Thank you for allowing me to serve, markpressed4time.com 757-825-1447

Thank you for allowing me to serve, markpressed4time.com 757-825-1447

Bless you and your family.

Thank you for allowing me to serve, markpressed4time.com . . . → Read More: Merry Christmas]]> My family and I at Pressed4Time would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Remember what this season is all about. We celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ birth.

Bless you and your family.

Thank you for allowing me to serve,
markpressed4time.com
757-825-1447

Source: Wall Street Journal By Ray A. Smith ray.smith@wsj.com

The New Dirt On Dry Cleaners

You drop your most cherished clothes at the dry cleaner, and they’re ticketed, thrown into a massive pile of garments and whisked away.

To most consumers, what takes place behind the counter, where imposing machines rumble . . . → Read More: EPA Regulations Set The Future Of Dry Cleaning]]>

EPA Regulations Shape The Future Of Dry Cleaning

Source: Wall Street Journal
By Ray A. Smith
ray.smith@wsj.com

The New Dirt On Dry Cleaners

You drop your most cherished clothes at the dry cleaner, and they’re ticketed, thrown into a massive pile of garments and whisked away.

To most consumers, what takes place behind the counter, where imposing machines rumble and steam hisses, is a mystery. What exactly goes on back there? Other common questions: Why do women’s shirts often cost more to clean than men’s, and why do only some stains come out?

Adding to the confusion is a transition that is already shaking up the dry-cleaning industry. Many dry cleaners will be required to find new solvents to replace a widely used cleaning agent called perchloroethylene, or perc, by 2020. As a result, businesses are using a growing array of new methods to clean garments. Procter & Gamble Co. recently launched Tide Dry Cleaners, a chain of stores that use an alternative product, based on silicone and called GreenEarth.

The result, for many people, is uncertainty. “I find myself looking at tags more to see if I can wash it,” says Alli Webb, the West Hollywood, Calif., co-founder of Drybar, a chain of blowout hair salons. She says she is nervous about chemicals and sometimes will drive farther to a cleaner that promotes itself as eco-friendly.

The shakeup is coming to an industry that has changed little for decades. While the Frenchman credited with inventing dry cleaning started with turpentine, perc has been used since the 1930s to clean clothes, and about 80% of cleaners still rely on it. Like turpentine—and benzene, kerosene and gasoline, which were also tried in the early years—perc is good at dissolving oil-based stains. It is pumped into a supersized washing machine to flush dirt from the clothes.

Stubborn stains from difficult-to-remove substances, such as ink, wine and mustard, are attacked by hand with chemicals that target particular substances. Bruce Barish, owner of New York City’s Ernest Winzer Cleaners, cites balsamic vinaigrette as “very hard to get out.” It’s a mix of both water-based and oily stains with a dark dye that is hard to remove—especially since most customers accidentally rub it in.

The quality and service vary, in part because most dry cleaners are independently owned. There are 24,124 dry-cleaning and non-coin-operated laundry establishments in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau.

But certain things hold true across the industry. In a 2009 study that examined 50 randomly selected dry cleaners, New York-based Floyd Advisory LLC found that women paid an average of 73% more than men for laundered shirts. Dry cleaners surveyed say women’s shirts don’t fit in their industrial presses as well as men’s and must be ironed by hand.

Last year, market-research firm Mintel International found that 75% of women who had gone clothes-shopping in the past 12 months said they avoided buying clothes that required dry cleaning.

Indeed, it is customers’ low opinion of dry cleaning, in part, that sparked P&G’s new venture, the company says. P&G research found that a large percentage of consumers were generally dissatisfied with their dry cleaning, says Ross H. Holthouse, a spokesman for the consumer-product maker’s FutureWorks division. “They felt the stores were dark and that they walked into a black box and didn’t know what was happening,” he says.

