tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68832855112535731902024-02-19T10:21:25.669-05:00The Dry Cleaners Blogfor those in the dry cleaning industryMichaelrmillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827336485672179263noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-10321931794288038832013-04-10T19:15:00.002-04:002013-04-19T10:17:52.197-04:00How Do You Remove Grease Stains in Laundry<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7bnEas8qvpHN5qqWV4D2y2yuVNfFj0i7kiGsFbbBDvqL6BoFo425Ssa7LadaG6AGOro7GFfQvpl-NoOL2hiNKdcHCaFslCen6HY2nlbva6ThyFy5C2krd9v_Yf2j-U7GjncFk5BF2h4/s1600/PyratexLV_300x233.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7bnEas8qvpHN5qqWV4D2y2yuVNfFj0i7kiGsFbbBDvqL6BoFo425Ssa7LadaG6AGOro7GFfQvpl-NoOL2hiNKdcHCaFslCen6HY2nlbva6ThyFy5C2krd9v_Yf2j-U7GjncFk5BF2h4/s1600/PyratexLV_300x233.png" /></a></div>
Most dry cleaners are familiar
with the OTPR (oily type paint remover) <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/pyratex/" target="_blank">Pyratex®</a>, manufactured by <a href="http://www.4streets.com/" target="_blank">Streets®</a>,
an outstanding stain remover and an industry staple for many years. Pyratex® has the ability to quickly
cut through exceptionally heavy stains such as grease, shoe polish, lipstick,
paints and oils, just to name a few. Today I have the opportunity to tell you about a new type of Pyratex® -
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/pyratex-lv/" target="_blank">Pyratex LV®</a>,
a virtually odorless, color friendly, leave on, no flush, OTPR, that will not
affect the flash point in solvents. Now, I know what you are thinking,
"Mike, it is your job to sell Pyratex LV®, so you may be a bit biased" and I am, but those
customers of mine who have already purchased the new Pyratex LV®
are seeing that this new product is finding a very useful place on their
spotting board, right along side the Pyratex® they have been using for
years and is making their jobs much easier. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Just like the Pyratex®
that dry cleaners have been using for generations, Pyratex LV®
is formulated to take on the heavy-duty stains.
It can handle paint, oil and grease stains, as well as lipstick and
cosmetics. It lubricates, lifts and
suspends soils to prevent it from redepositing on fabrics. It is virtually odorless. Another nice aspect of the Pyratex LV®
is the fact that it does not need to be flushed from fabrics when cleaning in perc,
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/solvents/df-2000-fluid/" target="_blank">HFHC</a> and LFHC. It can be used
effectively in <a href="http://www.greenearthcleaning.com/" target="_blank">D5 </a>solvent, but will require flushing with steam, water or other
flushing agents. Even better, it does
not need to be flushed in <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2010/03/what-role-should-wetcleaning-play-in.html" target="_blank">wetcleaning</a> or <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/07/watch-out-for-dye-fading-in-laundry.html" target="_blank">laundry</a>. <b><i>Yes, that is right you can use Pyratex LV®
in your wetcleaning and laundry. In fact for those of you using the "old" Pyratex, I would think of the new Pyratex LV as "Pyratex for laundry".</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Dry cleaners know that one of the
biggest challenges in <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/08/do-you-suffer-from-ring-around-collar.html" target="_blank">laundry</a> is the removal of food greases, oil stains,
cosmetics, waxes and so on. Washing and
wetcleaning does an excellent job at removing water soluble soils, but the real
challenge comes when faced with the solvent soluble soils in
wash/wetcleaning. Quite often a dry
cleaner will take valuable time and added expense by first cleaning a garment
in their dry cleaning machine to remove these oily type stains and then
laundering them, that is if they can be dry cleaned. However, by using Pyratex LV®
as a pre-spotter, you can eliminate having to go to the dry cleaning machine to
first remove grease stains before laundry.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Pyratex LV® is sold by <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/find-a-distributor/" target="_blank">Streets®authorized distributors</a>. All ingredients
are biodegradable. It contains no
<a href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65.html" target="_blank">Proposition 65</a> listed ingredients or halogenated compounds and is designed to
comply with California 2013 VOC regulations.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>This leads me to the question,
how do you remove grease stains in laundry and the answer is simple - you use
Pyratex LV®!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22Naperville, IL, USA41.7858629 -88.14728930000001141.596309399999996 -88.4700128 41.9754164 -87.824565800000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-50783976737456152012013-04-04T14:37:00.000-04:002013-04-04T14:37:20.267-04:00Do Customers Know The Services You Offer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwBxSfZNa1UTQnu-lDGrxWdVtJqEPXXMtsz0hwzWOFXJbMz8Va_6skcnTHuAI9-YO3o_iZNsKf-I_Wf7sGqF78quOLtaIDZ9ZBXu1G2mo2rtVAVlHAg_b1W9VyNl77M7TZJvmbldObh0/s1600/shoe+repair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dry Cleaners Offer Many Services" border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwBxSfZNa1UTQnu-lDGrxWdVtJqEPXXMtsz0hwzWOFXJbMz8Va_6skcnTHuAI9-YO3o_iZNsKf-I_Wf7sGqF78quOLtaIDZ9ZBXu1G2mo2rtVAVlHAg_b1W9VyNl77M7TZJvmbldObh0/s320/shoe+repair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A question I am often asked when visiting dry cleaning plants is what can I do to increase my sales here? And lets face it, rents are high, dry cleaning volumes are down, who couldn't use some extra revenue. What I find interesting about that question is that the answer is more often than not, already in place, it just needs to be cultivated and even furthermore, it is usually something that will not require any cash investment or a small one at most. These are usually actions that will require very little extra effort. What do I mean by this?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Quite often the dry cleaner has the additional services that can increase sales already in place in the dry cleaning establishment, <b><i>but the dry cleaning consumer may not know these services are available and furthermore these services are often overlooked by the customer service personnel working at the point of sale (the front counter)</i></b>. <u><b><i>That's right, the front counter is the point of sale and there needs to be more selling taking place</i></b>.</u> It is surprising how often I see a customer run into the cleaners, drop his clothes on the counter and run out, without any interaction or upselling taking place. While it is a very desirable to have this kind of relationship and trust by your customers, the owner of the dry cleaners is missing the opportunity to build sales. Think of how many restaurants or fast food establishments ask if you want a dessert item with your meal or if you would like to upsize to a larger size. Other types of business may ask if you would like to extend the warranty period with your purchase and so on. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Some "extra" services that require little or no investment and are offered in many drycleaning plants.</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Alterations</li>
<li>Comforter Cleaning</li>
<li>Drapery Cleaning</li>
<li>Wedding Gowns</li>
<li>Water/Stain Repellency</li>
<li>Shoe Repair</li>
<li>Leather Cleaning</li>
<li>Garment Storage</li>
<li>Moth Proofing</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of these items are already offered by the dry cleaners that read this blog. The problem is that we are not getting the message out to the consumer that uses your service. They just do not know that you have these extra services. <b>There are many ways that we can get the message out and make these potential sales. Some of these are:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Word of mouth. The csr needs to explain to every customer what services or specials may be going on. This may be awkward, as not everyone is comfortable in a sales position. However, if they just start practicing and learn to ask pertinent questions, they will soon be off and running. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Signage. Does your store have signs explaining additional services that you may offer?</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Printed material. Hang tags, pamphlets stapled to the order or on display on the counter are all great ways to inform the public. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/01/my-dry-cleaner-is-texting-me-coupons.html" target="_blank">Email and text</a>. If you have permission and the email/text addresses of customers, sending a regular promotion or information text regarding those "add on" services that you offer is a great way to build this part of your business. Again, this is a very low cost investment if you already have a database on your customers. