Tag - hand wash only

cry cleaning Kinston | Vick's Cleaners

How To Prevent Shrinkage When Doing Your Laundry

We all have gone to pull one of our favorite articles of clothing out from the dryer, to realize that it has shrunk to the size of a small toddler’s top. While this is an extremely upsetting time, it is typically avoidable! Don’t continue to shrink all of your valuable garments, keep reading this blog from dry cleaning Kinston service, Vick’s Cleaners for everything you need to know about what causes laundry shrinkage and how to prevent it. 

Fabric Labels

If you want to keep your clothes from shrinking, a great place to start is the source–the fabric. Take a look at the clothing labels before purchasing, and go for articles that are labeled “pre-shrunk” or, learn which type of fabrics are more prone to shrinking, and stay away from them. When purchasing something that will require more time and attention when washing, are you able to take care of that piece of clothing? Are you willing to take that blouse or blazer to the dry cleaner every time it needs to be washed? If not, opt for something that’s a better fit for your lifestyle! 

Care Labels

If you want to know how to prevent specific clothes from shrinking, it’s probably best to read the fabric label and recommended care instructions. Pay close attention to the recommended water temperature, laundry cycle and drying instructions. Not all fabrics can be treated as equal, for example, rayon and linen tend to shrink more than nylon or polyester. Reading the fabric care labels can be a bit tough to decipher, so if you are still confused about how to care and clean your clothing, bring it into Vick’s Cleaners and we will handle it for you!

Heat

Whether you use hot water when cleaning your clothes or a hot air temperature when drying your clothes, heat is not your fabric’s friend and should not be used if you are trying to avoid shrinking your clothes. Clothing articles made out of cotton should be washed on a warm to cool temperature and then tumble dried or even hung to dry to prevent discoloration. Animal fabrics such as wool, mohair, and cashmere shrink when agitated (like in a washing machine or dryer) which is why dry cleaning Kinston service, Vick’s Cleaners, suggest getting those fabrics dry cleaned. 

Vick’s Cleaners Kinston NC

If you find your variety of clothing starting to get smaller because you are shrinking all of your clothing, it might be time to stop by and visit dry cleaning Kinston services, Vick’s Cleaners. While we can’t save already shrunk clothing, we can help you take care of your correct size articles and keep them wearable for many seasons to come. Don’t throw out your shrunken clothes though, they are still useful! Many people use shrunk and old cotton t-shirts as dust towels and for other reusable cleaning methods. If you have a whole stack of shrunken shirts and you know how to sew, you can turn them into a blanket! Professional cleaning by Vick’s Cleaners will prevent you from having to replace your favorite clothing items when they are washed improperly. If you don’t have time to swing by, Vick’s Cleaners offers pick-up and drop-off services. Contact us today!

Which Fabrics Must Be Dry Cleaned?

Everyone knows that feeling of buying a new piece of clothing that you just can’t wait to wear. But when you take it off and see that “Dry Clean Only” label, you might let out a groan or two. Vick’s Cleaners provides quality dry cleaning services for those pieces that must be dry cleaned, but which ones can you actually wash on your own?

Wash-At-Home Fabrics

Cotton typically does not need to be dry cleaned, but you should machine wash cold or warm with like colors. If your cotton clothing has been preshrunk, drying in a machine is suitable. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, spandex, nylon, acrylic, and acetate won’t shrink, so it is safe to wash them in warm water. They should hang dry or be dried on low because they can be permanently wrinkled in a hot dryer. 

Fabrics for the Dry Cleaners

Linen is made from flax fibers, which are cool and breathable in hot weather. If your linen clothing is washed incorrectly, it can lose its crispness. Take it to the dry cleaners for best results. Rayon is made from purified cellulose fiber and its dyes can bleed when washed. It can also shrink or lose its shape if washed in warm water. It is usually safest to dry clean this fabric. 

The dyes in silk also tend to bleed, so dry cleaning this fabric is the safest option. Proper care will keep it from losing its soft and silky qualities. Wool will shrink in any warm or hot water, so dry clean this sturdy fabric to keep it long-lasting.

Think It Can Be Hand-Washed?

Some fabrics can avoid the trip to the dry cleaners with a gentle hand wash along with being air-dried. However, there is still the risk of something going wrong and your clothes may be ruined for good. If you have a few favorite articles of clothing, consider taking them to the dry cleaners to ensure that they stay in good shape. If your washing machine is on the older side or if you typically take your clothes to the laundromat, dry clean your clothing more often to prevent ruining an item of clothing due to a bad machine. 

Vick’s Cleaners

Vick’s Cleaners has been proudly serving Kinston and surrounding areas in North Carolina for more than 100 years by providing quality dry cleaning and garment cleaning services, excellent customer service, and unmatched convenience. We currently have 3 locations for your convenience in Kinston and Snow Hill. Contact us today!