Since the outbreak of COVID-19 earlier this year, both scientists and the public have been scrambling to figure out exactly how the virus works. How does it spread, and what can we personally do to stop that spread?
Because of the novelty of this virus, there
are many things scientists are still trying to figure out. We do know a few
things about coronavirus contagion, however. The virus needs some water present
to survive, and is largely spread in droplets created by our breath. It can
live on various surfaces, but the material of the surface determines how long
the virus can survive.
As far as current research shows, the virus can survive in the air for three hours, on copper surfaces such as coins for up to four hours, on fibrous materials like cardboard for 24 hours, and on plastic and steel for up to two to three days.
When it comes to various clothing materials,
exact studies have yet to be done. However, the research implies that because
most clothing is fibrous, we should assume the virus can live for one day on
these materials. For items of clothing that include metal and plastic, the
virus can live on these parts of the clothing, such as buttons and buckles, for
several days.
The spread of COVID-19 continues in our public
spaces. This is why it’s important to change and clean clothing regularly,
especially if you have worn it in a location where you could have been exposed
to the virus.
There are several ways to ensure that an item
is clean and free of the virus. Methods known to kill coronavirus are:
Heat above 140° Fahrenheit
Soap and physical removal
Disinfectants
When you take your clothing to be dry cleaned, it is guaranteed that the process will completely eliminate any traces of the virus. Temperatures used when dry cleaning are much higher than the 140° threshold needed to eliminate the virus. These temperatures are used at multiple stages of the dry cleaning process when the clothes are cleaned, dried and steam-pressed.
In addition, soap and physical removal, such as when you
wash your hands, kills the virus. When dry cleaning, strong detergents and
mechanical action perform the same job of physical removal as hand washing.
For delicate materials that require low temperature
cleaning, additional disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide are used, which
work in addition to the physical removal process to kill any remaining viral
traces.
Although many areas are loosening quarantine restrictions, we are far from safe from the spread of COVID yet. That’s why it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant about your personal hygiene and cleaning. Regular dry cleaning can be an important step in maintaining the hygiene of your clothing.
We encourage our customers to take extra care if they believe a garment has been exposed to COVID. Bringing the item to be dry cleaned is a guaranteed way to ensure any traces of the virus are eliminated. Be sure to inform dry cleaning staff if you believe an item may be contaminated, so that they may take extra precautions. For more information on maintaining clothing hygiene during this time, check out our blog!
Spring is in full swing, and that means it’s spring cleaning time! You may have already wiped, dusted and mopped the dark and dirty corners of your household, but there are other areas that we often overlook when it comes to deep cleaning. Our wardrobes rarely get the attention they need when we’re cleaning and organizing. It’s understandably a daunting task, especially if you have a large wardrobe. However, these tips can help break down how to organize and sort your closet as well as maintain the cleanliness and longevity of your clothes.
Sort
Regularly
Summer is nearly here, and that means many of
us will be packing away our warmer clothes for long term storage. While you’re
at the task of going through your wardrobe, try pulling everything out into the
open and sorting garments into “keep,” “mend,” “discard” and “donate” piles.
Then, bring garments that need it to your local seamstress and dry cleaners for
repairs and laundering. Regularly paring down clothes we don’t wear, and taking
note of clothes that need upkeep can prevent us feeling overwhelmed when it
comes to our closets.
Organize
Your Wardrobe Logically
After sorting, make sure that you put clothing back in a logical order in your closet. Your most worn and most seasonally appropriate clothing should be easily accessible. Store out-of-season clothing in storage bags/boxes or in a less accessible part of the closet, such as the top shelf. Keeping an organized wardrobe will help you recognize and appreciate the things you use often as well as reduce stress when you are getting dressed.
Keep a
Running Clean & Repair Pile
As you notice garments in your wardrobe that require mending or dry cleaning, try to have a specific place that these items can be placed. When you accumulate a few items in your clean and mend pile, you’ll know it’s time to make a stop at the dry cleaners and seamstress. Making sure that clothes are cleaned and repaired promptly will help make the garments last far longer than if they are allowed to fall into disrepair.
Pay Attention
to Special Materials
Garments made from special materials such as
silk, lace, wool, leather or suede require skilled care. Taking these materials
to the experts at your local dry cleaner can extend their life exponentially,
rather than trying to maintain them with the tools you have at home. Most dry
cleaners are very affordable, making it a worthwhile investment for special
material garments which are often more valuable than others.
Don’t
Forget Other Textiles in Your Home
We see our closet everyday, so it’s difficult to forget about its upkeep. However, there are other items in our home which often remain out of sight and out of mind such as table linens, sheets, blankets and wool rugs. You local dry cleaner can help you maintain these items as well. Add them to you running clean and mend pile to be cared for by a professional as needed.
There are many benefits to good upkeep of your clothing and home textiles apart from organization and cleanliness. Maining the thing we already own is better for the environment, our wallets and our peace of mind as well. Find more information on our blog about how Ajay Cleaners can help you maintain your garments and linens!