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>There are many ways that a dry cleaner can add simple extra services to their already existing way of doing business. There are many ways the dry cleaner can get the message to his customers and inform them of these extra services. With a little training of the counter sales personnel and persistence, these small services can add to the bottom line and pay off. </i></b></div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.3265919 -85.0334294 34.1713989 -83.7425354tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-61455637178723203272012-12-22T11:43:00.000-05:002012-12-22T11:56:08.156-05:00American DryCleaner Article - Structuring Dry Cleaning Pricing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUOpx1InCjzDjPK7EUyHza_1gJH8iev0pmyOtV2wete9ktnexPY1TaOZN_FCeU1jGQt0Hy__RfX22HAc-DoGMe5rMHlefu8IUYNk91fVHITwoKqk55Stlc-CWhGw681Yx2QtxHO0dUGQ/s1600/Structuring+of+Pricing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUOpx1InCjzDjPK7EUyHza_1gJH8iev0pmyOtV2wete9ktnexPY1TaOZN_FCeU1jGQt0Hy__RfX22HAc-DoGMe5rMHlefu8IUYNk91fVHITwoKqk55Stlc-CWhGw681Yx2QtxHO0dUGQ/s200/Structuring+of+Pricing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUOpx1InCjzDjPK7EUyHza_1gJH8iev0pmyOtV2wete9ktnexPY1TaOZN_FCeU1jGQt0Hy__RfX22HAc-DoGMe5rMHlefu8IUYNk91fVHITwoKqk55Stlc-CWhGw681Yx2QtxHO0dUGQ/s1600/Structuring+of+Pricing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.americandrycleaner.com/article/structuring-dry-cleaning-pricing">http://www.americandrycleaner.com/article/structuring-dry-cleaning-pricing</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUOpx1InCjzDjPK7EUyHza_1gJH8iev0pmyOtV2wete9ktnexPY1TaOZN_FCeU1jGQt0Hy__RfX22HAc-DoGMe5rMHlefu8IUYNk91fVHITwoKqk55Stlc-CWhGw681Yx2QtxHO0dUGQ/s1600/Structuring+of+Pricing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUOpx1InCjzDjPK7EUyHza_1gJH8iev0pmyOtV2wete9ktnexPY1TaOZN_FCeU1jGQt0Hy__RfX22HAc-DoGMe5rMHlefu8IUYNk91fVHITwoKqk55Stlc-CWhGw681Yx2QtxHO0dUGQ/s1600/Structuring+of+Pricing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.326592399999996 -85.0334294 34.1713984 -83.7425354tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-4872130707394848292012-11-12T17:24:00.000-05:002012-11-12T17:54:58.982-05:00Stain Removal Products<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxi2GJxstkQ_3MpzZcbF3tk71IDkKUfWAUJGlUyLlCB_sBDt_LZwBoBkKtfbZ7P6xG3x_vgAA83kN5OSaKKfVCTTHdP0pZTX5dXJmvTzrq34eoT8My0exFIJUi1PeGbmY3DCYabpoY1k/s1600/Lonely+Spotting+Bottle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How dry cleaners remove stains" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxi2GJxstkQ_3MpzZcbF3tk71IDkKUfWAUJGlUyLlCB_sBDt_LZwBoBkKtfbZ7P6xG3x_vgAA83kN5OSaKKfVCTTHdP0pZTX5dXJmvTzrq34eoT8My0exFIJUi1PeGbmY3DCYabpoY1k/s320/Lonely+Spotting+Bottle.JPG" title="Is this the only tool in your toolbox?" width="240" /></a>Its been a while since I have posted here on The DryCleaners Blog, my schedule has had me quite busy and has kept me from putting some good quality information together for the dry cleaners of the world. However, one of my friends from the west coast, <a href="mailto:info@professionalgarmentcare.com" target="_blank">Dan Pollock</a>, a dry cleaning professional who has recently started a new website <a href="http://professionalgarmentcare.com/">ProfessionalGarmentCare.com</a> has come to my assistance and has put together several very informative articles for the world of dry cleaning. Dan is a very knowledgable guy and I am sure you will find this posting about stain removal products to be very helpful in your day to day operations of your professional dry cleaning business. We are glad to have Dan as a guest author here at <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Cleaners Blog</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><strong>Stain Removal Products: Tools of a Drycleaner</strong></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lets face it, when it comes to stain removal products there are hundreds of products out there, deciding which ones are effective and which ones you truly need can be a trial and error process. A process that can be very costly, time consuming and result in claims for the professional dry cleaner. However, deciding which of these stain removal agents you need and how many of these bottles are setting on your spotting board is also an important part of the stain removal process. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Stain removal agents are the tools with which you will use to go to work on what is often the exact reason a customer has brought a garment to your store, to remove a stain. These tools are really no different than the way you would use your tools in your toolbox to repair a piece of equipment in your plant. What do I mean by that? Well, when you need to make a repair to your equipment, you go to your tool box and find the tools you will need for the repair. If all you have is a hammer, flashlight and a screwdriver, you will be very limited to the repairs you are going to be able to do. In stain removal, if all you have is a POG, you are going to be very limited in the types of stains you will be able to remove. With that in mind, the greater the variety of tools/stain removal products you have, the more repairs/stain removal you will
succesfully complete. Also, by eliminating being forced to use the wrong tools/stain removal agents, the more you will limit the potential of doing damage by using the wrong tool. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx5KiVl9f0nc2r2AFUwaAjBWq_LbSJuR-6eowyK_YxG55cNo7g0DiXTegRM35MKYIPIbEirxFHvQOh2JCbwjH92wsM_wRhs9XADQg2ztC3Zh5Hd0fqfjB1ZXcb4WBVQUIgQuWMJRU8Z0/s1600/Spotting+Board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="How to remove stains" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx5KiVl9f0nc2r2AFUwaAjBWq_LbSJuR-6eowyK_YxG55cNo7g0DiXTegRM35MKYIPIbEirxFHvQOh2JCbwjH92wsM_wRhs9XADQg2ztC3Zh5Hd0fqfjB1ZXcb4WBVQUIgQuWMJRU8Z0/s320/Spotting+Board.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How many different ingredients do we encounter in stains, garment construction and stain removal products? Too many to count. Every manufacturer has its own specific ingredients in their stain removal product which has been designed to remove specific types of stains. Some will only be safe on garments of a certain type of construction and a specific type of stain, others may cover a wider range of stains and many types of garment construction. The manufacturing of garments can be very complex, with many different types of fabrics/components being used. Then there are the stains. These can be of a combination of multiple ingredients, oily, acidic and alkali. When you really think about this, the more stain removal products that you have with different ingredients, is very similar to a tool box that has a large variety of tools. <em><strong>Simply put, more tools/stain removal agents will allow you to increase your ability to repair your equipment/remove stains without damage caused by using the wrong tool.</strong></em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you are frustrated with your stain removal results and you want to remove more stains without damage to the garment consider getting more tools (stain removal agents) and learn how to properly use them. You will have those on your spotting board that are your favorites or that you will find are used the most often, but you will also find there are many types of specialty tools that you can put away for those more special needs <em><strong>that you <u>will</u> encounter</strong></em>. By having those more specific stain removal agents on the shelf and ready to be used, you will definitely find that you will have more effective stain removal that will lead to happier customers and <strong><u>who doesn't want happier customers?</u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em></em></strong> <strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong></div>
<strong><h1 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“If the only tool you have is a hammer,
you tend to see every problem as a nail.” - Abraham Maslow</span></h1>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</strong><div style="margin: 0px;">
For further information on this subject contact: <a href="mailto:info@professionalgarmentcare.com" target="_blank">Dan Pollock</a> at <a href="http://professionalgarmentcare.com/" target="_blank">ProfessionalGarmentCare.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12Los Angeles, CA, USA34.0522342 -118.243684933.6312602 -118.87539890000001 34.4732082 -117.6119709tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-57332155923121474412012-07-25T19:21:00.001-04:002012-07-25T20:21:24.024-04:00How Spilled Milk Has Changed The Laundry Industry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazI57NBlzDAlIMsXBKwBf8Nb4UHeSgfcf5xu3bxza7GUTl1dD-oHHKTg5p50Fg7C2XmfQTRQcUYVNOeNgrHJnlFhqSCtPCopu1OJuJVwXS8fsmuvrdCzSyfpn9nSaDC1PHuQWMTDkzq8/s1600/Cleantie+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk" border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazI57NBlzDAlIMsXBKwBf8Nb4UHeSgfcf5xu3bxza7GUTl1dD-oHHKTg5p50Fg7C2XmfQTRQcUYVNOeNgrHJnlFhqSCtPCopu1OJuJVwXS8fsmuvrdCzSyfpn9nSaDC1PHuQWMTDkzq8/s320/Cleantie+picture.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>When was the last time spilled milk sparked a
business idea?</strong> Earlier this year, in fact, when Ryan Del Rosal and Dariy
Margaritov came up with the idea for <a href="http://cleantie.com/" target="_blank">CleanTie.com</a>, an internet service that
matches local drycleaners with people in need of laundry pickup. The two men
were traveling to another city on business when spilled milk on a suit almost
ruined an important business meeting. The spilled milk incident inspired them
to develop a way for people to request laundry pickup in a hurry.</span><strong><em> </em></strong></span><strong> </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CleanTie has already partnered with over 200 laundry vendors
in 25 states, and is still growing. The startup success has been featured in
industry publications such as <a href="http://www.americandrycleaner.com/" target="_blank">American Drycleaner</a>. With the success of CleanTie
in the United States, the company is now launching in the UK to meet the needs
of Olympic travelers. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Founder Dariy Margaritov said of their expansion, <em><strong>“Due to the
Olympics and heavy demand for laundry service we are spreading our business
[CleanTie] to the UK. A lot of US travelers who are familiar with the CleanTie
service will be in the UK for the Olympics and we want to make sure they have
an easy solution for their dry-cleaning.”</strong></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>So what’s next for CleanTie?</strong> The company is in the
beginning phases of filming a commercial that features their company racecar. <span style="background: white;">The CleanTie public relations spokesperson, Blair
Nastasi, said of the commercial, <em><strong>“Expect the commercial to be entertaining and
a little edgy. CleanTie wants to convey the message that dry cleaning doesn’t
have to be such a serious inconvenience. We are here to make your life easier.
