02/18/2019
Think Twice Before Buying garments with questionable care instructions.
1. Spot clean only – Usually, a garment with this label has trim, such as beads, sequins, leather or polyurethane, and is not a serviceable garment. Unfortunately, there are not many drycleaners with the ability to provide this service.
2. Do not dryclean – A garment with this label may have solvent-soluble dyes and/or trim. I’ve seen dark-colored cotton/rayon shirts with this label, and it’s not a problem – unless you drop a Double Whopper down the front and need to have it drycleaned to remove the grease. Also, be wary of beaded/sequined garments of various fabrics, and casual, beach-themed silk shirts with this label. Every Christmas, I get a lot of cotton sweaters with beads, bells and ornamentation, with “do not dryclean, hand wash, and lay flat to dry” care instructions; however, even when you follow these instructions, the color may still fade or dry unevenly. In addition, without tumbling dry, cotton sweaters and casual silks will feel hard and scratchy, not soft and smooth.
3. Do not wash – dryclean only – A garment with this label is only a “questionable care” instruction under certain conditions. Wool garments and garments with water-soluble dyes should not be washed; however, light-colored cottons, linens and silks should be able to withstand washing to clear wet-side stains and perspiration. Also, anyone with a bladder problem should never buy “do not wash” slacks.
4. Reshape and lay flat to dry – This instruction often goes together with hand wash only and is usually associated with sweaters and knits. The material dries hard and scratchy and the dyes can still run together.
5. Guaranteed to fade / guaranteed to stretch – These are disclaimer-type labels – don’t even go there!
6. Garments without a label – These garments have “presumed” instructions based on the type of material. As with the above disclaimer items – don’t go there either!
7.GARMENTS WITH CONTRASTING COLORS.
Will that black and white sport coat always look new? How about that red and white dress, or brown and tan blazer? Even following the manufacturer’s care instructions, I have often seen the dark dye migrate and bleed into the light.
8.SUITS WITH LABELS THAT DON’T MATCH.
I’ve seen suits that look perfect before they’re cleaned, but don’t match afterward. One piece made in Malaysia and one piece made in China. Or, one piece machine wash and one piece dry clean only. Or, one piece 100% cotton and one piece 60% cotton / 40% polyester. Be careful of all these types of combinations.