The current COVID-19 epidemic has led to a great deal of changes for our everyday lives. Most of us have followed the stay-at-home order for several months, and are eager to return to a degree of normalcy with the reopening of businesses and services. Several regions across the country are already reopening their economies, and the rest of us expect normal business to resume soon.
However, as businesses reopen and we return to
our normal lives, we are left responsible for protecting ourselves from the
virus and thereby protecting the vulnerable in our society. Business owners are
the first line of defense against the spread of coronavirus in their
establishments. As a result, businesses are having to plan and communicate
their own regulations to keep their staff and customers safe.
Ajay Cleaners is no different. We have made a series of changes to protect the health of our valuable staff and customers. We plan to continue with extra precautions as long as necessary until the spread of the virus is contained.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stressed that the most important step establishments can take is rigorous and consistent cleaning of facilities and equipment. At Ajay Cleaners, we have implemented additional daily cleaning of our five Manhattan locations. We are giving special attention to areas of our facilities which come into contact with the public such as door handles, front desk areas and card readers.
The staff at our locations have been trained
in additional hygiene practices throughout their workday, including regular
hand washing after interacting with customers, helping customers maintain
physical distancing, and staying home if they or anyone they live with has
shown any signs of sickness. We are continually communicating with our staff as
we transition back to normal business, and are prepared to adjust our policies
in accordance with the most up-to-date guidelines.
In order to protect staff and customers from viral spread through the exchange of money, we are temporarily accepting card payments only. While the World Health organization has not issued specific advisories regarding the exchange of cash, recent research suggests that the virus can remain on fibrous surfaces such as banknotes for up to 24 hours, and on metal surfaces such as coins anywhere from several hours to several days depending on the metal. We ask that customers to please be prepared with a credit or debit card when collecting garments.
We are providing staff at all our locations
with additional cleaning and protective materials including gloves, hand
sanitizer and wipes. We are also providing hand sanitizer in public locations
of our facilities for use by our customers.
While Ajay Cleaners is taking as many additional precautions as we can, we also urge our customers to take personal precautions as well. We encourage patrons to wash hands or make use of hand sanitizer provided after public exchanges and maintain physical distance from other customers and staff. We are all responsible for one another, so we encourage everyone to do their part in protecting their neighbor. With a sense of discipline and a community spirit, we are confident that we can get through this time together.
At Ajay
Cleaners, there are no other chemicals on the premise. We are 100% toxic-free
wet cleaners. We call ourselves wet cleaners as we do everything in the water.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get your clothes cleaned and not be worried about what
chemicals were used, what impact it had on the environment, is it a healthy
choice, or what is that strange odor that you smell when you bring your clothes
back home or are they actually clean?
Wet cleaning solves
all those problems. It is the use of water for your “dry clean only” items. We
just don’t take your expensive Brioni suit and throw it into the washing
machine. That would be silly. Wet cleaning, in fact, is the exact opposite of
laundry. Laundry is a high level of water with a lot of mechanical action. Wet
cleaning is a low level of water with very little mechanical action and in this
process that’s what makes it so gentle for your finer fabric. All the issues
with detailed cleaning that exist in laundry washing do not exist in wet
cleaning.
We never question the
use of water. We drink it, wash with it and prepare meals with it. Wet cleaning
is done with water and nothing is more natural in cleaning than water. In fact,
it makes your whites’ even whiter and other colors brighter. Wet cleaning is a
great choice for any garments. Even the cashmere, silk, woolen, and other finer
garments.
The proof is in the
feel and the look of the fabric every time you take them home. There is no
lingering odor, results are better, it is in a more hygienic state, it’s a
greener choice, better for your clothes, your health, family and environment
will be safe as Ajay Cleaners is a 100% toxic-free wet cleaners. People should
look forward to wet cleaning rather than using some dry cleaning toxic solvent.
Consumers of wet cleaners never have to worry about any skin problems, or
whether the cleaning agents used would cause harm and bring air pollution or
soil pollution.
There are many
diseases caused by unclear factors at this time and age. A lot of research has
been done in attempts to find the root cause of increasing cases of illnesses.
Obviously, some health practitioners have looked deeper into some of the
habitual behavior we have as humans and it is not alarming to find that
maintaining hygiene especially washing our clothes has got a lot to do with
mitigating the risks of potential disease. Increased toxins that accumulate
over time is what derails our body’s defensive system.
For this reason, wet
cleaning services are now equipped with cutting-edge machines that can manage
any garment whatsoever. For something as simple as the normal pressing of
clothes, wet cleaning machines are being improved by the day so as to reduce
the time required for ironing. The hard-to-wash stains caused by oil-based products
can be rectified using wet cleaning which uses eco-friendly stain-removals.
These steps are configured by special wet cleaning machines that involve drying
and water-saving capabilities. Our professionally trained personnel would then
follow strict guidelines given to take care of different types of garments.
Garments made of wool, suede, silk, velvets and the like can be cleaned with modern wet cleaning methods. Other problems such as discoloring and handling of attachments are always thoroughly checked before they are set up for wet cleaning. Ajay Cleaners has special services such as:
Personalized Shirt and Laundry Services
Ajay Cleaners always
pays close attention to every inch of detail of your shirts. We specialize in
the care of bespoke and modified custom shirts from the houses of Turnbull
& Asser, Brioni, Pink, Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Borelli, just to
mention a few. Our special craftsmanship always delivers a professional touch
and finish, with perfecting the collars, cuffs and straight crisp button
plaquets.