Tide Dry Cleaners stores, which use the branding of Tide laundry detergent, have valets that carry clothes to and from customers’ cars, lockers with customized passwords where consumers can drop off or pick up clothes after hours, and bar codes that keep track of customers’ data, including preferences. The company made sure the stores were bright and open, with the machines visible, Mr. Holthouse says. After starting with three test stores in Kansas City, Kan., the company opened the first Tide Dry Cleaner in Mason, Ohio, last fall, and two more Ohio stores opened in July. The company says it could have several hundred locations in a couple of years.

P&G is also one of a growing number of businesses to use a cleaning substance other than perc. It uses P&G products such as Tide as well as perc alternative GreenEarth.

The Environmental Protection Agency has classified perc as a toxic air pollutant and potential human carcinogen. While the EPA mandated that cleaning businesses located in residential buildings phase out perc by the end of 2020, some states, including California, Illinois and New Jersey, have sought to end its use sooner and more broadly.

As a result, alternative solvents have come on the market, claiming to clean just as well but with less harm to humans and the environment. Among the most popular are hydrocarbon, GreenEarth and a water-and-detergent method known as wet cleaning. The EPA hasn’t issued policy rulings on these substances, and dry cleaners aren’t required to say what they use.

Some in the industry say the environmental concerns over perc have been overblown. Alan Spielvogel, director of technical services at the National Cleaners Association, a trade group, says the industry has taken steps over the years to reduce perc pollution, primarily by installing advanced machines. What’s more, he’s not convinced that the alternatives clean as well.

About 60 dry cleaners in the U.S. use SystemK4, a new dry-cleaning solution made by Kreussler Inc. Alex Shvartshteyn, owner of London Cleaners in Cleveland, switched from GreenEarth to SystemK4 earlier this year and prefers the latter.

Kreussler wouldn’t disclose the chemical makeup of SystemK4, but it says the product leaves clothes softer and fresher-smelling than perc. “It won’t beat up the clothes as much as perc,” says Richard Fitzpatrick, vice president at Kreussler.

Read the full article here on Wall Street Journal.

This is an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal especially from the stand point of shining light on some dry cleaners practices and operations. The fact remains that dry cleaners are necessary, some articles of clothing need to be cleaned by a professional, and finding a reputable cleaner is important. As EPA regulations continue to change and evolve it will force us as dry cleaners to remain responsible to our customers and our clients. For more information on your local dry cleaners contact Mark Pressed4Time.

image credit: LOLren on flickr

Source: Gulf News By Hina Navin www.gulfnews.com

Let the shoes do the talking

Your footwear can reveal a lot more about your personality than you think

Flats

What they say about you: Comfort-seeking, practical and flexible

When and how to wear them:

•With turned-up jeans, cords and trousers.

•Think classic . . . → Read More: Women’s Dress Shoes – When To Wear Dress Shoes And How To Take Care Of Dress Shoes]]>

Women's Dress Shoes - When TO Wear Them And How To Take Care Of Them

Source: Gulf News
By Hina Navin
www.gulfnews.com

Let the shoes do the talking

Your footwear can reveal a lot more about your personality than you think

Flats

What they say about you: Comfort-seeking, practical and flexible

When and how to wear them:

•With turned-up jeans, cords and trousers.

•Think classic Chanel pump. Ideal for rushing to last-minute business meetings, and for weekend getaways or family get-togethers.

•Have a pair of sandals in gold, silver and a pastel shade.

•If you have a high instep, avoid flats. Get arch support insteps to help you when pounding the pavements on shopping sprees.

How to take care of them:

If shoes are dirty, clean them first with saddle soap or a leather cleaner. Use a shoe conditioner (available at most shoe shops) on frequently worn leather shoes to replace oils and help the leather retain its suppleness. Wait for the conditioner to dry before you polish.

Kitten heels

What they say about you: Conservative, feminine and unimposing

When and how to wear them:

•With cropped trousers and office suits.

•Never with super-short skirts.

•For casual occasions.

•When going dancing or if you need to be on your feet for many hours.

