Confidence in meeting the demand is high given the overwhelming generosity of the community at large and Best’s campaign partners. In addition to the Salvation Army, Coats For Connecticut sponsors include Eyewitness News WFSB-TV3, Young’s Printing/Fast Signs, and Two Men And A Truck. Their support of the campaign continues to increase awareness of the growing need in the community and the relative ease of donating to the program. Donations from schools, churches, and businesses conducting their own coat drives are also encouraged and have been a big factor in helping keep Connecticut warm for the past 10 years. All donated coats are cleaned for free and delivered weekly shelters and centers in Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, New London and Waterbury for distribution to individuals and families struggling to get through the cold winter months. Since the campaign’s inception in 2008, more than 107,000 coats have been collected, cleaned and delivered.

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To Dry or Wet Clean?
Since wool and cashmere are natural fibers, they can be dry cleaned or wet washed as long as a gentle cleaning solution and cold temperatures are used. Professional dry cleaning is always a good option if you don’t have the time to care for your sweaters at home, or you are concerned about set stains or a developing hole. Be sure to use an eco-friendly dry cleaner – abrasive solutions can give your sweaters a stiff, glazed feel and break down the their fibers. The GreenEarth cleaning method used by Best Cleaners is gentle enough to use on the finest wool and cashmere but strong enough to remove tough stains and ground-in dirt. The GreenEarth cleaning method is free of harsh chemicals, which means your sweaters stay soft, colors stay vibrant, and whites stay bright. Be sure to alert your cleaning professional to any stains, pulls, or holes that will require extra attention. The sooner a stain or small pull is tended to, the less likely it will cause permanent damage.

If you prefer to care for your sweaters at home, always use a mild detergent such as Woolite, baby shampoo or dish soap, and hand or machine wash in cold water. If washing by hand, turn the sweater inside out and let soak for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. To dry, gently fold up (never wring) to remove excess water and then lay flat on a towel or drying rack. You can also use your washing machine to clean cashmere and wool. Put the garment, turned inside out, in a laundry or mesh bag before placing in the machine, and select the gentle cycle on cold water. Remove from the wash and follow the same steps for air drying – never machine dry, which causes shrinkage and can deform the shape. If needed, iron out wrinkles using a cool temperature setting.

Avoid Friction and Hanging
Pills are normal for any natural fiber and are a sign of friction from wear, harsh cleaning solutions, rubbing, wringing, and coming in contact with other garments. To limit the amount of friction, clean wool and cashmere after two to three wears. Wearing a t-shirt or camisole under your sweater can prolong the time between washings. In between washings, brush in a downward motion to remove unwanted debris and remove any fabric pills with a cashmere comb or sweater stone. Never yank or pull up pills with your fingers – the delicate yarn can be permanently damaged. And never hang a knit sweater – the fibers may stretch and become misshapen. Instead fold and store on a shelf away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Moth Protection and Other Storage Musts
Cleaning your sweaters and then storing them properly, especially at the end of the season, is the most reliable line of attack against holes and wrinkles. When putting your knits away for the season, place in a breathable garment bag or storage box in a cool, dry area. To prevent wrinkles, you can wrap each sweater in acid-free tissue paper. It is critical that each sweater is cleaned before storing it for the off-season. Moths, carpet beetles, and silverfish are attracted to human scents, so you’ll want to get rid of any perfume or food odors prior to storage. As an added precaution, place some cedar wood moth repellents or a lavender sachet in the container. Also double check each sweater for holes at the end of the season. The best time for repair by a professional is before you store it away, not when you pull it out to wear several months later.

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Supporting the Estuary Center and the important work being done was an easy decision given the company’s initiative to become a green cleaner. Best was one of the first in Connecticut to make the decision and financial investment to convert to an environementally-friendly drycleaning process, earning recognition and a Green Circle award from the Connecticut Department of Environmental for voluntarily implementing a facility-wide pollution prevention plan in 2002. Shawn commented on the Old Lyme opening, adding “We are excited to be in the Old Lyme community and look forward to helping keep it clean and green for years to come. We are happy to lend our support to the Estuary Center – their mission is important and impacts all of us. I encourage everyone to learn more about their efforts.”