Letting us handle your dirty laundry gives you more time for the important
things in life."</strong></em></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Laundry and drycleaning vendors who are interested in adding their business
to the CleanTie site, can go to </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.cleantie.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.CleanTie</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and click on the “Register Business” section or
call <strong><span style="background: white; border: 1pt windowtext; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">(866)
765-8666 for assistance. Adding a business to the site is free and businesses
are only charged a small referral fee when orders are sent over from the
website. Press inquiries can be directed to: <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt windowtext; color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><a href="mailto:Blair@MediaMogulsPR.com">Blair@MediaMogulsPR.com</a></span></span></span></strong></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.537754899999996 -84.703839399999993 33.9602359 -84.0721254tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-82016924062691326132012-06-10T12:11:00.001-04:002012-06-10T12:11:53.120-04:00Take Charge of Your Dry Cleaning Process<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHg_FffrA5LR6UK2_I2FnBpMBVMzeNJcb1in3GkZH2TVHCLEsws-R8XnN19FCm96LATomtu1V8GDVY0rwtZmt7APNb0UXTTBsDkNsu_KZtuq_RQEvRQ6AC-5QFIdRMMGDZ54ZC6uBiMI/s1600/Check+Your+Charge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Check Your Dry Cleaning Soap Charge" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHg_FffrA5LR6UK2_I2FnBpMBVMzeNJcb1in3GkZH2TVHCLEsws-R8XnN19FCm96LATomtu1V8GDVY0rwtZmt7APNb0UXTTBsDkNsu_KZtuq_RQEvRQ6AC-5QFIdRMMGDZ54ZC6uBiMI/s320/Check+Your+Charge.jpg" width="320" /></a>
There are many factors that can influence drycleaning results, everything from <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/03/dry-cleaners-need-enough-time-to-clean.html" target="_blank">wash times</a>, to <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/02/are-your-dry-cleaned-clothes-clean.html" target="_blank">load size</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/01/are-your-whites-white-or-just-kinda.html" target="_blank">solvent levels</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/04/you-gotta-keep-them-separated.html" target="_blank">load classification</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2010/04/soap-to-use-it-or-not.html" target="_blank">detergent use</a>, and the list can go on. All of these things must be correct in order to achieve a high level of soil removal in the dry cleaning process and as professional dry cleaners, this should be our goal. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the past I have posted regarding many of these different operating parameters, but recently I had a customer of mine point out that I never really post much about the old time, low flash hydrocarbon using washer-extractors, that I only post about the newer high flash hydrocarbon and perc machines.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the southeastern US, there are a large number of low flash hydrocarbon (LFHC) users. These washer-extractors where built to last a lifetime and they have. With their huge base tanks (up to 200 gallons and more), behemoth filtration systems (up to 42 filters), moisture controls, properly sized wheels, pumps, wash times up to 30 minutes and <strong><em>charge system</em></strong>, what is not to like about doing dry cleaning using this type of process. The simplicity of operation and quality of cleaning using this type of process is something that we will probably never see in this industry again. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In these machines, the charge system meant that detergent was maintained in a consistent percentage of the solvent. This could be anywhere from a 1% "charge" up to as high as a 4% "charge" (in those processes using a clear rinse). By maintaining and checking this charge, a dry cleaner could expect to remove a very high level of water soluble stains, they could expect no static, no lint and very consistent results, <strong><em>but the key to this is that you have to check your charge. </em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I was running a charge system, I made it a point to check my charge twice a week. This told me if I had too much <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/detergents/everest/" target="_blank">detergent</a> or not enough. <strong><em>Checking your charge is not difficult to do, but yet I rarely see any dry cleaners do it anymore</em></strong>, which makes me wonder how do they know if they have the correct amount of detergent in their machine? Checking your charge takes 5 minutes or less. The test solutions are only a couple bucks and are very simple to use. Your <a href="http://www.4streets.com/" target="_blank">soap company</a> might even just give you a test kit to get you started and would surely go over how to check and maintain your charge properly. If your soap company cannot help you out with this, find one that will. You may find that you are using a soap that cannot be checked. <strong><em>It is hard to believe, but there are companies that make charge detergents that cannot be checked. What is that all about? If you have one of those charge detergents that you are unable to check, I would have to ask why not? How do you know if it is correct or not?</em></strong> <strong><em>Go figure.</em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the dry cleaning industry is an old industry, it continues to evolve, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Maybe I am feeling a bit nostalgic this morning, but the fact is, those old time dry cleaning processes could do some very good cleaning. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-90088584989313571432012-06-02T11:54:00.000-04:002012-06-02T11:54:25.376-04:00The Southern Drycleaners and Launderers Trade Show<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsHi7YApv8TVfO6DvvN9VRRRDFIi26sf_a2kqAdoCvhouLiIlyVdw281-lRzaI02fVo6QIilcTfozifzjcsEhG2v1jHUow79vmgZvtIMKVjTICHt15OjXyXkVAeycu41iNlkQQl0PnxA/s1600/Tampa+Blog+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Visit the 2012 Southern DryCleaners and Launderers Show" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsHi7YApv8TVfO6DvvN9VRRRDFIi26sf_a2kqAdoCvhouLiIlyVdw281-lRzaI02fVo6QIilcTfozifzjcsEhG2v1jHUow79vmgZvtIMKVjTICHt15OjXyXkVAeycu41iNlkQQl0PnxA/s320/Tampa+Blog+Picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is amazing how time flies. It doesn't seem all that long ago that we were meeting for the 2010 Southern Dry Cleaners and Launderer's Show, yet here we are into the first week of June and the </span><a href="http://www.cepiexpo.com/sdc12/new3/message.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2012 Southern DryCleaners & Launderers Show</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> is only 3 weeks away and from what I am hearing from those that exhibit at the trade shows, this show is going to be a good one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year's show will be held in Tampa, Florida at the <a href="http://www.tampaconventioncenter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tampa Convention Center</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> from June 22 thru June 24 and with </span>over 70 companies exhibiting at this years show, every facet of the dry cleaning industry should be represented. There will be every type of equipment on display, from boilers to dry cleaning machines. The soap and chemical companies will all be in attendance. If you are seeking new software or computer systems for your dry cleaner, this is the place to see them in operation and do not forget about the distributors.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year's show will also feature industry experts that will be conducting seminars on several subjects including dry cleaning plant maintenance (my favorite), as well as successfully operating routes and several more. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This show only comes around every 2 years and is a great opportunity for those of us that live in the Southern US to attend one of the best dry cleaning related trade shows in the country, without having to travel too far. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet up with old friends from the industry, make new friends, see the latest innovations, learn from the experts or to just take a well deserved break. So make plans to come to Tampa, FL on June 22 thru June 24. I will be working in the </span><a href="http://www.4streets.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">R.R. Street and Co. Inc.</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> booth, stop by and say hello. I hope to see you there!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information regarding travel, accomdations, tickets, etc. Visit the </span><a href="http://www.sefa.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Southeastern Fabricare Assocations (SEFA)</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> website. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Tampa, FL, USA27.950575 -82.457177627.726155000000002 -82.773034599999988 28.174995 -82.1413206tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-56455377781386560542012-04-21T14:51:00.000-04:002012-04-21T14:51:38.550-04:00You Gotta Keep Them Separated<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRfBxBFKFn3ZIk_3pvHMJSdpuL0IuoLznQBWfbi-P2g57NBQ3mlbQnojI89Ecgy9_gr904dqhz4CI6LA_bZ5BEx7DFkUSMtCxWzacqShwp7mJkwi4tLqaK6PaoXn6hA772S6LQpuVve0/s1600/dry+cleaning+classification.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Articles about dry cleaning and dry cleaners" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRfBxBFKFn3ZIk_3pvHMJSdpuL0IuoLznQBWfbi-P2g57NBQ3mlbQnojI89Ecgy9_gr904dqhz4CI6LA_bZ5BEx7DFkUSMtCxWzacqShwp7mJkwi4tLqaK6PaoXn6hA772S6LQpuVve0/s320/dry+cleaning+classification.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When it comes to top notch dry cleaning, you have to keep them separated. What I am talking about is <strong><em>load classification</em></strong>. Along with having the <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/02/have-you-checked-your-solvent-mileage.html" target="_blank">proper solvent levels</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/01/do-your-customers-suffer-from-static.html" target="_blank">proper detergent usage</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/08/change-your-all-carbon-filters.html" target="_blank">good filtration</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/03/dry-cleaners-need-enough-time-to-clean.html" target="_blank">proper wash time</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/02/are-your-dry-cleaned-clothes-clean.html" target="_blank">load factor</a>, <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/02/use-fabric-finish-to-protect-finished.html" target="_blank">fabric finish</a> and <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/02/remove-stains-safely-and-consistently.html" target="_blank">effective stain removal</a>, you will need to separate garments into classifications and clean those classifications of garments in the same load. Proper classification will help to prevent the garments from several types of garment problems such as dye transfer and redeposition, to inconveniences and production slow downs such as excessive linting, streaks and swales. When looking at load classification, there are 2 basic reasons for classifying garments. One is to insure fabric safety and the second is to achieve the maximum soil removal without redeposition. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are many different types of fabrics, dyes and fibers. All of these will not withstand the same dry cleaning process. Lace and beads, for example will not withstand the process that will give maximum soil removal, unlike the hard wools and some blended fabrics. Because of this, <strong><em>when it comes to classification, the consideration of fabric safety must be taken into account first while soil removal becomes secondary.</em></strong> Pre- testing dyes and trims is also a very important part of the classification process.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What I am seeing in the average size dry cleaning plant is 5 different classifications for garment cleaning. Heavy weight hard wools and blends of a dark color. Heavy weight hard wools and blends of a light color. Light weight silks and fragiles of a dark color. Light weight silks and fragiles of a light color. And lastly, the bleeders (garments susceptible to excessive dye fading).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Separating by weight is important.</em></strong> The heavy weight fabrics are much more durable than the lighter weight fabrics and can usually withstand the wash times necessary to adequately remove soils. Typically, dark fabrics tend to be dirtier (they are often worn longer) and will require a longer wash cycle. They also dry much slower, so when cleaned with lighweight garments they will often be the cause for streaks and swales, resulting in re-cleaning of the lightweight garments. