they only get them pressed at the advice of a clothing store where they purchased the item.  This is especially detrimental to your clothing because heat permanently sets stains and grinds dirt even further into clothing causing more abrasion.  If a clothing manufacturer doesn’t recommend cleaning their garments than they are not making their garments correctly.  A well-made garment has no problem withstanding normal cleaning procedures.

You have absolutely nothing to fear when dry cleaning your clothing. Dry cleaning will help to extend the life of your clothing so you can get the most use out of your wardrobe.  Have a question about dry cleaning?  We are State College’s dry cleaning experts!  Contact us and we’d be happy to help!

How Frequently Should I Dry Clean My Clothing

A very common question we receive is, “How frequently should I dry clean my clothes?”  Being the dry cleaning expert in State College, we’re here to help answer that for you!  Although it’s not essential to dry clean every item, with every wear, there are certain situations that warrant a cleaning.


Anytime a garment comes into direct contact with your perfume, deodorant, sweat, salt stains (as in wintertime salt) or has any type of stain, it should be cleaned ASAP.  Some of these stains start out as invisible, but over time they disrupt the fibers in your clothing and can cause color changes.  The longer the stain stays on the fabric, the harder it is to remove.  It’s as simple as that!
During normal wear, clothing is exposed to various environmental conditions.  Air pollution and dust weaken fibers.  They act as an abrasive agent and will wear down fibers if it’s not removed from time to time.  To extend a garment’s life, it’s essential to remove them.  Certain fibers are more prone to “wearing out” than others.  For example, we recommend silks and linens be cleaned with every wear if they come into contact with your skin (like a blouse).

 
A linen blazer worn over a top may only need dry cleaned with every 3rd wear because it’s not being directly exposed to your skin and sweat. Or a typical suit may only need cleaning every 2 or 3 wears depending on the situation you’re wearing it in.  
We ALWAYS recommend that you clean clothing before storing it for the season.  Garments that are stored without cleaning are covered in skin flakes (gross, right?) and they attract bugs and have a higher chance to discolor and will be unpacked with stains.

If you ever have ANY questions, please feel free to call us!  We’ve been in business for 88 years and we’re State College’s textile experts and we’re here to help!

The Best Time of Year to Clean Your Clothing

Did you know there are specific times of the year that are better to clean your garments and household items?  We get this question from many customers and wanted to address this query.  Here’s a quick reference guide to help:


Stained Garments: ASAP!  The sooner you can get a stained garment in for cleaning, the better.  Over time, stains can permanently alter the fibers of a garment or pull it’s color making them impossible to remove. This can include any garments stained by food or even pant legs stained with salt from the winter.  If the garment can be laundered, try washing it at home but don’t dry it.  Take a look and see if the stains are gone.  If they are, go ahead and dry it, if not, bring it to your dry cleaner for professional help.


Coats: Springtime.  This includes, wool, leather, and suede.  These items  should be cleaned in the spring when you’re done wearing them but before they’re stored for the season.  Food, perspiration, and dander are favorite foods of moths, carpet beetles, and silverfish so it’s important to remove all stains.  Plus those stains can set over the hot summer months making them difficult to remove later.


Sweaters: Springtime, same as coats above.  It’s important to make sure they are cleaned to remove stains before they are packed away for the season.  We see so many sweaters with insect damage which can be preventable.  (Don’t use moth balls, the odor can be virtually impossible to remove, even for us!). Also make stored folded and not hanging as this can stretch them out in combination with the humidity.


Uggs: Springtime. Like stained garments, Uggs accumulate salt stains which can permanently change their color.  Have them before you’re ready to put them away for the season.


Rugs: Early summer.  Although winter may have made your rugs a mess, spring can be muddy too!  Wait until the April/May showers are done to clean your rug so you’re not messing it up right away again.  Vacuuming only removes the top layer of dirt.  An annual cleaning will extend the life of your rug and make sure you remove all the ground in dirt and salt.


Comforters/Spreads: At least twice a year.  Most people opt to clean their comforters once each season but may skip winter so they have them during the cold months.  Others do a monthly cleaning.  A lot depends on if you have pets sleeping in your bed and what other covers you may use.  A professional cleaning will help kill any dust mites and remove skin flakes that accumulate while you’re sleeping.

Any other items can be cleaned as needed.  Have a garment question?  We’re happy to help!

Best Fit: State College Seamstress and Tailor

Do you ever wonder how some people look AMAZING in their clothing?  They may be wearing the same jacket or pants as you are but they somehow look better in it?  More than likely they use a tailor so that their clothing is tailored to fit their body perfectly.

None of us are a standard size.  Some of us are size 8 and tall, or short, or with large hips or narrow shoulders.  So how can so many people fit into one size?  They can’t.  That’s why some garments look better on certain people depending on their body shape.  But there is a way to even the playing field and that’s through professional tailoring.  