Pictured Above: Norm Ravagnani and Shawn McCann of Best Cleaners present a donation check to Claudia Weicker, Nell Twining, Elsie Childs, John Forbis and Nancy Meinke of the CT Audubon Society’s Roger Tory Estuary Center in Old Lyme.

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Size It Up. If your child has yet to reach puberty, growth spurts can be unexpected and unpredictable. Limbs may grow quickly while waistlines remain the same. What fits your child in August may no longer fit three months into the school year. Given the cost to purchase school uniform pieces, consider purchasing a size larger than needed, especially if your child seems to be in between sizes or the school’s supply of sizes is limited, and then have alterations done to personalize the fit.

Hem Not Haw. Adjusting the hems of pants, skirts, skorts, and blazers to decrease or increase the length is usually a fairly simple and quick process when tackled by a professional. If you are shortening items, be sure to make your tailor aware that you plan on having the hems taken down again as your child grows. He or she will then know to leave a few inches of fabric for the hem as an allowance.

Contract or Expand. The fit of a waistband is probably the one area where there is no standard– there is a wide variance between styles, manufacturers, and people’s body shapes. As children grow, waistlines may get larger before legs or arms grow. The good news is that most school uniform waistbands can be taken in or let out with relative ease to accommodate your child’s current and future body dimensions.

Box Out. Buying a size up in shirts and dresses can stretch your school uniform budget over the long term, but it often means the fit will look a bit “boxy” until your child grows into the size. Most styles will allow for the sides to be taken in, and then let back out over time as needed. A professional tailor can tell you ahead of time if the sides can be tailored and the process can be reversed. The same applies to altering the length of shirt or dress sleeves. Most can be shortened then lengthened, but be sure to check before you have any work done.

The Long to Shorts of It. If the hem on your child’s uniform pants have been let down to maximum length and they are still coming up short, it may be time to repurpose them. Consider having them cut down in length and turned into shorts, provided that the fabric is still in good condition.

Zip It or Button Up. Daily wear and washings can take a toll on buttons and zippers. Having missing or broken ones doesn’t mean the end of the road. Having them replaced or repaired will breathe new life into your child’s school uniform. At Best Cleaners, most repairs are done in 24-48 hours with no appointment necessary, drastically reducing the wardrobe downtime.

Patch On, Patch Off. Many schools also require that a patch with the school crest or name be placed on blazers, sweaters or vests. For a professional look and fabric safe process, let an expert handle the sewing on as well as the removal.

The post BEST TIPS FOR SCHOOL UNIFORM ALTERATIONS appeared first on Best Cleaners.

Sunscreen. Most sunscreen products are greasy which requires pre-treating the stain with a clear color dish soap or a grease and stain remover like Lestoil. Gently dab it on with a clean, white cotton cloth or towel before machine washing in hot water (double check garment label to make sure this is safe for the fabric).

Perspiration. Sweat stains occur when the aluminum in your antiperspirant or deodorant combines with the salt in your sweat. To prevent them, the best defense is a good offense. Apply a stain remover (lemon juice works too) to the armpit area of your shirt or dress each time before washing. This will help stop the stains from forming, which are much more difficult to remove once they set in.

Grass. Most grass stains will come out on their own in the wash. To be on the safe side, or for ground-in grass, pre-treat any signs of green with a stain remover. Then very gently scrub the pre-treated areas before throwing in the wash.

Bicycle Grease. Baby powder is the perfect blotting agent for grease stains left by bicycle chains. First, sprinkle the powder on the stain and then gently blot with a paper towel to remove any excess grease. Next, pre-treat using dish soap on the front and back of the stain before machine washing. Be sure to wash it alone to prevent grease transfer to other garments.

Ketchup. As soon as you can, dab the stain with cold water, and then sponge with white vinegar before machine washing using a color-safe detergent with bleach.

Mustard. Use a blunt-edge knife, or the edge of a credit card, to scrape off any excess mustard. Then pre-treat with a stain remover and machine wash in hot water (as long as the fabric can tolerate).

Strawberries. Soak your shirt or pants for 30 minutes in a mixture of one quart of water, one tablespoon white vinegar, and ½ teaspoon liquid laundry detergent before washing as usual.

Tomatoes. Rinse the stain with cold water before using a sponge and white vinegar to buff out any remaining hint of color. If the stain is still there, use a stain remover to pre-treat before washing.