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Separating by color is a must. </em></strong>Sorting by color, keeping the light colored garments and white garments separate from the dark colored garments will help to avoid discoloration from the bleeding of dark dyes onto the lighter colored garments and greatly reduce the risk of garment claims from this type of redeposition. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Separating the bleeders is crucial. </em></strong>Dry cleaners today are taking in more garments that will have dye fading and bleeding than we have ever experienced in the industry. These garments are a major cause of garment damage. It is crucial that the drycleaner watch for these types garments, pre-test to see if they will bleed and separate those garments that do bleed, so that they can be run in a bleeder type of load (garments are cleaned off filter and solvent is sent to the still after this batch cleaning). This will help to prevent garment claims, reduce maintenance needed to keep solvent in good condition and extend the life of cartridge filters. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These are the basics of garment classification. However, this can be greatly expanded on to include garments with fancy trim, beads, sequins or household items, restoration type work, heavily soiled garments/uniforms and the list can go on and on. Most new dry cleaning machines such as the <a href="http://www.uniondc.com/" target="_blank">Union</a>, <a href="http://firbimaticusa.com/" target="_blank">Firbimatic</a> and <a href="http://www.drycleaningmachine.com/" target="_blank">Columbia</a> are now coming with a great selection of programs that will cover the majority of those needed by a dry cleaner when separating into proper load classifications. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>*The challenges of proper garment classification.</em></strong> The volume of dry cleaning that is being processed by the dry cleaning plant will dictate the practicality of using these load classifications. High production plants will have a much easier time with these classification than the smaller plants. Because of this, how you classify garments will really depend on your work flow and plant procedures, as well as machine size and volume of clothes processed. <strong><em>The classification procedure you use should be one that will give you the greatest degree of separate classifications while still maintaining efficient production rates. The deciding factor for the cleaning procedure of any load of dry cleaning must be based on those limitations of the most fragile item in that particular load of dry cleaning to avoid damage.</em></strong> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-22376515705105530852012-04-15T11:35:00.000-04:002012-04-15T11:35:57.858-04:00How To Remove Blood Stains in Dry Cleaning<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr_uVahf36Ncz5WGWib6pFug2LkNxxRzVTAunnwzpHcCSPomHrzp4sTChgOIL6cZSHF-oXis_rdrXiOvH1alPbntmC7w70NOxOLgH1YaCbu6y8TSrNaJp1-4JswJ_w-guggz1PofrQ-E/s1600/Missed+a+Spot+(Blood+Stain).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr_uVahf36Ncz5WGWib6pFug2LkNxxRzVTAunnwzpHcCSPomHrzp4sTChgOIL6cZSHF-oXis_rdrXiOvH1alPbntmC7w70NOxOLgH1YaCbu6y8TSrNaJp1-4JswJ_w-guggz1PofrQ-E/s320/Missed+a+Spot+(Blood+Stain).jpg" alt="How To Remove Blood Stains in Dry Cleaning" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You Missed A Spot!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="justify">
As an owner of a dry cleaner your spotter will encounter a fair amount of stains of the albuminous type. These stains are best described as egg, yolk, milk, ice cream, certain food stains and blood (stains that are byproducts of the human or animal body). These stains can prove to be a challenge for your spotter, but by following the proper procedures, they will be able to remove the majority of these stains and you will be able to return the garment to your customer restored to like new condition. <strong><em>As with all stains, there is a standard procedure that you should use when attacking these type stains and as always, you should pretest the stain removal procedure on an un-exposed area of the garment before moving on to the actual stain.</em></strong> <br />
<br />
Let's take a look at how to remove the most common of these albuminous stains, the blood stain. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<strong>Stain Removal Agents Used In the Removal of Blood Stains:</strong></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/mulsolite/" target="_blank">Neutral lubricant</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/streepro/" target="_blank">Protein type stain removal agent</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/devour/" target="_blank">Digester</a></li>
<li><div align="justify">
Bleach (sodium perborate or hydrogen peroxide)</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/sofspot/" target="_blank">Levelling agent</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="justify">
<strong>Steps In the Removal of Blood Stains:</strong></div>
<ol>
<li><div align="justify">
Pretest in an un-exposed area of the garment using the following procedures to see if the garment will withstand the stain removal procedure.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Place a towel under the stained area. Wet the area with steam. In some cases, this may be all it takes to remove the stain. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
If the stain remains, remove the towel and apply neutral lubricant to the stained area. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Tamp lightly with the spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
If the stain remains, remove the towel and reapply neutral lubricant. Then apply a stain removal agent designed for removing protein type stains. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Tamp lightly with the spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Place a towel under the area and flush the area with steam. In many cases the stain will have been removed at this point. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
If the stain remains, remove the towel after <strong><em><u>thoroughly flushing and wet the stain with digester.</u> (Thorough flushing is imperative in order to ensure the digester works properly.)</em></strong></div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Using 2 folded towels, preheat the towels with dry steam. Apply a heated towel on the top surface of the stained area. Apply the other heated towel to the bottom side of the stained area. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
At this point, set the garment aside.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
After 10 minutes have elapsed, apply digester directly to the stained area again. Reheat the top towel and replace it on the stained area. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Allow the digester to work 10 minutes. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
After the 10 minutes have elapsed check to see if the stain has been removed. If not repeat steps 11 and 12. (Some stains may require more time, but this is a very effective way to remove blood stains.)</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
If after several attempts using the digester and towels, the stain has not been removed, bleaching may be necessary. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide.</div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Flush thoroughly with steam, feather and dry. </div>
</li>
<li><div align="justify">
Apply levelling agent and dry clean. </div>
</li>
</ol>
The blood stain is a very common stain found in dry cleaning. <strong><em>It is also a stain that you must be able to remove with a very high degree of success.</em></strong> By following these procedures you should achieve that high degree of success and be on your way to being known as the dry cleaner that gets the stains out.<br />
<br />
<ol>
</ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-464446410173329802012-03-25T11:54:00.001-04:002012-04-15T11:36:45.143-04:00How To Remove Coffee Stains<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBcnUW2qCRFzGonZBThpQn25SjA6I7Ij9cUflFIosW0oRQqI-n9xYSgjwmlPLwYNzQ7O69-WjQBjfjB5XoKmc1XmL2wR_5qSgazzSTggxXleJxDCVxTYM2gEZsAO-nETIhBwAdiI5c9c/s1600/Coffee+Stain+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Your Dry Cleaner Can Remove Coffee Stains." border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBcnUW2qCRFzGonZBThpQn25SjA6I7Ij9cUflFIosW0oRQqI-n9xYSgjwmlPLwYNzQ7O69-WjQBjfjB5XoKmc1XmL2wR_5qSgazzSTggxXleJxDCVxTYM2gEZsAO-nETIhBwAdiI5c9c/s320/Coffee+Stain+Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a>One of the more common stains that the professional dry cleaner encounters is the Tannin stain. Tannin is a substance found in vegetable matter, such as <strong><em>coffee, tea, nuts, grass and the bark of trees. </em></strong>Tannin stains are visible when fresh and become brown on contact with heat, as in drying and pressing. Tannin stains should not be confused with the <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2011/02/that-stain-wasnt-there-when-i-brought.html" target="_blank">invisible stain</a> or also known as the caramelized sugar stain. Tannin stains are easy to identify. Often the location of the stain can be the first clue. Tannin stains will vary from a light tan to a dark brown color. The stain is absorbed by the fabric. It will not be built up or stiff and can often smell like the staining substancec (coffee) when heated with the steam gun. Tannin stains are considered a wet-side stain (meaning they will require wet-side stain removal procedures). Let's look at how to remove coffee stains. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Stain Removal Agents Used In the Removal of Tannin/Coffee Stains:</strong></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/mulsolite/" target="_blank">Neutral Lubricant</a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/streetan/" target="_blank">Tannin</a> </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/gen-formula-no-209/" target="_blank">General Formula</a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Rust Remover</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Oxidizing Bleach - (Bleach will be selected based on the fiber content and dye.)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/sofspot/" target="_blank">Levelling agent</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Steps In the Removal of Tannin/Coffee Stains:</strong></div>
<ol>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Pretest in an un-exposed area of the garment using the following procedures to see if the garment will withstand the stain removal procedure.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Place a towel under the stained area and flush thoroughly with steam.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Remove the towel and apply neutral lubricant to the stained area.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Tamp lightly with the spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Apply tannin stain removal agent to the stained area and tamp lightly.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Place a towel under the stained area and flush thoroughly with steam.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If the stain remains, remove the towel and reapply the neutral lubricant. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Apply General Formula. (Make sure you have tested the effects of General Formula on an unexposed area of the garment, as this is an aggressive type stain removal agent.)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Tamp lightly with the spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Place a towel under the stained area and flush thoroughly with steam. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If the stain remains, reapply neutral lubricant and several drops of rust remover.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Flush with steam.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At this point, if the stain still remains, bleaching will be necessary to remove the stain. If color permits the use of bleaches sodium perborate or 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used on wools and silks. On cottons and rayons, sodium perborate or a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution can be used. <strong><em>Before using any bleaches <u>PRETEST</u> the garment on an unexposed area. </em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once the stained area is clear of the stain, place a towel under the area and flush thoroughly with steam, remove the towel, feather and dry, apply levelling agent and dry clean. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The tannin stain is a very common stain found in dry cleaning. <strong><em>It is also a stain that you must be able to remove with a very high degree of success.