How to take care of them:

When it comes to polish, wax is most effective at covering scuffs, but cream or paste polish is better at keeping leather moist and flexible. Avoid liquid polish because it can dry and crack the leather.

High heels

What they say about you: Extremely feminine, fashionable and ambitious

When and how to wear them:

•With party dresses; they match almost all hemlines.

•For power meetings, paired with knee-length skirts.

•If you have heavy legs, go for tall wedges or sandals with heels; they help balance the weight of the legs.

•Shop for heels at the end of the day when the foot is slightly swollen. This will ensure you choose the best fit.

•If you have short legs, avoid ankle straps as they break the leg line.

How to take care of them:

High heels wear down faster than flats. If the thickness of the sole has worn down by half, it’s time to resole or replace. The heel also wears down quickly, so as soon as you start to see the nail poke through, get the shoes reheeled.

Patterns

What they say about you: Fashion fanatic

When and how to wear them:

•With patterned clothes, for the truly daring.

•With muted, block coloured or natural-toned dresses to let the shoes do the talking.

•With denims, for a vintage look.

•With girly patterned dresses or flowery prints.

•There is such a thing as too much animal print, so keep it subtle.

How to take care of them:

With patterned shoes (snakeskin, fabric or other material), it is absolutely important not to go near anything that could cause damage, like water, heat and grime as the pattern can be affected. Also, as a general rule with fancy shoes, remember, kicking them is off is never a good idea. Always ease them off your feet gently.

Bright colours

What they say about you: Adventurous, fast-paced and experimental

When and how to wear them:

•With your little black dress.

•Choose colours in different materials: velvet, canvas, faux fur and the like.

•Pick purples, yellows and oranges. These colours make your feet look ‘happy’.

•With crisp white pure summer chic.

•To match your accessories or contrast with monochrome dresses.

How to take care of them:

Box them up. Store shoes you don’t wear often in their original box or another container to keep them from getting crushed and collecting dust.

Travel with care. Put shoes in a flannel shoe bag and use shoe trees to keep them from getting crushed and scuffed in your suitcase.

Read the full article here on Gulf News.

Dress shoes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Protecting and preserving your shoes will prolong your investment in your wardrobe. If you should stain a pair of shoes make sure you clean them properly. If you are not sure what is the right way to clean your shoes, contact Mark Pressed4Time today.

image credit: jdeeringdavis on flickr

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch By Consumer Reports www.consumerreports.com

Consumer Reports: The dirt on stain treatments

Stained clothing can be a bummer, but are there products that can remove even the nastiest grime? Consumer Reports recently tested stain treatments applied before laundering, and found a couple that worked well on a variety of stains. Each stain . . . → Read More: Consumer Reports Ranks The Best Stain Treatments]]>

Consumer Reports Rates the Best Stain Remover

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
By Consumer Reports
www.consumerreports.com

Consumer Reports: The dirt on stain treatments

Stained clothing can be a bummer, but are there products that can remove even the nastiest grime? Consumer Reports recently tested stain treatments applied before laundering, and found a couple that worked well on a variety of stains. Each stain treatment was evaluated for its effectiveness on coffee, blood, wine, sebum, motor oil and grass.

Resolve Laundry (10 cents per ounce) was the top-scoring treatment and worked well on all the stains. Shout Advanced Action (21 cents per ounce) was almost as good and can be applied up to a week before laundering. It worked well on all stains but wine.

For its tests, CR’s technicians took swatches of stained polyester/cotton fabric, applied the same amount of each stain cleaner, let the swatches sit for five minutes, and then washed them in a mediocre detergent.

For comparison, they also washed the stained swatches in a highly rated detergent, using no pre-treatment. The lowest-scoring treatment was also a Resolve product: Resolve Foaming Aerosol Laundry (15 cents per ounce). It only worked well on removing motor oil.

Most laundry pretreatments help somewhat: The top products, including old stain remedy Fels-Naptha, which was made into a paste using one part Fels to four parts water, worked better than detergent alone. Scrubbing will probably improve stain removal, but also might damage fabrics.

