Common Questions Asked Of The Clothing Doctor
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| Why does The Clothing Doctor need to write books and make DVD's about clothing care? |
 | Many clothing stores ask this exact question!
Short answer ... 35% of all garments that are ruined, are ruined by consumers when trying to wash or remove stains! When you buy clothing, you wear it once, and then it usually needs to be washed or drycleaned -- especially if it has a stain, perspiration or soil.
What's the first thing you do at this point: You take action by hopefully re-reading the care label. The first time you read it was in the store, BEFORE you bought the garment! Once you know the preferred method of cleaning, you have to make a decision based on the fabric, color and if there are any stains.
That's where I step in. I help people navigate the clothing-care maze and help them save precious dollars and time spent. Why spend hours shopping and then damage or ruin a favorite garment the first time it gets stained or needs cleaning? |
What is a Stain Emergency?
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| A "Stain Emergency" is a stain that occurs at the most inconvenient time ... At a social event, at work, in a restaurant or on a plane, when driving a car. The best approach is to blot the stained area with a dry white cloth and STOP!
Count to 10, identify the stain as water-based or oily, and proceed slowly from there -- by stopping and seeking help or by applying the correct and safe stain remover.
However, there are somethings you can do in a stain emergency! If the stain is water-based, such as soda, coffee, wine ... you can use the Tide-to-Go pen to improve or remove these stains. This process works very well for washable clothing and, if used sparingly, can also work on dryclean only clothing.
If the stain is oil-based, such as food oil, french fry grease or butter, it's best to BLOT with a dry white cloth or napkin and then STOP! These stains are best treated by your drycleaner or washed at home with the new Whirlpool Duet Steam washer, which brings the water to a high enough temperature to break down many of these oily stains. |
How did you get started in the clothing industry?
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| I come by it honestly; I am a 4th generation drycleaner and fabricare specialist. I started as a wash boy in my grandfather's cleaners making hangers and scrubbing collars and continued my exploration during high school at my father's cleaners. That's where my appreciation for fabrics began. I furthered my education by learning about clothing from the retail end. |
For 15 years you owned an exclusive drycleaning business. What was the most important lesson you learned from taking care of people's clothing?
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| I learned that people are passionate about the care of their clothing; that they invest a lot of time and money into it (clothing); that they know very little about vital, preventive care for their clothing. I also learned that most fine clothing needs extraordinary care to last a long time. Most importantly, it became clear to me that people need someone to guide them through this maze. |
What is the one stain that no drycleaner can remove? What is the most unusual stain you've ever seen? What is your biggest drycleaning triumph?
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| I cannot be certain about this, but I believe the most stubborn stain is Superglue. The only way to remove this stain is with a pair of scissors. Second in line are yellow stains; oily stains from clear salad dressing, splatters of oil during cooking; sugar stains from fruit squirts; and liquid spills of all kinds. These stains — left alone for a few days to a few weeks — can and will turn a shade of yellow and yellow is often a sign of permanence. |
What should we look for in a great drycleaner?
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| A great drycleaner must first embrace perfection — which in this case is the "RTW" rule — that clothing must be Ready To Wear after cleaning. This is a powerful concept — but in a nutshell — it means that all loose threads are snipped, loose buttons and open seams resewn, stains safely removed, and clothing is professionally pressed without impressions or shine. Additionally, there should be no sign hanging behind the drycleaner's counter that says, "Not responsible for buttons, trims, and zippers." And, the cleaner must be responsive to your needs, especially when a problem occurs. |
What is the number one mistake people make when buying clothing?
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| The number one mistake people make is failing to recognize the relationship between the art of shopping for clothing and the subsequent care the clothing will need. Examples of smart shopping practices are; recognizing quality fabrics; reading content and care labels; knowing which fabrics require the highest maintenance; and making a conscious decision about the intended use of the clothing before you begin shopping.
With this in mind, try to buy clothing that you love in the store and love at home, so it becomes the 30% that you always wear. Buy clothing that works for you -- and makes you feel confident and vivacious! |
It seems that lots of drycleaners use plastic bags and disposable hangers that are less than environmentally friendly. Is there a solution?
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| As with many other industries — specifically restaurants with "take-out" services — disposable plastic products are a concern. Some drycleaners are using recyclable paper or cloth clothing bags, and many cleaners are recycling their plastic bags. Many cleaners are also promoting the use reusable plastic hangers — asking customers to return them with each visit. Some cleaners offer small "hanger caddies" that customers can use to stack their metal hangers until they can be returned to the cleaner for reuse. This movement has been slow, but perhaps you and I can help as spokespersons to make people aware of the need for these services. |
In dressing to look successful, what is the most important rule?
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| You must first believe in yourself and know what is best for you; or hire someone that can get you in touch with what is best for your image (a personal shopper is free!). Recognizing your best colors, prints, and fabrics starts the ball rolling, getting the best fit is next, and then keeping your clothing clean and well pressed completes the package. |
With so many companies embracing casual Friday's, is having the right clothing less important in business than it used to be? More important?
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| The trend is heading back toward professionalism — dressing for success. With business falling off a bit, it is more important now, than ever before, to look more professional, not less. Professional image is still equated with professional dress. |