</em></strong> By following these procedures you should achieve that high degree of success and be on your way to being known as the dry cleaner that gets the stains out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-14966232814870452162012-03-17T13:45:00.000-04:002012-04-15T11:37:36.188-04:00How To Remove An Ink Stain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3QxfDk-C09gYRdDc8OL-gFL474btOpNq7RJ6x_PKZOOjykP009MVQmIkOYmjYzEbczWrup01BZsctIoBP6WZyfW78a0QjDGLKDOgv1ymCsaf9fQrd_DXABlY9FbTyd20EDOIryOKsmM/s1600/Ink+blot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3QxfDk-C09gYRdDc8OL-gFL474btOpNq7RJ6x_PKZOOjykP009MVQmIkOYmjYzEbczWrup01BZsctIoBP6WZyfW78a0QjDGLKDOgv1ymCsaf9fQrd_DXABlY9FbTyd20EDOIryOKsmM/s1600/Ink+blot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3QxfDk-C09gYRdDc8OL-gFL474btOpNq7RJ6x_PKZOOjykP009MVQmIkOYmjYzEbczWrup01BZsctIoBP6WZyfW78a0QjDGLKDOgv1ymCsaf9fQrd_DXABlY9FbTyd20EDOIryOKsmM/s1600/Ink+blot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to remove ink stains." border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3QxfDk-C09gYRdDc8OL-gFL474btOpNq7RJ6x_PKZOOjykP009MVQmIkOYmjYzEbczWrup01BZsctIoBP6WZyfW78a0QjDGLKDOgv1ymCsaf9fQrd_DXABlY9FbTyd20EDOIryOKsmM/s200/Ink+blot.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ink stains are one of the more frequent stains encountered by dry cleaners and can be a stain that will truly test the abilities of the person doing the stain removal. Successful removal of ink stains will depend on several factors such as the type of ink that you are trying to remove, the type of fibers that the fabric is made of and the fastness of the dyes used in the color. There are many type of inks that the professional dry cleaner can encounter. There are marking inks, permanent inks, printing inks, carbon paper inks, ball point pens, india inks and the list goes on. One of the difficulties of successful removal is that each of these inks can contain different components which can require different stain removal procedures. <strong><em>Then there are limitations set by the type of fiber or dyes that are in the fabric. In dyed fabrics, ink removal methods are limited by the fastness of the color used and we know how colorfast the dyed garments are these days. They are not colorfast.</em></strong> So it is possible that you may be dealing with a very limited service garment and there is a possibility that the stain cannot be removed successfully. However, by following the correct procedures, you will have a fair amount of success. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of the most common ink stains the dry cleaner will encounter is the ball point pen. These stains can be as simple as a small line marked on a fabric to a large blob in a pocket. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<strong>Stain Removal Procedure - (ball point pen)</strong></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
The first thing you want to do with a large ink stain is to manage your customers expectation on the outcome. Depending on the fabric, it may not be possible to remove the stain safely. Experience will give you a better idea of what you can and cannot remove. It would also be a good idea to have your customer sign a release before going further with a difficult stain.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Before starting the stain removal procedure, be sure to pre-test the following steps on an unexposed area, to be sure that the procedures are indeed safe to the fabric in question.</em></strong></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Working the stain from the reverse side, with a towel under the fabric, apply <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/picrin/" target="_blank">volatile dry spotter</a> (VDS) to wet the stained area. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Apply a small amount of <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/pyratex/" target="_blank">oily-type-paint-remover</a> (OTPR).</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
With a piece of white towel or paper towel, begin to blot the stained area. Re- applying the OTPR as often as necessary. Continue this until the slightest trace of bleeding (from the ink) has stopped. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If the stain starts to spread, flush the area with VDS and resume the spotting with OTPR.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Once the stained area is clear of the ink bleeding, flush thoroughly with VDS.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If traces of the stain still remain, wet side stain removal procedures will be required.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Place a towel under the stained area, wet the area with steam and apply a <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/mulsolite/" target="_blank">neutral lubricant</a> and lightly tamp the area with a spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Flush the area with steam.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If the stain still remains, apply <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/streetan/" target="_blank">tannin formula</a> to the stain and lightly tamp the area with the spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Flush the area with steam.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If the stain still remains, apply <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/gen-formula-no-209/" target="_blank">general formula</a> to the stain and lightly tamp the area with the spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Flush the area with steam.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If the stain still remains, apply <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/streepro/" target="_blank">protein formula</a> to the stain and lightly tamp the area with the spotting brush.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Flush the area with steam.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
If at any point in the wet side stain removal, the stain is removed, flush the stain removal agents from the fabric, feather dry, apply <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/sofspot/" target="_blank">levelling agent</a> to the damp area and dry clean.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><strong>At this point, if the stain still remains, bleach will be necessary. This should only be used as a last resort.</strong></em> The use of bleaches is a more advanced stain removal technique. Different types of bleaches can successfully be used depending on the type of fabric and dye, a lengthy topic for another post. </div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>By following these steps you will have a greater success rate in removing ball point ink stains and do not forget, <u>always pre-test the fabric in an un-exposed area, with the same procedure you intend to use for the stain removal process.</u></em></strong></div>
<ul><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-83933844210016701672012-03-04T14:04:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:39:27.937-04:00Dry Cleaners Need Enough Time To Clean Clothes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRioIF-jQW78Cb2JMFXQB5Npl5d0wg89X4yUT3O7A6zBhBMyFq8MkfW2HkPQ5qwoWioN8MJBamcyLnrUT1zk1rXpyt2Y2GUT2v4roQ7NrclA-9EbU7mXRtYozaO5MxcIv8RpnwLqhfFPg/s1600/bigstock_Turn_Back_Time_10456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRioIF-jQW78Cb2JMFXQB5Npl5d0wg89X4yUT3O7A6zBhBMyFq8MkfW2HkPQ5qwoWioN8MJBamcyLnrUT1zk1rXpyt2Y2GUT2v4roQ7NrclA-9EbU7mXRtYozaO5MxcIv8RpnwLqhfFPg/s200/bigstock_Turn_Back_Time_10456.jpg" width="200" alt="Dry cleaners need enough time to clean clothes." /></a>I was making my way from Atanta, GA to Mobile, AL last week with a lot of windshield time ahead of me, listening to "the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world" - <a href="http://www.rollingstones.com/" target="_blank">The Rolling Stones</a>. The lyrics from the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIE2GAqnFGw" target="_blank">Time Is On My Side</a>" were stuck in my head the rest of the day, which led me to this posting. When it comes to dry cleaning, time really is on our side. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Think about it. The more time the customer gives the drycleaner with their garments, the more time the dry cleaner has to work on the garment and the more time the dry cleaner has in case he needs to rerun the garment (to those dry cleaning consumers who may read this blog - the more time you give your drycleaner to properly process your garments, the greater the probability that you will be pleased with the results). Giving the garment sufficient drying time is another area that is a must for the dry cleaner and then there is the actual wash time of the garment. <strong><em>There is no substitute for the length of cleaning cycle time when it comes to cleaning clothes. Dry cleaners need enough time to clean clothes!</em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The dry cleaning machine is designed to clean clothes and when set up properly, a very low rate of reruns can be achieved. Wash time in the dry cleaning machine is a huge factor. Even if all conditions are perfect (filter working correctly, pump working efficiently, load factor good, detergent concentration correct and solvent level correct) you will not receive the results the consumer expects if the wash time is insufficient. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>What is the correct length of a wash/cleaning cycle? </em></strong><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The correct length of the cleaning cycle depend's on several factors. The type's of material, dyes and garment construction are very important. Any recleans, delicates and loosely woven fabrics will need a short cycle Over the last few years, the degree of dye fading you can expect has come into play (rarely a factor 30 years ago), pre-test garments for color fastness and if it appears dyes will bleed, a bleeder type program or short wash cycle would be most desirable. Due to the servicability issues of the garment, these garments are the exception and will be best processed in a 5-6 minute wash cycle and even less in the case very ornate garments. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, for the vast majority of garments, those garments that I would classify as a "regular" type garment, I would recommend no less than 12 minutes of filtered wash time in perc and no less than 20-25 minutes in both low flash and <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/solvents/df-2000-fluid/" target="_blank">high flash hydrocarbon</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Why are these wash time necessary?</em></strong></div>
<ol>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Solvent Soluble Soils - These soils are removed fairly quickly in both of these solvents and should not be looked at when considering the length of the wash cycle on the drycleaning machine. These soils are typically removed sufficiently when giving the other type soils the time they need in order to be removed.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Fugitive Dyes - These dyes are removed in both distillation and through the activated carbon available in your <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/filtration/" target="_blank">cartridge filters</a>. Many machines today are under-filtered with less amounts of activated carbon available. Many of the garments we are cleaning today have more fugitive dyes than at any other time in our industry. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Insoluble Soil - Study's have shown that even <strong><em>without garments</em></strong> in the dry cleaning wheel, it will take a minimum of 8 minutes of solvent circulation <strong><em>with filtration </em></strong>to flush the majority of insoluble soils from the wash wheel. Also, when you consider the difference in weight between the two solvents, hydrocarbon being almost half as much the weight of perc, hydrocarbon will not remove insoluble soils from the garments as quickly. <strong><em><u>Hydrocarbon will remove insoluble soils as effectively as perc</u> when given a wash cycle of 20-25 minutes</em></strong>.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Water Soluble Soil - Solubilized water does not go to work to remove water soluble type stains immediately. The natural water that is in all garments that go into the dry cleaning machine along with the solubilized water that is in the dry cleaning solvent must be at the same relative humidity before water will begin to dissolve the water soluble stains. This equilibrium is not reached until 8 minutes into the wash cycle. This means that food stains, perspiration and other water soluble stains have not even begun to be removed until 8 minutes into the wash cycle. If these stains are heavy or built up, they will need a considerable amount of wash time to be completely dissolved. </div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Give your garments a good long filtered wash (when garment construction allows) and you will have a much better end result. Time needs to be on the side of the dry cleaner in order to provide high quality garment care. <strong>Dry cleaners need enough time to clean clothes!</strong></div>
