Dry Cleaning A Guide to Understanding Care Labels and Instructions
When it comes to taking care of our clothes, there are different methods and techniques that we can use. One popular method is dry cleaning, which involves using solvents instead of water to clean fabrics. Dry cleaning is commonly used for delicate or special garments that cannot be washed in a regular washing machine.
In this guide, we will provide you with a better understanding of care labels and instructions. By the end, you will have all the necessary information to properly care for your dry clean only garments.
Understanding Care Labels
Care labels are attached to clothing items to provide instructions on how to properly clean and maintain them. These labels include symbols and written instructions.
The symbols on care labels represent different cleaning methods and may include:
- Washing: A symbol of a bucket or tub filled with water indicates that the garment can be washed normally.
- Dry Cleaning: A circle with letters “P” or “F” inside indicates that the garment should be dry cleaned.
- Do Not Wash: A cross over a bucket or tub means that the garment cannot be washed and must be taken to a professional dry cleaner.
- Bleaching: A triangle symbol indicates whether chlorine bleach can be used on the garment. An empty triangle means non-chlorine bleach can be used, while a filled triangle means chlorine bleach is safe to use.
- Ironing: A symbol of an iron indicates the maximum temperature that can be used for ironing the garment.
- Drying: A square with a circle inside represents whether the garment can be tumble dried. An empty circle means regular drying is safe, while a filled circle means low heat should be used.
Dry Cleaning Process
Dry cleaning is done by professional cleaners who use specialized machines and solvents to clean fabrics. The process followed by dry cleaning services involves several steps:
- Pre-treatment: Before being placed in the dry cleaning machine, any stains or spots on the garment may be treated to help them come out more easily.
- Cleaning: The garments are placed in a large machine that resembles a front-loading washing machine but uses special solvents instead of water. These solvents do not penetrate the fibers of the fabric, making them safe for delicate and non-water-resistant fabrics.
- Drying: After cleaning, the garments are dried in a specialized dryer that removes any remaining solvent from the fabric.
- Finishing: Once dry, the garments are steamed or pressed to remove wrinkles and restore their shape.
Some additional tips for properly caring for your dry clean only garments include:
- Always check the care label before taking your garment to the cleaners to ensure it is suitable for dry cleaning.
- Point out any stains or spots to the dry cleaner so they can be treated properly.
- Store your dry clean only garments in a cool, dry place to avoid damage from humidity and sunlight.
- If possible, air out your garments before storing them to remove any remaining solvent odor.
- Consider investing in a home dry cleaning kit for small touch-ups between professional cleanings. These kits usually include a stain remover and specialized dryer sheets infused with solvents.
Need Help With Dry Cleaning in Dubai?Contact Modern Laundry!
We know how important it is for you to receive proper care for dry clean only garments. That is why we offer premium dry cleaning services in Dubai to help you keep your clothes looking their best.
Our team of trained professionals uses state-of-the-art equipment and environmentally friendly solvents to ensure that your garments are cleaned thoroughly while protecting their delicate fibers. We also pay special attention to stains and spots, using specialized techniques to remove them without causing any damage.