CR recommends consumers use caution when considering products labeled “natural,” because that word has no standard meaning in cleaning products.

Nature’s Source Natural (20 cents per ounce) and Green Works Natural (25 cents per ounce) did a good job on only a couple of the stains.

Ecover (66 cents per ounce), the priciest choice, claims “plant-based ingredients.”

Consumer Union Inc.

Read the full article here on the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Before you treat any stain make sure check the cleaning care label on your garment to make sure it does not need to be dry cleaned. You need to test spot the cleaner on a non visible place on the article of clothing to make sure it does not alter the color. If you are not sure whether to clean the article of clothing yourself, contact Mark Pressed4Time.

image credit: Lara604 on flickr

Source: Down Comforter World By Down Comforter World www.downcomforterworld.com

Cleaning And Caring For Your Down Comforter

Caring For Down Comforter When It Arrives

When your down comforter arrives, please unpack it and activate the down.  To activate the down shake the down comforter vigorously for a few minutes to encourage . . . → Read More: How to Care For Your Down Comforter To Preserve Your Bedroom Decor]]>

Proper Care Of Your Down Comforter Can Prolong Its Life

Source: Down Comforter World
By Down Comforter World
www.downcomforterworld.com

Cleaning And Caring For Your Down Comforter

Caring For Down Comforter When It Arrives

When your down comforter arrives, please unpack it and activate the down.  To activate the down shake the down comforter vigorously for a few minutes to encourage lofting.  Full lofting of your down comforter will occur over the next 24 hours.  When using your down comforter, your body heat will continue to enable more lofting to take place.

Caring for your down comforter is important as it will prolong the life of the down comforter and eliminate the need for frequent cleaning. When receiving your down comforter, it is important to cover it with a duvet cover to protect it from daily wear. This cover will also assist in keeping the comforter clean.  When washing or changing the duvet cover, turn the down comforter.  This will ensure even wear.  It is also important to periodically air out your down comforter.  This can also be done when changing or washing your duvet cover.  Airing freshens your down comforter, and optimizes the insulating properties of the down.

Cleaning Your Down Comforters

Our manufactures recommend professionally dry cleaning your down comforters when they become soiled.  Small spots or stains can be removed from your down comforter by spot cleaning.  Use a non-detergent solution (ex. zero, woolite) diluted with some water.  Shift the down away from the soiled area, and then use a small amount of the cleaning solution on the spot.  Rub the fabric to loosen and lift the stain.  Rinse using a small amount of water and then squeeze the excess moisture first with your hands and then with a dry towel.  This area can then be air dried or a hair drier can be used to completely dry the spot.

Our down comforters should not require more than a wash every 5 to 10 years, and with careful use may never require washing.  If you decide to wash your down comforter, you can launder it in a washing machine.  A large down comforter will require a commercial (larger tub) size front load machine, and a small down comforter can be washed in a domestic (smaller tub) front load washing machine.  Fill the washing machine with the largest amount of cool water.  Set the washer on a gentle or delicate cycle adding non-detergent liquid soap ( ex. zero, Woolite).  Allow the non-detergent liquid soap to dilute, and then submerge the down comforter into the cool water spreading the down comforter evenly in the tub of the washing machine.  Allow the cycle to complete.  Place the down comforter through a second rinse cycle using cool water.  This will remove any soap residue.  Allow the rinse cycle to complete.  Do not use a fabric softener.

How do I dry my down comforter once it has been washed?

Drying the down comforter after it has been washed is very important and also very time consuming as this step has to be done correctly.  Place the down comforter into a dryer at the lowest possible heat setting.  Do not use high heat as this will shrink the shell of the down comforter.  Remove the down comforter frequently from the dryer and shake it.  Continue to tumble the down comforter at the lowest possible heat setting. Check the down comforter frequently, taking it out and shaking it frequently so as to dry the down evenly.  If the down comforter is bunching to one side of the dryer add white towels to the dryer.  This will prevent the down comforter form bunching and the towels will wick moisture form the down.  The down comforter can be removed from the drier and hung to air dry.  A down comforter must be completely dry before being used as a moist down comforter could lead to mildew or mold in the down.