<ol><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12Mobile, AL, USA30.6943566 -88.043054130.475894099999998 -88.3589111 30.9128191 -87.727197100000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-25973107072854490882012-02-19T13:02:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:41:36.291-04:00Are Your Dry Cleaned Clothes Clean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p50nYee84HS88vSVxh2YlnvM7lklCBs1QA9SWqQsfvoDBiieMOyjnOKHPIR3ZFMgN-eneRckQbY6fQ93G_MITdxHv44YHGOSdlnY1vw3hXIJfxjTusPnwo2IlfjQUVmrI0TbkAlD8Ws/s1600/Warner+Robins-20120125-00299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Does dry cleaning make your clothes dingy." border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p50nYee84HS88vSVxh2YlnvM7lklCBs1QA9SWqQsfvoDBiieMOyjnOKHPIR3ZFMgN-eneRckQbY6fQ93G_MITdxHv44YHGOSdlnY1vw3hXIJfxjTusPnwo2IlfjQUVmrI0TbkAlD8Ws/s320/Warner+Robins-20120125-00299.jpg" width="320" /></a>Recently I was in a very busy dry cleaners and while talking to the manager, I observed the drycleaner loading the dry cleaning machine. As I watched, he proceeded to cram about 70 pounds of clothes to be cleaned into a machine rated at 55 pounds by the machine manufacturer. Over the years, I have seen this too many times to count. I can understand why busy plants try to overload their machine to increase production, but in my opinion, the cost of reruns, damaged garments, redeposition and inferior qualtiy far outweighs the increase in production (if it really is an increase). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There are many components of the drycleaning process that come into play when we look at what it takes to produce a high quality drycleaned garment. These components have direct affect on the soils that we encounter in dry cleaning. Soils such as insoluble soils, solvent soluble soils and water soluble soils. One of these components is the <strong><em>load factor</em></strong>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The load factor is best explained as being the ratio of pounds of garments in a load of dry cleaning to the size of the dry cleaning wash wheel, otherwise known as pounds per cubic foot. Studies have shown that the ideal load factor is 2.0 pounds per cubic foot. At 2.0 pounds per cubic foot sufficient agitation of the garment occurs, allowing insoluble soils to be removed, transferred away from the garment and onto the filter rapidly, minimizing redeposition and the garment greying you can expect with redeposition.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As dry cleaning equipment has evolved, the industry has slowly moved away from machine designs that incorporated the 2 pound per cubic foot standard to a 3 pound per cubic foot standard even though the physics involved in the removing of soils from clothing has not changed. In fact, you may find some manufacturer's claiming a load factor of almost 4 pounds per cubic foot. With that in mind, I would recommend looking at the cubic foot rating of a machine when you are purchasing a new machine. For your existing machines, determine the cubic foot of the wash wheel and load it at a factor of no more than 3 pounds per cubic foot to achieve the highest quality cleaning.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Overloading the dry cleaning machine can result in many problems, such as streaks and swales, poor water soluble soil removal, poor solvent mileage and poor quality cleaning. Overloading has a direct affect on your insoluble soil removal and can result in garment greying and dinginess. <strong><em>This type of redeposition is almost impossible to remove and usually results in garments being permanently damaged by it.</em></strong> Underloading the wash wheel can have its own set of problems as well, usually not as critical nor as permanent as the damage incurred when overloading the machine. You will have less agitation which can result in less soils being removed. Another problem can occur in the very lightweight garments such as silk, that can stick to the wash cage leaving the hole pattern of the wash cage on the garment. This is easily remedied by the time consuming re-cleaning of the garment. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>As you can see, loading the dry cleaning machine is more than just filling it with clothes. Loading your dry cleaning machine in the correct load size can go a long way towards improving your dry cleaning quality, preventing dingy garments and keeping white</em></strong><strong><em> colored garments bright. </em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-72454836413166547942012-02-08T13:37:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:42:46.862-04:00Remove Stains Safely and Consistently<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ahN_v3FQw6klIUjkk_Lda6AyylQ8ROBY6bXgzcZwaJSQWENbcrze9MN_t10dXegYb2nvz7ks2MNNSlO_g-GSLWBDNR8h1DdC8KY2k7vV_PJVuhhKHo1DA_-AydDhd9Jof-4gV4aOP8Y/s1600/Spotting+Board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Your dry cleaner can effectively and safely remove stains." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ahN_v3FQw6klIUjkk_Lda6AyylQ8ROBY6bXgzcZwaJSQWENbcrze9MN_t10dXegYb2nvz7ks2MNNSlO_g-GSLWBDNR8h1DdC8KY2k7vV_PJVuhhKHo1DA_-AydDhd9Jof-4gV4aOP8Y/s320/Spotting+Board.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong><em>For the professional dry cleaner, the stain removal department is usually the least profitable part of the dry cleaning operation.</em></strong> When you consider the labor that is required to remove stains, the cost of chemicals required to effectively remove stains and the potential for claims resulting from improper stain removal procedures, it is very easy to see that the stain removal part of the drycleaners business can be expensive in terms of the cost involved in order to produce those high quality dry cleaned garments. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately, effective stain removal plays a major part in the entire dry cleaning operation and is a "necessary evil". The consumer expects for all professional dry cleaners to be able to remove stains successfully, with maybe the discount cleaners being the exception. The consumer also expects these stains to be removed every time, (which dry cleaners know is not possible, unless they use a pair of scissors to remove those that will not come out after using the most aggressive procedures the fabric will allow ). The consumer also expects the stain to be removed without damage to the garment. <strong><em>Being able to effectively remove stains and "restore garments to like new conditions" can go a long ways towards giving the professional dry cleaner the reputation that he needs to be successful.</em></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One part of the stain removal process that can go a long way towards preventing mishaps and accidental damage to garments during the stain removal process, is to keep your spotting board in an orderly fashion. </div>
<ul>
<li>Keep the spotting area clean. Wipe it off between use of the various chemicals when removing a stain. Wipe the area clean after completing stain removal of a garment. </li>
<li>Routinely clean under the nose of the spotting board, especially after <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/2012/03/how-to-remove-ink-stain.html" target="_blank">working on ink stains</a>. Often chemical residue and residues of stains that have been removed can be picked up by garments that may be affected by these residues. </li>
<li>Keep the stain removal tools clean. Flushing any chemicals from them between uses.</li>
<li>Keep a good supply of clean towels on hand.</li>
<li>Keep all bottles labeled correctly. If you do not have labelled bottles, request them from your distributor. They usually can provide you with the correct bottles, often at no charge. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Keeping your stain removal area neat and clean, your bottles labelled properly and using correct stain removal procedures, can go a long way towards making this all important, but costly part of the process more manageable, helping to remove stains safely and consistently, trimming some of the cost of producing high quality dry cleaning. Effective stain removal can help the dry cleaner to justify a higher price for
his work and help to distinguish himself from the competition. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-84706405166805678372012-02-01T14:46:00.002-05:002012-04-15T11:43:48.475-04:00Is Carpeting Unhealthy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.aussiecarpetclean.co.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Carpeting in homes can pose as a health risk, have them cleaned regularly." border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPBSw_LbRWrFSVsggEmyBVMe-Blz7vK4djqIUhTxOTJc0Y1mA9GpfUepQ8e8Ck2smf3oyzqPe_xrBZJNhZl41MaB4P3ZGowtWeIJz5d4LnaJQ79cWWmfge1oc2aTtoHubeBls1YEkRs8/s200/Aussie+Cleaning.jpg" width="200" /></a>
The statement that carpets are healthy is more or less
controversial. This is a not a fact but only a notion. Many doctors say that
carpet is the main polluting source that is within a home or an office. A dirty
carpet may end up working as an indoor air polluter for your home. Carpets and
the products used in installation, like adhesives and padding emit VOCs
(volatile organic compounds). VOCs are harmful to small children,
toddlers, pregnant women, elderly, and people having weak immune system and
respiratory issues. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="http://www.lungusa.org/" target="_blank">America Lung Association</a> says that a new carpet can be a source of chemical
emissions. There is an unhealthy emission of VOCs during and following
installation of carpet, but if the installers work as per the recommendations
like proper ventilation during and after installation, the carpet becomes a
benign material quickly. Carpets are made of non-organic material like nylon,
polyester. These do not enhance or support the microbial growth, but these are
porous and fibrous in texture, which illustrates the fact that carpets absorb
anything and everything that comes onto them. If not cleaned on a daily
basis, it will go on absorbing soil and dirt for a long period of time. If left
unclean for more time, it will become a store house of germs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Is Carpet Unhealthy</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to a recent study conducted by, the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank">US Environmental ProtectionAgency</a> (EPA), the University of North Carolina (UNC) and the Research Triangle
Institute (RTI), a regular vacuuming of a carpet on a regular basis, helped in
a significant improvement in the atmosphere within a room and led to a reduction
in particles, VOCs, and biological pollutants.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How carpets become unhealthy</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The above study has the fact that carpets are not unhealthy but if they are
allowed to become contaminated for a long duration of time. Carpets are spoiled
by dust brought by shoe-soles, pollen and mold spores which are allergenic in
nature. The carpet can get dirty if water stays on it for a long time, as
humidity leads to an unnoticed microbial growth. On the other hand it acts as a
filter that absorbs are the dirt and filth so that the inhabitants may remain
healthy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>To carpet or not to carpet</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Carpets do provide that cushioned and cozy feeling, but carpeted floors shelter
more microorganisms than any other type of flooring. It serves as a breeding
ground for mold, bacteria and other allergy-causing organisms. A dirty carpet
exposure would lead to health problems like burning sensation in the eyes,
shortness of breath or cough, headaches, asthma, nose and throat irritation and
fatigue. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A <a href="http://www.aussiecarpetclean.co.uk/"><b><span style="color: blue;">Carpet Cleaning London</span></b></a>
company can take care of your carpeting in a professional way. If you have kids
or pets at your home you would need to keep a regular check on your carpet.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">This article was submitted by guest author Jaspreet Singh - Aussie Clean Team/Cleaning London. For more information on this subject contact Jaspreet at: <a href="mailto:aussiecleanteam@gmail.com">aussiecleanteam@gmail.com</a></span></em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com24London, UK51.508129 -0.12800551.350007 -0.443862 51.666250999999995 0.187852tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-60364299029961017632012-01-29T11:03:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:45:22.442-04:00Maintain Your Additive Dispensers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://microaccesstechnology.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dry cleaners should check to ensure they are using the proper amounts of detergent and sizing." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguebTF5R3OME-A2Rfp7Oax_3m_lVX1qDNsSGujjCBehbUdZO_u4S0BkBZgGYfgJWCCaLqd1ZgDdjM8R3AD1beV9Z0FcA2060URhOTU01RkWMl8Y2__12R7S6m3hxprFBtA5SVP3VGepug/s320/MicroAccess+Pumps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Using the proper mixture of additives such as detergent and sizing is one of the key factors in achieving high quality dry cleaning.</strong> By using detergents properly you can expect to remove water soluble soils, eliminate static, reduce linting and keep insoluble soils in suspension preventing redeposition. <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/fabric-finishes/revive/" target="_blank">Fabric finish</a> will help to provide the dimensional stability of the garments, make pressing easier and prevent wrinkling during handling of the finished garments.