Not every garment you wear needs to be tailored but it’s recommended for suits and other professional clothing that’s supposed to be fitted. So what do you do?  Always buy an item so that it fits the largest part of you; whether that’s hips, chest or shoulders.  It’s much easier (and cheaper) to take in items than let them out, so don’t avoid purchasing garments that are snug.  Ill-fitting garments make you look sloppy and bigger than you actually are, regardless of whether they’re too big or too small.  The best part is, if you find a great deal on a sale rack, you can purchase the piece knowing there’s only a small additional investment to get it fitted to you!

Remember, a professional and reputable tailor will know how to measure and fit you.  We have 2 amazing full-time tailors with over 60 years of combined experience at our Beaver Ave location.  Lisa, Caitlyn and Sunhee can do all of your standard tailoring but have also created custom draperies, dresses and worked extensively in bridal.   Call  today 814.237.8066 to schedule an appointment!

Caring for Sweaters Do’s & Don’ts

Fall is here!

Pumpkin spiced lattes, beautiful Fall foliage, and most importantly, it’s cozy SWEATER SEASON! We sure love a warm, comfy sweater but knitwear is fragile and easy to damage if not cared for properly. In order to keep your sweaters looking great, we’ve put together a list of 8 tips to keep your sweaters in pristine condition.

Here are the 8 Sweater Do’s & Don’ts:

  1. Don’t push up the sleeves! Once or twice may be ok but eventually, the fibers will be damaged to the extent that it can’t be fixed and you’ll only be able to wear it with a pushed up look. On a cold day, that just won’t work.
  2. Do remove your sweaters gently. Take care not to stretch the neck out when putting sweaters on and taking them off.
  3. Don’t wear heavy weight brooches or pins. They’ll pull on the delicate threads and stretch out a specific area. 
  4. Don’t put away a sweater with a pin still attached. If you decide to wear a pin, take it off as soon as possible once you return home.
  5. Do be aware of your accessories. Handbags, belts and large necklaces can be a source of abrasion that can cause pilling and fibers to break.
  6. Don’t  stick an adhesive name tag on. This causes pulls and pilling on your knits.
  7. Don’t hang your sweaters up by the shoulders. Sweaters should be folded over a hanger or stored in a drawer.
  8. Do keep your sweaters clean. Moths, silverfish and other bugs are attracted to stains, old perspiration and dander left on sweaters. To keep moth holes at bay, clean them ever few wears and especially clean them prior to long-term storage.

Most of all, use common sense and good judgment.  As a professioal cleaner, we can typically reverse most damage through reweaving, blocking and de-pilling but that should be a last resort.

How Dirty Is Your Bedding?

Have you noticed your baseboards lately? We have…we are having to clean them more frequently because we have so much more foot traffic in our homes! So what does the dirt on your baseboard have to do with your bedding? Everything! With so many more people working from home, doing online school and just being in the house, just like the rest of your home, your bedding is dirtier than ever. 

Sometimes we forget about our household bedding. They blend into our homes so much they become a part of the scenery. These items collect dust and dirt and can become damaged, faded or discolored in their inactivity. Since we see them everyday, gradual changes come about without our noticing.

Trained fabric care professionals like us have the knowledge and equipment to care for your household items so you can enjoy them for many years.

Here are some tips you can use to get the most out your household items:

Comforters

Comforters collect germs, sweat, pet hair/pet dander and allergens on a nightly basis. We recommend cleaning your comforter 4x a year BUT if your pet or kids sleep with you, clean them at least every other month. 

Tired of trying to stuff your comforter in your home washer and knowing it didn’t get clean? We can process your comforters and quilts to get the dust and grime out of them safely. Our commercial washers can use a higher temperature to kill all bacteria without damaging your fabrics.

Handmade quilts are especially susceptible to dye bleeding when they are cleaned since the fabric components of the quilt vary. We test quilts to ensure no bleeding will ruin it.

Blankets/Throw Blankets

Blankets are available in many fibers and construction types, including wool, cotton, acrylic, polyester, and polyurethane. A blanket’s construction plays a direct role in its thermal qualities and should be cleaned to protect its ability to contain heat. 

Think how often your throw blankets are used during the fall and winter. Now, how often do you clean them? It’s essential to keep those items clean and free of dust and allergens.

Again, blankets should be cleaned 4x/year (or more). Our team is skilled in the methods of cleaning blankets to preserve their heat-retaining qualities and appearance.

Duvet Covers

Duvet covers are easier to take off your comforter and clean. Again, 4x a year should suffice unless you have pets and kids in your bed. The problem with duvets is that they’re typically a wrinkled mess once you pull them out of the dryer. So you have to iron them…which takes a long time! Additionally, duvet cover manufacturers ask that people account for 5%-8% shrinkage in cleaning which means it might not fit your comforter.

We can safely clean and press your duvet so it looks perfect on your bed.

Let us help! We know you don’t have time to be washing, drying and ironing your bedding. Send your bedding in for a professional cleaning and simply put them back on the bed when you do. We will even pick up your bedding and deliver it back to your front door. It will save you so much time and give you peace of mind that you’re keeping your household clean for your family.