How to Dry Clean Designer Clothes Like A Pro?

Do you have a wedding dress or tuxedo that cost you a fortune?

Perhaps you own a pair of costly Armani suits? Maybe more if you’re a Wall Street trader! Luxury clothing is a cherished item and people want them treated like royalty. It’s a symbol of your hard work, your status, and your happiness.

Needless to say, you have to handle them with care. And leave them to the professionals. Pick a reputed dry cleaning service in NYC to keep your designer dresses pristine.

While this may come across as an extra cost, it is not an unnecessary one. Designer attire costs a fair bit of money, and it only makes sense to ensure they last a long time. These items are closet classics, and may well turn to heirlooms if maintained right.

So should they just kept in their bags? Of course not. Clothes are meant to enhance your beauty and be admired. But accidents happen, and this is where dry cleaning steps in.

What is dry cleaning?

The nomenclature is correct to some extent. Dry cleaning does not use water at all. However, it is far from a ‘dry’ method, in the true sense of the term. It uses organic solvents (most commonly perchloroethylene) to remove stains. Heat and vacuum are also used to lift those stains.

As strange as it sounds, dry cleaning is actually an incredibly effective method of cleaning high-priced clothes. The chemical solvents it uses are specifically designed to remove stubborn stains along with dirt from the fabric without damaging the fibers.

Even though ‘chemical’ makes it sound harsh, this is actually gentler on delicate fabric than detergent.

Why should you dry clean expensive clothes?

But why should you dry clean that tuxedo that cost you your torso? Simply put, it is made different (the tux, not your torso). Luxury clothing is often made of rare and delicate fibers like refined silk, cashmere, and Egyptian cotton.

Plus, they often have a lot going on the surface and underneath. Embellishments, fine stitching, and delicate embroidery all go into making a luxury garment.

People buy them for the comfort and luxury they provide, not necessarily for their utility. Such clothes are meant to be worn on important occasions, so their robustness is not the priority for designers. These clothes are fragile and thus need to be handled delicately.

How do you take care of your designer items?

Here’s how expensive clothes should be treated when it’s time to clean them:

1. Pre-treat stains

You may be attending a party or a luncheon with your friends or colleagues. You are socializing and engaging in friendly banter with everyone and suddenly the shrimp sauce spills on your dress. What do you do?

It’s going to leave a mark after all. Well, the first order of business is the stain’s pre-treatment.

Should you dab it with water or soda? Check the garment tag. If it says “Dry Clean”, you can get away with this emergency treatment. However, if the tag mentioned “Dry Clean Only”, leave the stain alone. A dry cleaner in NYC is better equipped to deal with it.

Control the stain by dabbing at it with a soft, clean cloth. Don’t rub; rubbing will damage the delicate fibers. If the stain appears stubborn, let it be.

2. Soak when appropriate

If you have a stain, you can soak the garment. Stains caused by dirt and food residues can form strong chemical bonds within the fiber. Soak the entire garment in water for at least a couple of hours. This will allow the stain to break its bonds with the fiber. At any point, do not try to rub off the stain.

The more you wait, the stronger the resistance. And the longer it takes to remove the stain. Do not use detergent at this point, especially if the item is dry clean only. Remember these:

• Soaking expensive clothes inside a small bucket is not a good idea. Make sure you have a wider surface area, like a tub or a large sink.
• Use lukewarm or room-temperature water. Cold water is a strict no as it will shrink the fiber ad result in lumpy drying.
• Let the clothes get soak and dry evenly to retain their shape and structure.

3. Check the label

As we mentioned before, your clothes will tell you how to take care of them. The tags on designer garments give specific cleaning instructions.

Any dry cleaning service in NYC worth its salt will check the label thoroughly before beginning the treatment. And so should you. Deviating from the care instructions will significantly reduce the lifespan, and result in a dress that looks aged beyond its years.

4. Avoid the washing machine

As we mentioned before, expensive clothes use delicate fabrics. And these do not hold up well under the rough and tumble process of a washing machine. Even the gentlest rinse cycle will prove to be too much for most fine fabrics, resulting in loss of structure, snags, and tears (clothes and probably yours).

Dry cleaning is the best cleaning method for premium fabrics like silk, velvet etc. This will retain the color and structure of the garment.

5. Flat air-drying

Drying is the final piece of the puzzle. It has to be done right to ensure you don’t get crease marks, dimples, and unwanted folds in your clothes. It prevents the wrinkling of clothes.

At home, air-drying is your best bet. Some clothes should be laid flat to be dried, and some allowed to dry on a hanger, letting the natural airflow do all the work. You just need to ensure that the entire piece is dried evenly to ensure there are no lumps or creases.

6. Take it to the cleaners

Now that you have done what needs to be done, it is time to take your clothes to the dry cleaners. Leave it to the professionals to take care of the spots and stains. Keep it carefully folded in the bag it came in when the cleaners pick it up.

On The Go Cleaners: Masters of delicate washing and quick delivery

On The Go Cleaners is the best dry cleaning service NYC, known for its expert handling and timely delivery of expensive clothes.

We have high-end dry cleaning machines to treat clothes with the utmost care. Our dry cleaning services are renowned across lower Manhattan and other parts of the city.

Here’s how you can book our services:

1. Download our app.
2. Register yourself on the app by creating a free account.
3. Select your pickup/delivery time on the app. Opt for laundry or dry cleaning and give any specific instructions if applicable.
4. Our pickup agent will come to your door and collect your laundry.
5. We’ll clean your clothes gently, steam them, and iron/press them before delivering.

Key Takeaway

On The Go Cleaners is a highly experienced dry cleaning service with excellent credentials and flawless output. Our track record in dealing with expensive clothes has been exceptional. It has made us a trusted brand in New York City.

We treat every clothing item with respect and make sure it goes back looking fresh and new. It’ll feel like the clothes are bought brand-new from the store! Our specialty lies in quick service delivery. We understand the importance of quick dry cleaning service in a city like New York and delivering results on time and every time.