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Process design parameters should be the deciding factor when choosing the type of detergent that you use, with distillation rates being one of the main concerns. With less filteration and higher distillation rates you will almost certainly want to be using a <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/detergents/fabricol/" target="_blank">load process detergent</a>. Conversely, with a greater amount of filtration and lower distillation rates, a <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/detergents/staticol/" target="_blank">charge type detergent</a> will offer excellent results and would be my preferred choice. For proper control of the additives when using a <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/detergents/pinnacle/" target="_blank">load process detergent</a>, you will really want to automate the introduction of them into the machine at the proper point in the machines programming and in the proper amounts, so an additive dispensing unit is a necessity. By automating this process you can ensure that you will receive a high level of cleaning quality on a consistent basis. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
While there are a great number of dry cleaning plants that introduce their additives manually, there are an even greater number that use process additive equipment (<a href="http://microaccesstechnology.com/files/MF200.pdf" target="_blank">similar to the picture above</a>) or <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/1845b0449f8db221ccebcb01c5fa1a97db60a8cc638132cb73612f7212c2f71e6g.jpg" target="_blank">OEM type dosing units</a> that are available on most machines. Which brings me to the subject I am posting about. <strong><em>Do you check the operation of these dispensing units as a part of your regular weekly maintenance?</em></strong></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Quite often I will be at a dry cleaning plant and notice that the additives pumps are not working properly and have to wonder how long has the operator been doing dry cleaning without detergent. In a recent stop at a dry cleaning plant I got into a conversation about their boiler and type of compound they were using in it. The plant manager told me what she was using and mentioned that she didn't think it was pumping properly though, as the pail had not gone down any in almost a year. I took a look at it and sure enough the pinch tube on the additives pump had collapsed and <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/boiler-treatment/steam-dragon/" target="_blank">boiler compound </a>was not being added. In 5 minutes I had repaired the pump and hopefully gained a new customer from it. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/fabric-finishes/revive/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Dry Cleaned garments require a good fabric finish, such as R.R. Streets Revive." border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVQmGW1sxRig7DApyRjQKnk8oaTovcQRrH6u66oU_nDyyMn-5XHKD5R_9hxevIRgxufMdLP63GOfiHiQkVOVZrFAsJ6c-roQ4BAGK9gyhp8x1heqJaK-zTdpGdo5MspwMGH3fxrCniSA/s320/Warner+Robins-20120125-00293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<strong><em>There is a very simple way to make checking the dispensing unit a part of your weekly maintenance. It only takes 30 seconds and the only tool you will need is a marking pen.</em></strong></div>
<div align="justify">
<strong><em>Simple mark the level of product in the drum and date it. The next week, do it again and each week from then on. You will know exactly how much product you are using and whether the pump is indeed working properly. </em></strong></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
If things do not appear to be working as they should, a quick call to your distributor sales rep or your manufacturer's rep should be all that is needed. Problems that occur with this type of equipment can usually be solved very easily, often with nothing more than a slight adjustment to the pump or change of the pinch tubes. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-33227003006809519692012-01-23T19:54:00.001-05:002012-04-15T11:46:29.271-04:00Emergency Dry Cleaning Restoration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98TZ-riqIdIqNKslmuQvT1NwKXAvbEP5WBda7FfhIZPELBtb3musnmg4a8X2FLFAJ4Ai_65YwGAUqWKS1POEGp-ha8bNKD7iknQht5-qBbvhm5a155w4Hxq-7yy5xZXWEE7sp_ZsNysw/s1600/edr+article.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 188px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700997102455065026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98TZ-riqIdIqNKslmuQvT1NwKXAvbEP5WBda7FfhIZPELBtb3musnmg4a8X2FLFAJ4Ai_65YwGAUqWKS1POEGp-ha8bNKD7iknQht5-qBbvhm5a155w4Hxq-7yy5xZXWEE7sp_ZsNysw/s320/edr+article.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://romenews-tribune.com/bookmark/17267640/article-Emergency+Dry+Cleaning+Restoration#.Tx4BEYoRZ78.blogger">Emergency Dry Cleaning Restoration</a>: Larry Alford, CEO of Emergency Dry Cleaning Restoration , is answering the questions for today’s Small Business Snapshot. What is the primary purpose of your business? We provide emergenc...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-46137564338391074602012-01-22T10:51:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:47:31.446-04:00New Look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsODkbPgrfOVxdp_GNbnwqYP8HwckVgF6QPgVg2dIGCqeMh59E4lCG4Ss-KHwW0-GrYvOVh7qSJwegxAUsGFZ8dBnxddGHgTJdzVf7Q6_Se6TQ832T3t1LyBGHERJ0BBpZqaKkARi3RA/s1600/Under_Construction-2gm02xz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Dry Cleaners Blog is under construction." border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsODkbPgrfOVxdp_GNbnwqYP8HwckVgF6QPgVg2dIGCqeMh59E4lCG4Ss-KHwW0-GrYvOVh7qSJwegxAUsGFZ8dBnxddGHgTJdzVf7Q6_Se6TQ832T3t1LyBGHERJ0BBpZqaKkARi3RA/s200/Under_Construction-2gm02xz.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Cleaners Blog</a> is in the process of updating its look to a more modern, magazine type template that is sure to make your time spent here more enjoyable. Please stay tuned.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-89462248352709639372012-01-21T15:43:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:48:28.689-04:00My Dry Cleaner Is Texting Me Coupons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV23Gxy0yXCPbX98VQQKgc3f4qhT8TvcLyk6iWKjFlzbrYT_ZP1m_vWLbw2hr4bfSgTzq7lSKJbzm85tWvYCAcNfd9d11zHggrEhWBvOJjq8ncNSlzdIO8dA84uIlnalUx08AUsN7LYdM/s1600/Texting+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV23Gxy0yXCPbX98VQQKgc3f4qhT8TvcLyk6iWKjFlzbrYT_ZP1m_vWLbw2hr4bfSgTzq7lSKJbzm85tWvYCAcNfd9d11zHggrEhWBvOJjq8ncNSlzdIO8dA84uIlnalUx08AUsN7LYdM/s1600/Texting+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Does your dry cleaner text message you coupons." border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV23Gxy0yXCPbX98VQQKgc3f4qhT8TvcLyk6iWKjFlzbrYT_ZP1m_vWLbw2hr4bfSgTzq7lSKJbzm85tWvYCAcNfd9d11zHggrEhWBvOJjq8ncNSlzdIO8dA84uIlnalUx08AUsN7LYdM/s320/Texting+Post.jpg" width="269" /></a><strong><em>I received an offer today from the plant that does my dry cleaning, offering me a discount for dry cleaning brought in today. What a great idea!</em></strong> In the past, he had always sent out text messages or email letting me know when my clothes were available to be picked up, but he had never sent out messages with weekly specials or daily offers. I find this a great way to market a drycleaning business as I often receive offers from other businesses such as restaurants that I visit, offering specials and I must admit, I have been persuaded by these offers. So why not the dry cleaners too? <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am far from being a marketing expert, but when you really think about the impact of text messaging marketing, the returns from your efforts have to be one of the best in all of marketing for dry cleaners. In fact, text marketing is becoming more popular than email marketing for many businesses such as dry cleaners, fast oil changes and restaurants just to name a few. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, the potential database is astounding. Think about the number of cell phone users in the US, it is huge. Secondly, almost every text message that is sent out gets read. In fact it has been reported that text message marketing has as much as a 98% read rate with coupon redemption rates reported to be as much as 9%. <strong><em>How often do you get a text message and delete it without reading it?</em></strong> Then, take into the consideration the relatively low cost of sending text messages. You could text offers for a multitude of different scenarios. Occasions such as a birthday offer or perhaps a discount for those days that you know will be slow or how about a special on comforters, alterations, etc. The possibilities are endless. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It seems that many of the Point of Sale software systems that dry cleaners use do offer an email marketing and management plan. It would also seem that having a texting/SMS marketing plan would be a great feature, however I have not found any of the POS software that have the SMS feature.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> ( If your software does offer a program such as this, please </span><a href="mailto:michaelrmiller@drycleanersnetwork.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">contact me</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> or feel free to leave a comment).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-5606848-10907485" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Email marketing powered by SimplyCast.com" border="0" height="250" src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-5606848-10907485" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
While doing research on the idea, I found <a href="http://trumpia.com/" target="_blank">Trumpia</a> a company that does offer sms blast marketing, email marketing, instant message marketing and social network marketing. Trumpia has a <a href="http://trumpia.com/main/customers.php" target="_blank">list of customers</a> consisting of companies such as <a href="http://www.mcdonalds.com/" target="_blank">McDonalds</a>, <a href="http://www.holidayinn.com/" target="_blank">Holiday Inn</a>, <a href="http://www.goldsgym.com/" target="_blank">Gold's Gym</a>, <span id="goog_7585538"></span><a href="http://www.remax.com/" target="_blank">Remax<span id="goog_7585539"></span></a> and <a href="http://jiffylube.com/" target="_blank">Jiffy Lube</a> just to name a few.<br />
<a href="http://sms-marketing.simplycast.com/" target="_blank">SimplyCast</a> is another company that has everything to offer including SMS marketing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, when you have a chance, take a look at text messaging/SMS marketing. It may be the competitive advantage you are looking for. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-90385667969101545892012-01-16T19:35:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:49:25.887-04:00OSHA and Dry Cleaning<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpPiASL0AjBqns0VDt7e8a-pHWX2FcIzeNl4s1whB3baLRi6LATcFSoQrBEnUTAidfXkibToAlMR1GkdQslBJeU75QEaxY1WuDbeMJMaCQpOtZ0nvidrdG-HymaCbqMjpXpSbitumO0I/s1600/IMG00092-20110407-1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dry cleaners should learn about OSHA regulations and strive to be in compliance." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpPiASL0AjBqns0VDt7e8a-pHWX2FcIzeNl4s1whB3baLRi6LATcFSoQrBEnUTAidfXkibToAlMR1GkdQslBJeU75QEaxY1WuDbeMJMaCQpOtZ0nvidrdG-HymaCbqMjpXpSbitumO0I/s320/IMG00092-20110407-1105.jpg" width="320" /></a>Let's face it, the idea of an <a href="http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/drycleaning/index.html" target="_blank">OSHA</a> inspection scares the hell out of most small business owners and perhaps it scares dry cleaners even more so. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Many of the drycleaners I meet are usually so involved with the day to day issues such as production, payroll, maintenance and managing empolyees that they do not either have the time or take the time to get caught up on the regulations and latest changes to the regulations. I have been there and I know how it is. The boiler is down, your counter person called in sick and payroll must be done today. I know, who has time to look at regulations?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, when you have the time, educating yourself in regards to the hazards, regulations and operating procedures can go a long way towards easing the anxiety you may face when subject to an OSHA inspection. If you absolutely cannot find the time, hiring a consultant with OSHA and dry cleaning experience may be the best way to make sure you comply. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="http://www.dol.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Labor's</a> website for OSHA has many reference aids that can help you to control and prevent many of the hazards we face in our day to day operations. I would recommend taking the time and exploring this highly informative website and remember <strong><em>OSHA is not a small town in <a href="http://www.travelwisconsin.com/" target="_blank">Wisconsin</a>!</em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*If you are an OSHA consultant with experience in working with dry cleaners I would like to offer you the opportunity to share your knowledge and profile your business while being a guest author here on <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/" target="_blank">the dry cleaners blog</a>. Contact me at: <a href="mailto:MichalRMiller@drycleanersnetwork.com">MichalRMiller@drycleanersnetwork.com</a>.