Avocado. First use a blunt-edge knife or the edge of a credit card to scrape off any excess green. Next, rinse the garment in cold water before pre-treating by rubbing dish soap into the stain. Then wash as usual.

Red Wine. Blot the stain with a clean white towel or cloth and then add table salt to absorb any excess liquid. Rinse thoroughly in hot water before machine washing.

Ice Cream. As soon as the stain hits your shirt, use cold water and a clean cloth to spot treat it. (commercial wipes like Shout Wipe also work.) Next, apply stain remover before soaking it in the sink with a teaspoon of an enzyme-based detergent (like Tide Stain Release) for 30 minutes. After that, you can machine wash.

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Best Flag Cleaning: The first step to keeping your flag free of dirt or stains is to know the rules for proper display. According to the U.S. Flag Code, “the American flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged. It should not be displayed on days when the weather is bad, except when an all-weather flag is used.” Nylon, Polyester or Knit Polyester are all materials that can withstand the elements. For the best results, do not expose your flag to rain, snow or extremely high winds; these forces of nature can shorten its life considerably. If the flag becomes wet, it should be carefully spread out and allowed to dry completely. Never fold or roll-up a wet or damp flag.

Synthetic material flags such as nylon or polyester can be machine washed with cold water and a mild detergent. Do not let the flag stand in the wash water for extended periods of time or some color transfer may occur from the red stripes to the white stripes. Synthetic material flags should be placed flat to dry. Natural fiber flags such as cotton and wool should be handled with greater care. They can be spot cleaned or dry cleaned. Be sure flags are completely dry before correctly folding and sealing in a moisture-proof and bug-proof plastic bag. Store in a safe, cool, dry place.

Best Flag Repair: A small tear will quickly become a big tear if not repaired immediately. Typically the fly end of the flag is the first section to fray as it whips in the wind. When this occurs the end should be cut off and re-hemmed quickly before further damage develops. However, be aware that your flag can only be repaired a certain number of times before it becomes too short to be a regulation-sized American Flag (maintaining the width at 1.9 times the height). Flags that are excessively worn or frayed should be retired properly following the U.S. Flag Code which states, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Many veterans organizations, scouting troops or ROTC groups will accept tattered flags and dispose of them properly.

Best’s Free Flag Cleaning: If your American flag is showing any signs of wear and tear, simply bring it to the Best Cleaners’ location near you (or leave it for your home delivery driver). Best’s dry cleaning service is free of charge … no coupon or special promotional code needed. It is our honor to use our expertise to ensure that each and every American flag is in the best condition possible, and to make that service available for all.

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Have your nails polished the day before the wedding. Wet nail polish not only stains all fabrics but can also permanently remove color from a silk dress. Allowing at least a day for the polish to dry and set is your safest bet.

Apply makeup, hairspray and perfume before putting on your gown. Foundation, eye shadow, mascara and lipstick will all leave an immediate mark if they come in contact with your gown or veil. The stains from hairspray and perfume mist may not be visible right away, but can set and show up after you have your dress cleaned.

Use a deodorant that is also an antiperspirant. Perspiration is one of the most common causes of staining, and is easily preventable. Use a clear solid instead of a gel to keep your underarms dry and residue free. If you do use a gel, allow at least five minutes for it to set before putting your gown on. A clinical strength deodorant is a good option if you tend to sweat excessively.

Step into your gown instead of pulling it down over your head. Once on, be sure to have your attendants put your shoes on for you to limit the possibility of your face touching the fabric and transferring makeup onto your dress. If stepping into your gown is not an option, gently place a cloth or towel loosely over your face (so your makeup does not smear or smudge) and have someone hold the cloth while others bring the dress over your head.

Hold your hem high. Asphalt, grass and dirt can all do some serious damage to the bottom of your dress and train. When fabric drags on rough surfaces, fibers deteriorate. Tar, dirt and grass stains get ground into the fabric, making it more difficult, sometimes impossible, to remove. Enlist the help of your bridesmaids to minimize contact with the ground, especially driveways, streets, and grassy areas.

Don’t drink red wine. Not only is red wine one of the most visible and hardest stains to remove, it also sets into the fabric faster than most. White wine and champagne are better options for two reasons – if they spill on your gown the stain is not as visible and it is easier to remove.