Read the full article here on downcomforterworld.com

If your comforter is in need of cleaning and you do not have a washing machine large enough you can take it to your local dry cleaner to have it cleaned. Or better yet, contact Mark Pressed4Time and we’ll pick it up.

image credit: iferneinez

Designer purses are everywhere and every woman wants them. The can be pricey, but they can also be an investment if you know how to care for them. Learning how to clean your purse will prolong the life of it and allow you to . . . → Read More: How to Clean A Designer Leather Purse]]>

Designer Purses can last a lifetime if you care for them properly

Designer purses are everywhere and every woman wants them. The can be pricey, but they can also be an investment if you know how to care for them. Learning how to clean your purse will prolong the life of it and allow you to get the maximum value out of it.

If you should happen to stain the leather, follow these tips to clean your purse:

• Read the labels inside of your designer leather purse. Make sure you can use leather soaps and lotions on that particular leather.
• Lay the designer purse out on a flat and clean work surface. Mix the leather soap with the amount of water specified on the bottle.
• Dip a clean soft white rag into the soap mixture. Spot clean the designer leather purse as needed. Use as little water as possible. Let the leather purse dry.
• Apply the leather lotion to the surface of your leather purse. Use a clean soft white cloth to do this. Gentle rub a small dime sized dot of lotion into the leather, buff, and wipe away.
• Store your designer leather purse in the suede storage bag it came with. This will keep dust and grime off of the leather purse while in storage.

If you have questions as to the particular stain or the type of leather, it is best to consult the manufacturer or a professional cleaner. Your designer purse can be a part of your wardrobe for years to come, if you take care of it properly.

For more information on cleaning your designer leather purse, or if you have questions about a particular stain, contact Mark Pressed4Time today.

GreenEarth is the future of Dry Cleaning

relaxx Dry Cleaning in San Diego, CA is one of the new wave of dry cleaners offering a more eco-friendly, and state-of-the-art dry cleaning facility. Unlike traditional dry-cleaning, which uses perchloroethylene or “perc,” a petroleum-based solvent, the GreenEarth process uses no hazardous . . . → Read More: A revolutionary cleaning process – Pure Liquid Silicone – The future of dry cleaning?]]>

GreenEarth is the future of Dry Cleaning

relaxx Dry Cleaning in San Diego, CA is one of the new wave of dry cleaners offering a more eco-friendly, and state-of-the-art dry cleaning facility. Unlike traditional dry-cleaning, which uses perchloroethylene or “perc,” a petroleum-based solvent, the GreenEarth process uses no hazardous chemicals. It cleans with pure liquid silicone, basically liquefied sand, the same gentle, natural product used in many everyday shampoos, lotions and deodorants. With GreenEarth, there is nothing to dirty the air, contaminate the soil or pollute the water, and the results are noticeable better.

One of the most noticeable differences with the GreenEarth® process is the lack of that telltale “dry cleaning” odor. The benefit to clothes is also tangible. “Garments just look and feel better,” said William Jones, General Manager of relaxx Dry Cleaning. “They are softer, with more body; colors are brighter and whites whiter.” Additional benefits for customers include no dye-bleeding or damage to delicate beads and trim.

relaxx Dry Cleaning’s choice to install the the environmentally safe  cleaning system was due to the 2007 Californian ban on perc and it is a decision that puts them ahead of the curve.

