FAQ

One supplier of dry cleaning solutions put it best; “There are literally thousands of dry cleaners in the Houston area but only four or five know how to clean clothes. Twin Oaks is one of them.” Environmentally friendly, Twin Oaks utilizes a solution that is easy on your clothes but tough when it comes to cleaning. While others boast of being “environmental”, the fact of the matter is their dry cleaning solution doesn’t clean well. Each load of dry cleaning at Twin Oaks gets a fresh supply of dry cleaning solution. There’s no bothersome smell from your clothes.

Professional cleaning is a lot more than one process. We employ a number of techniques to give your garments that “like new” appearance. Professional cleaning can be broken down into three general categories –dry cleaning, wet cleaning, and laundering.

Dry cleaning uses fluids to remove soil and stains from fabric. In fact, the term “dry cleaning” is misleading; it is called dry cleaning because the fluid contains no water and does not penetrate the fibers as water does. Most machines today wash and dry the garments in the one continuous process known as “dry to dry”.

In over 80 years of researching fabrics and dry cleaning solvents, the International Fabricare Institute has never seen any indication of the dry cleaning process wearing out fabrics. Not only do stains set with age, rendering garments unwearable, but ground-in dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing deterioration of fibers. In addition, microscopic insects are attracted to soiled clothes causing further damage. Some people mistakenly recommend spot cleaning and pressing in lieu of dry cleaning a garment. By pressing a garment before it is cleaned, unseen dirt, stains, and body oils may be permanently set. Although it’s matter of personal preference how frequently people dry clean their clothes, consumers should know they can’t overclean their clothes.

It’s the term used by professionals for washing clothing in water. Like in the dry cleaning process, wet cleaning starts with the pretreatment of spots and stains using special cleaning agents. We use specially formulated detergents from Sanitone® and gentler agitation for delicate fabrics. Wet cleaning is the most effective method to remove water-based stains.

Special detergents, additives, and finishes set commercial laundry apart from home laundering. Starch, if requested, is added during the wash cycle, so the entire garment receives the treatment. The garments are still damp when pressed. Shirts are put on a series of presses that dry the garment during the process, which gives the crisper finish.

Not necessarily. The Care Label Rule states that only one suitable method of care must be on the label. Cleaners usually follow the care instructions, unless otherwise requested. If you want your washable items dry cleaned, the cleaner may ask you to sign a damage waiver.

No. The dry cleaning process is carefully controlled by professional cleaners. Excessive shrinkage is usually caused by improper preshrinking by the manufacturer.

Club soda is usually the first thing people reach for and it is often a mistake! Club soda is effective on some drink spills and assorted food stains but it can also “set” stains, spread them and make their future removal difficult. You’re better off doing nothing to the stain.

Most but not all stains can be completely removed even by an expert stain removal technician. Many factors determine if a stain will be removed, including the type of stain, the fiber type and color of fabric, and the length of time the stain has remained on the fabric.

I spilled spaghetti sauce on my blouse during lunch and I had to go back to work, what should I do? When you put water on a napkin and rub the stain, you rough up the fabric, dull the dye and break hundreds of fibers. If the blouse is washable, then use a little water to dilute the stain and then stop! If the blouse can only be dry cleaned, then blot it with a dry napkin and try to leave it alone and take it to be cleaned as soon as possible.

It’s not quite that simple. While cleaners occasionally make mistakes, more often they are blamed for that which is beyond their control. Everything that happens to a garment during its life impacts how it will respond to dry cleaning or washing.

Garment Production: How the garment was made, what trims and/or buttons were used, what inner linings are hidden, how it was dyed or finished, and what fibers were used all have an effect on cleanability.

After You’ve Purchased the Garment: Exposure to light, atmospheric gases, and soils, as well as contact with perspiration, personal care products, food, beverages, and soiled surfaces will affect the appearance of an item after cleaning. Frequently worn clothing may show color loss, as well as thinning of the fabric. These are beyond the control of the cleaner.

During Cleaning: The cleaner cannot always determine if dyes, trims, or materials will respond well to the label’s care instructions. Many stains and color losses present on a garment are not revealed until the item is cleaned and pressed. The only part of the process the cleaner has control over is the cleaning process itself. Yes, sometimes mistakes are made. For example, the system may have too much moisture, which may result in felting shrinkage of wool fabrics, or the solvent could be dirty, which could cause light colors to look dingy. These instances are rare, but they do happen.