Consider a “No-Bubble Zone” . The glycerin in soapy bubbles stains silk and satin. If your dress is made of either of these fabrics, it is best to avoid the post-ceremony bubble tradition or use a stain-free bubble solution. Get a sample swatch of your dress fabric to test the solution before your wedding day.

Bring your gown to a dry cleaner. Even with the best preventative measures, stains happen. There is no substitute for an expert with years of experience working with specialty fabrics and trims. What may be best for removing a wine stain from one type of material, may be disastrous for another. It is critical to have a knowledgeable professional capable of tackling all potential issues, including invisible stains from spilled champagne, perspiration, hair spray and perfume. Time is also of the essence – you want to start the cleaning process before any stains have a chance to set in or attract hungry insects. You also want to remember to bring the veil, slip, and any other item at the same time so they can be cleaned, preserved, and secured in one box.

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Avoid Agitation. Your number one priority is to prevent fading or color loss while maintaining the shape of your jeans. How and how often you clean your jeans will determine how long of a life they will have. Hot water, harsh detergents, and rubbing contact all have an impact. Limit washings to 5-10 wearings. If you have a small stain, spot clean using a damp cloth or an old toothbrush with a mild soap. When it is time to throw your jeans into the washer, turn them inside out to prevent excessive fading and color loss that can result from spin cycle agitation. Remember to unroll the cuffs so dirt and sand do not get trapped in. Avoid using harsh soaps as they tend to wash out the indigo blue tint of the denim.

Give Them the Cold Treatment. Choosing a cold-water spin cycle and a detergent made for cold-water cleaning is added protection against fading and shrinking. The heat in your dryer is your blue jeans’ number one enemy so air dry instead. You should also keep them turned inside out (and out of the sun) which will not only prevent fading but will also help ensure that the interior pockets will dry. A collapsible clothes rack is perfect for the job.

GreenEarth Dry Clean. Whether you have embellished jeans that require a gentle clean, have a tough stain, or you simply can’t fathom not washing your favorite pair after one or two wearings, dry cleaning with a silicone-based solvent like GreenEarth is a great alternative for preserving their look and fit. Unlike the harsh, petroleum-based solvents used by most dry cleaners, GreenEarth is safe to use on all fabrics. Colors do not fade. Fabrics do not shrink. Best only uses GreenEarth for dry cleaning items, so all you have to do is let us know that you want your jeans dry cleaned, not washed, when dropping them off. With Best’s same-day service, having your best jeans ready to wear is as easy as can be.

The post The Best Way to Clean Designer Jeans appeared first on Best Cleaners.

Since 1954 when Best Cleaners first opened on Main Street in Middletown, we have been committed to fast, friendly, expert service. Our same-day service, onsite tailoring, and free pickup and delivery are just some of the conveniences we offer. Our GreenEarth cleaning method is good for everybody. It’s tough on stains, gentle on fabrics, does not leave a harsh chemical odor on your clothes, and is environmentally-friendly.

Thank you all for your vote of confidence, and for inspiring us to be the best that we can be. We couldn’t have done it without you.

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At Best Cleaners we celebrate Earth Day every day of the year with our long-standing commitment to using the most environmentally-friendly, sustainable method of dry cleaning. The GreenEarth Cleaning method is free of harsh chemicals. Silica, the same element found in ordinary beach sand, is the main ingredient, leaving fabrics softer and colors vibrant longer with no chemical odor.

With GreenEarth, you can hang your drapes without airing them out first. And take your favorite jacket or blouse straight from the hanger to work. GreenEarth brings out the vibrancy in colors, while leaving fabrics feeling softer. There isn’t a fabric in your closet too delicate for GreenEarth. It’s safe for fine silks, linen, cotton, wool, cashmere, lace, even fabrics labeled “Do Not Dryclean”.

At Best Cleaners your clothes have never had it so good and neither has the environment. We make it easy to be a “closet greenie” by providing free caddies for recycling hangers and plastic wrap. You can feel good about doing your share to help protect our environment. Let’s celebrate the fact that each of us in some way, every day, makes choices that have a positive impact.

Happy Earth Day from Your Friends at Best Cleaners!

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