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.643620899999995 -84.5459109 33.8543699 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-70382148108128615302012-01-14T11:05:00.000-05:002012-04-15T11:49:55.760-04:00Water Separator Maintenance.The separation of water from solvent is the last step of the drying and distillation processes and is a very common source for odor in dry cleaning solvents. Often when these odors occur, they cannot be removed from the solvent and this can result in having to dispose of all the solvent in the machine. A very high price to pay, given the prices of solvents these days. Thats why cleaning your water separator should become a very regular part of your dry cleaning machine maintenance program. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0IdgeqlCxsvUHqyjX2tn1mkMMkNvhX48rIothyphenhyphenFqchyk4vv14ZN91uFB3Tl6ictoA6oj_aYExwlTrbvMgx1Wv49qV3KbyDIvm-uIfVGRbo3flv6bkgeqtMwSDi_g3l9Si7GZVJrlNw0/s1600/IMG00494-20110728-1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Clean your separator in your dry cleaning machine to prevent odors in dry cleaning" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0IdgeqlCxsvUHqyjX2tn1mkMMkNvhX48rIothyphenhyphenFqchyk4vv14ZN91uFB3Tl6ictoA6oj_aYExwlTrbvMgx1Wv49qV3KbyDIvm-uIfVGRbo3flv6bkgeqtMwSDi_g3l9Si7GZVJrlNw0/s320/IMG00494-20110728-1037.jpg" width="240" /></a>All dry to dry machines have a water separator. Perc machines are equipped with one separator, while a good number of <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/solvents/df-2000-fluid/">hydrocarbon</a> and <a href="http://www.greenearthcleaning.com/">Green Earth</a> machines will have two separators. It is in these separators that the solvent that is recovered in the drying and distillation processes is collected. The solvent that is collected will contain water. The water must be separated from the solvent and disposed of, while the solvent is returned in pristine condition to be used again in the cleaning process. <strong><em>(For those not in the dry cleaning industry, dry cleaners are essentially recycling their solvent and returning it to "like new" condition to be used again. This process is repeated over and over allowing dry cleaners to clean huge amounts of clothes with very little solvent actually being lost in the process). </em></strong><br />
<br />
Solvent and water are separated by the effects of gravity, in which the heavier liquid settles to the bottom of the separator and the lighter liquid will rise to the top of the separator. With the specific gravity of perc being much heavier than water, the perc will settle to the bottom in perc separator's, while in the case of hydrocarbon and Green Earth, these solvents are lighter than water and will rise to the top of the separator. <br />
<br />
Some other factors that can affect the separation process are:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Temperature of the Solvent and Water being reclaimed. </strong>Separation occurs more efficiently at cooler temperatures. If solvent/water is too warm you may see only partial separation, the separator may look hazy or cloudy and solvent may be lost due to this poor separation. (Note: in machines with two separators, hazy/cloudy solvent is normal in the first separator, but not in the second separator).</li>
<li><strong>Reclaiming too Fast. </strong>This is quite often seen as a slight "boil over" of the still. Solvent is being reclaimed so fast that there can be a disturbance in the water layer of the separator. The separator my be filling so fast that there is not enough residence time to allow the solvent/water to separate completely.</li>
<li><strong>Separator is Too Small. </strong>There are a few machines that have been manufactured that have a water separator that may be undersized. This does not allow enough residence time for adequate separation and the result is solvent being returned to the machine mixed with a small amount of water. </li>
</ul>
Cleaning your water separator is not a big job and should be easily accomplished in a short time period. Follow your manufacturers recommendation for frequency and cleaning procedures, and pay special attention to the manufacturers instructions for priming the separator after cleaning. Some separators will need to be primed and some will not. Check with your equipment manufacturer or equipment distributor to determine the proper procedure for your model of machine.<strong> Failure to routinely maintain your water separator can lead to unnecessary headache and expense, make it a part of your maintenance program.</strong> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-56145578244532439732012-01-12T18:06:00.001-05:002012-01-14T12:37:45.069-05:00Check Out Tri -State Laundry Equipment<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you are a dry cleaner, laundry or coin-op in North Carolina, South Carolina or Southern Virginia and you are in need of <a href="http://www.tristatelaundryequipment.com/c-6-dry-cleaning-new-equipment.aspx?skinid=2" target="_blank">new dry cleaning equipment</a>, <a href="http://www.tristatelaundryequipment.com/c-7-dry-cleaning-used-equipment.aspx?skinid=2" target="_blank">used drycleaning equipment</a>, <a href="http://www.tristatelaundryequipment.com/c-9-laundry-new-equipment.aspx" target="_blank">laundry equipment</a>, <a href="http://www.tristatelaundryequipment.com/c-12-coin-operated-new-equipment.aspx" target="_blank">coin operated equipment</a> or are need of service work, look no further than my friends over at <a href="http://www.tristatelaundryequipment.com/" target="_blank">Tri-State Laundry Equipment Company</a> in Greensboro/Winston Salem, NC. These guys are top notch and run a first class organization. With their 55,000 square foot facility as well as their impressive inventory of equipment and parts, as well as the years of experience they have, you definitely will want to talk to them when you are making your next dry cleaning or laundry equipment purchase. Tell them you read about it here on <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Cleaners Blog</a>.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tristatelaundryequipment.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyLnrb0KumTJ6Blv76F2rprdAOldiqF-It6WFTWEkMAk-0YGPPe33QhLKBE2L2ku0_gzpO-9FGDGwqFt1av0-rStS8dN6tV1hcCUwiNRkVBm7KKYG4qRkVGLQPAdqq3NapPuECctbHEk/s1600/Tri+State+Laundry+Logo.png" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Winston-Salem, NC, USA36.0998596 -80.24421635.9972221 -80.402144499999991 36.2024971 -80.0862875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-33765278900282291302012-01-10T21:48:00.001-05:002012-04-15T11:51:01.746-04:00The Dry Cleaners Blog is Back.A very hectic schedule for the last quarter of 2011 made it tough to keep up with regular postings on <a href="http://www.thedrycleanersblog.com/" target="_blank">The Dry Cleaners Blog</a>. 2012 is here now and it is my plan to keep the blog posts coming on a regular schedule again. Hopefully bringing useful tips, tidbits, insights, information and industry happenings from one fellow dry cleaner to the other fellow dry cleaners that read this blog.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/77840169?access_key=key-1vz9fwi6ltbp9udf36mp" target="_blank"><strong>One item of interest here in the South are some very informative customer service seminars<span id="goog_1232391456"></span></strong></a>. If you are in South Carolina or Charlotte, NC there are customer service serminars being presented this week in several areas and the best part is they are FREE! These are being presented by the <a href="http://www.sefa.org/" target="_blank">Southeastern Fabricare Association</a> and <a href="http://www.ncalc.org/Welcome_to_NCALC.html" target="_blank">NCALC</a>. The seminars will be featuring industry expert Frank Brierchek of <a href="http://www.phenixsupply.com/" target="_blank">Phenix Supply Company</a>. These seminars are sure to be informative and as if this were not enough, <a href="http://www.sefa.org/" target="_blank">SEFA</a> will be bringing their <a href="http://www.sefa.org/index.php/events-a-seminars/7-educational-opportunities/66-sefa-management-and-customer-service-seminar-series" target="_blank">Management and Customer Service Seminar Series</a> to the <a href="http://francismarionhotel.com/" target="_blank">Francis Marion Hotel</a> in Charleston, SC this weekend. <br />
<br />
So if you can make it or you can send your employees, don't miss out on this opportunity to pick up some pointers from the industry experts at these seminars. Also, stay tuned for the next post here on The Dry Cleaners Blog.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Charleston, SC, USA32.7765656 -79.930921632.5629571 -80.2467786 32.9901741 -79.615064600000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-87131909367256719762011-09-02T22:09:00.000-04:002012-01-22T19:11:00.765-05:00Happy Labor Day.I am wishing for all to have a happy, restful, labor day weekend, filled with joy, pride and many special moments to remember on this <a href="http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm">Labor Day</a>. Especially you dry cleaners!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS4TcPgusjvwbjwgwtCoeKqo955_qttBsUq47DwimVSoplQVeIAQKX9u-bJ_2rGdB_8PPTGqVr1gdbvv9DsmVYyC2-ItmCbdaxdK_tqsI9HwG685rWQWiMwdf6USE7CkSh_HrVDTBfm8/s1600/three_flags_celebrate_labor_day_postcard-p239727190739272372qibm_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS4TcPgusjvwbjwgwtCoeKqo955_qttBsUq47DwimVSoplQVeIAQKX9u-bJ_2rGdB_8PPTGqVr1gdbvv9DsmVYyC2-ItmCbdaxdK_tqsI9HwG685rWQWiMwdf6USE7CkSh_HrVDTBfm8/s320/three_flags_celebrate_labor_day_postcard-p239727190739272372qibm_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6Detroit, MI, USA42.331427 -83.045753842.1436165 -83.3616108 42.519237499999996 -82.7298968tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883285511253573190.post-90370299698164291702011-08-28T17:10:00.000-04:002012-04-15T11:52:08.050-04:00Ring Around The Collar.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Are your shirt collars coming as clean as you would like? Have your customers complained about ring around the collar?<b></b></b> If so, you may be in need of a concentrated type of laundry pre-treatment, also known as a collar and cuff spotter. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ring around the collar may be one the top laundry issues faced by the drycleaner and one of the top concerns of the dry cleaning consumer. Type ring around the collar into one of the search engines such as <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a> or <a href="http://www.yahoo.com/">Yahoo</a> once and you will be surprised at the number of websites, blogs and other information is available on the web addressing this issue and offering home remedies (direct competition for us dry cleaners), more evidence that as a professional dry cleaner, you have to get this right or the customer may decide to process these garments at home. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even with the most sophisticated laundry processes, using proper detergents, water temperatures, water levels and wash times, there are often garments that come into the dry cleaning plant with that stubborn, oily type of dirt that is most often found on the collars and cuffs of laundered shirts, the type that is not effectively removed in the wash. Now, I am a firm believer in setting up the wash machine and dry cleaning machine to perform as much of the work as possible, but you will always run into those garments that will need some special attention in order to give the garment back to the customer in "like new" condition and unfortunately, collars and cuffs do require some extra attention. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The dry cleaning consumer quite often chooses their dry cleaner based on the quality of their laundered shirts. So returning a nice bright, well pressed shirt, with no ring around the collar is vitally important to the success of the professional dry cleaner. Laundered shirts are quite often priced to attract customers and this often can lead to very low profit margins for those garments. When you have to re-process a laundered shirt due to unsatisfactory results from the first cleaning, you are most likely operating at a loss on that particular piece. Using an effective collar and cuff pre-treatment is important. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My choice for a collar and cuff pre-treatment is made by <a href="http://www.4streets.com/">R.R. Street & Co. Inc.</a> and is called <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/products/stain-removal/collar-power/">COLLAR POWER</a>. </div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
COLLAR POWER is very concentrated with up to 3 times the active ingredients of similar products. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
COLLAR POWER will do much of the scrubbing for you, especially when you use the unique spray applicator. </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
COLLAR POWER rinses very easily in hot, warm or cold water. <strong><em>This makes it very effective for use in dry/pickup/drop stores and for routes.</em></strong> </div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
COLLAR POWER is very versatile and will work on khaki's and golf shirts. It works well in homestyle washers as well, (my wife uses it as a general laundry spotter in our home).</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here in the south we are still in the midst of a major heat wave. Shirt collars and cuffs are definitely sweaty and grimey. Save yourself some time and labor, use a quality collar and cuff pre-treatment. Keep your customers happy. Save yourself some money and prevent those costly reruns. Try COLLAR POWER in your plant and in your home. COLLAR POWER is <a href="http://www.4streets.com/index.php/find-a-distributor/">available through STREETS authorized distributors</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539