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Content about Silk

March 19, 2013
Necktie Cleaning as Much Art as Skill

CONCORD, N.C. — Much like the rebirth of natural fibers 25 years ago, many cleaners have little experience in the proper cleaning and finishing of a necktie.

CONCORD, N.C. — I am hoping we have turned the corner on the “casual workplace” trend and will begin to see an increase in the neckties to be cleaned. Much like the rebirth of natural fibers 25 years ago, many cleaners have little experience in the proper cleaning and finishing of a necktie.

Men have an emotional attachment to their ties. Favorite ties are worn until the edges and knot areas are threadbare. I am guilty of having more than 50 ties, but I wear one from the same eight or 10 on most occasions. My red tie with diamond shapes of royal blue and silver has been retired but still brings back memories of my first consulting job.

Cleaning a necktie is as much art as it is skill. It involves knowing more about what not to do than about aggressive techniques. Ties are not cheap. Polyester ties often sell at between $20 and $50; a good silk tie may sell for around $140. At the point where emotion and investment meet, the cleaner can easily find a profitable item.

July 19, 2012
White Wine and Word of Mouth

CONCORD, N.C. — Swearing about cleaning results instead of swearing at cleaner

CONCORD, N.C. — This is the story of a dress, but not your normal dress. Cleaning this dress is the way to get your customers talking and to set yourself apart from the “me too” operators.

This dress will get the customer talking to her friends and neighbors and make her your customer for life. This dress is also a wonderful way to review the stain-removal process. Here is the story of what it takes to get a customer swearing about the results instead of swearing at the cleaner.

The floor-length maroon silk dress featured a mixture of clear and silver sequins on its bodice. The care label read simply Dry Clean Only. The mother of the groom had worn it for the first time to the wedding ceremony and the reception that followed. There, someone had bumped her elbow, causing her to spill a full glass of white wine down the front of her new dress.

June 4, 2010
The Don’ts of Good Stain Removal

CHICAGO — I usually devote my time to explaining what should be done in order to achieve effective stain removal. This month’s column is devoted to spotting don’ts — the no-nos I see and the results I am asked to correct. Some may seem like no-brainers, but they happen every day in plants across the country.

SHIRTS ARE LAUNDERED; A SILK WEDDING DRESS IS NOT

March 5, 2010
Facing Your Fabric Fears

Too many drycleaners in the industry have never taken the time or made the effort to acquire a working knowledge of fibers, fabrics, dyes and trims. This means that they’re ill-equipped to deal with many of the garments coming across their counters.

December 4, 2009
How Can I Prevent Breaks When Wetcleaning Silk?

Q: What’s the best way to prevent the white break lines that sometimes appear when wetcleaning silk? What’s the best way to repair the breaks that do appear?

A: When “breaks” or “spider webbing” occur after wetcleaning silk fabrics, it’s usually the result of:

March 18, 2009
What Are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Paying Per Piece?

Q: We currently pay our finishers by the hour. To reduce production costs, we are thinking of paying them on a “piecework” basis. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

A: There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when deciding on a method of compensation.

QUALITY STANDARDS

October 10, 2008
The Real-World Science of Spotting

I’m amazed at the reaction of some “cleaners” when they first realize that stain removal is as much an art as it is a science. But one must have the science mastered before crossing over to the “artist” side of the profession.

December 3, 2007
A Final Curtain Call

Some drycleaners refer to cleaning drapes, curtains, bedspreads and other household fabrics as something they must cope with in order to keep customers. But being able to clean these items well is a big incentive for customers to bring in everything they need cleaned. It’s a service that all customers need — and every customer expects his or her cleaner to “do it all.”

November 14, 2007
A Tour of Haute Couture

America’s Best Cleaners (ABC), a certification organization for high-end drycleaners, took a number of affiliates to Paris to take a behind-the-scenes look at haute couture last month as part of its ongoing educational programs.