If you would like to know more about dry cleaning practices in Hampton Roads, contact Mark Pressed4Time today.

image credit: zoomar on flickr

Make sure to clean your curtains regularly and properly

Draperies, curtains and window treatments collect a huge amount of dirt over time. Dust, oil, pollution, smoke, pollen, heating fumes and bacterial are just some of the dirt that they retain. Even though they look visually clean, drapery cleaning is certainly a necessary part . . . → Read More: How to clean your Drapes, Curtains, or Window Treatments]]>

Make sure to clean your curtains regularly and properly

Draperies, curtains and window treatments collect a huge amount of dirt over time. Dust, oil, pollution, smoke, pollen, heating fumes and bacterial are just some of the dirt that they retain. Even though they look visually clean, drapery cleaning is certainly a necessary part of housecleaning. The most important drapery cleaning tip to follow is, vacuum your drapes often, using a handheld vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Weekly vacuuming is best but if that is not possible, vacuum your drapes at least once a month.

But if you should find yourself having to clean your drapes, curtains, or window treatments, you need to make sure you follow the printed directions.

There are certain circumstances where you need to have them professionally cleaned. Never wash draperies if:

• they are not labeled washable
• the fabric is faded and weakened by sunlight
• embellishments and trims are not colorfast
• drapes are pleated
• the lining and drapes are different fibers or only one is washable
• they are too large or bulky to fit properly into your washing machine

If they are washable:

Either hand wash, if they are small, or machine wash using the short, gentle cycle. Use cool water and mild detergent but never overload your washing machine, as the drapes will not clean properly.

Rinse thoroughly and gently and then either line-dry, out of direct sunlight or tumble-dry on a delicate or air setting.

Remove your draperies immediately from the machine once they dry. Touch up with your iron if necessary, but press on the reverse side, not on the front of your drapes.

Either way its important that you clean your drapes, curtains, or window treatments properly and consistently in order to protect the quality and life. If you aren’t comfortable cleaning your drapes or don’t know if they can be cleaned, contact Mark Pressed4Time today.

image credit: jennecy on flickr

Silk ties are a formal necessity, they can often be pricey, and yet they are extremely susceptible to ruin if you stain them. They are not really meant to be cleaned, a skilled dry cleaner can often remove the stain, but sometimes the stain . . . → Read More: How To Remove A Stain From Your Silk Tie]]>

Don't let a stain ruin your tie - Contact Mark Pressed4Time today

Silk ties are a formal necessity, they can often be pricey, and yet they are extremely susceptible to ruin if you stain them. They are not really meant to be cleaned, a skilled dry cleaner can often remove the stain, but sometimes the stain is too much for the tie. But there are some tips that, if you follow, can increase the chance to remove the stain without damaging the tie.

WHAT DO I DO TO TREAT THE STAIN?

The first thing you can do is act immediately. As soon as the stain occurs, respond to it. The longer the stain stays on the tie, the more time it has to bond with the silk fibers.

The second thing to do is resist the natural reaction to treat the stain with water. Water is bad for silk

The third thing you can do is to dab a small amount of stain remover on to the tie. Be careful not to apply too much as it could alter the color of the tie.

Fourthly, blot the stain with a paper towel.

Lastly, you must dry clean your tie for best treatment.

The best chance you have to prevent a stain on your tie is to apply a protection spray to your ties prior to wearing them.

If you have a tie that currently has a stain or would like to know more about stain removal, contact Mark Pressed4Time today.

image credit: Yogma on flickr

It happens, it’s just a natural part of owning clothing. You purchase an article of clothing and it is colorful, vibrant, brand new looking, and then as you start to care for it the color starts to fade. It  goes from brand new looking to old, faded, and worn; and depending . . . → Read More: Rules for clothing care – Keep your clothes from fading]]>

Clothing color can be preserved

It happens, it’s just a natural part of owning clothing. You purchase an article of clothing and it is colorful, vibrant, brand new looking, and then as you start to care for it the color starts to fade. It  goes from brand new looking to old, faded, and worn; and depending on how many times you have had to care for it, it could be sooner than you want.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT THE COLOR IN CLOTHING?

Here are a couple simple rules you can follow for preserving the color in your clothing:

1. Read the Label

Check for instructions that may say to wash only in cold, or with like colors. The tag will also tell you if the item has to be dry cleaned and give you proper drying instructions.

image credit: mckaysavage on flickr