If you’re in search
for the best, cutting-edge Personalized Shirt and Laundry Service with an
online presence in New York, then Ajay Cleaners have got you covered. We
understand those days you have an important meeting and you want to look as
presentable as possible. We will set up an appointment and attend to you
according to what you want. At Ajay Cleaners, the first impression matters.
Whether it’s uniform shirts, dress shirts, designer shirts, and tuxedo shirts. Our services are available at a reasonable cost.
Wash and Fold Services
You can cross laundry
off your weekly to-do list with our Wash & Fold service. We know how
important your clothes are, and that is why our highly skilled professionals
will treat your clothes with maximum care.
All you need to do is
drop off your laundry at Ajay Cleaners store and we will take it from there. To
make things much easier, efficient and effortless for you, we also offer pickup
and delivery services.
Even with our affordable prices, we make use of our skillful techniques and any cleanser of your choice.
The Specifics
The truth is that there are really no hard rules when it comes to when you should have your garments cleaned. Some people still leave their clothes lying for days on a dirty pile before taking them to the laundry. But if you’re wondering how often your clothes should be washed, the answer is that it depends on the item of clothing. Here is a breakdown of the common garments we have and when they should be cleaned.
Underwear
Apart
from bras which can be washed after 3-4 weeks, underwear should be washed after
every wear. Doing laundry every day can be time-consuming, but wearing the same
pair of socks, briefs or panties can be unhygienic. It’s wise to invest in
underwear so that at the end of the week, you can put your used underwear in
the laundry bag and dump it in the washer with the rest of your clothes at the
end of the week.
Jeans
Everyone
must have a pair of jeans or two. They are so versatile and you can pretty much
wear them with anything. The only thing we hate about them is washing. After
the first wash, they just don’t look the same and some of them fade afterwards.
For a pair of jeans, it’s standard to wash it after 6-7 wears.
Sweaters and T-shirts
Sweaters
last for 5-7 wears unless you have poured a stain on it. However, if you’re
wearing them on top of a shirt or t-shirt, the wears can last longer. But if
they start to smell bad, be sure to start making laundry arrangements.
T-shirts, on the other hand, should be given 1-2 wears.
Leggings and Yoga Pants
Gym
clothes obviously get dirtier as you wear them after2-3 wears. If you visit the
gym regularly, invest in 2-3 different outfits that you can wear if you want to
reduce the amount of laundry.
Jackets and Coats
This includes wool,
leather and suede which are very sensitive items. Most of the time, coats and
jackets are worn over two layers which makes it even harder. As these items get
some pretty good wear during the wintertime, it is best to have them cleaned
after two seasons. The cleaning specialists at Ajay Cleaners are experts in
caring for your leather, suede and even fur pieces. Leather, suede and fur are
high maintenance materials. Hence, it is best to leave your dirty garments to
the professionals.
The
special Fur “glazing” cleaning process adds to the longevity of your fur and
makes it soft and supple. Glazing is a process of bringing out the natural
luster and sheen of a fur after it has been cleaned.
Conclusion
Now we know when is the best time to have your clothes cleaned. As for any stained garments, the sooner you get it in for cleaning, the better. Stains can alter the fibers of a garment permanently or pull its color and make it impossible to remove. You can try washing the garment at home if you’re confident it would go away. But if you’re not sure, bring it to the dry cleaner for professional assistance.
Despite people’s
entitled opinions, cleaning clothing and other household textiles is a science
on its own. Scientists from all over the world have worked hard to find out the
most efficient cleaning methods for all fabrics; which includes dry cleaning
and wet cleaning.
The “dry cleaning
versus wet cleaning” debate has gone on for quite some time now. Some say that
dry cleaning is harmful to the environment, toxic, and all sorts of excuses. As
a matter of fact, wet cleaning – which does not imply cleaning clothes in a
household washing machine but a more professional method – has grown and gained
more popularity thanks to a push towards using environmentally friendly
cleaning methods.
But the bone of
contention is in the properties of water. We never question the use of water.
We drink it, use it to wash, cook with it, and many more. In this case,
however, we are talking about the property of water which is used as a solvent
when washing our clothes. Have you ever wondered why water doesn’t get the
stain off no matter how hard you try?
Why Is Water Not the Best Solution For Removing Stains?
You have probably heard of hard water and soft water. But are you aware of the problems it imparts on cleaning? One reason why we recommend not using water to clean out stains on your garments is that it might be hard water. Hard water is practically everywhere, and not just in rural areas like a lot of people believe. We are often misguided by the notion that our appliances are the problem, which leads us to make bad financial decisions. Studies show that 85% of water in the United States is hard water. Which means it contains a lot of Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese and Iron. Hard water is a big liability especially when it comes to cleaning. This is because;
Clothes Don’t Get Clean
Soap and detergent
don’t work well in hard water. The dissolved minerals present in hard water
inhibits the effectiveness of many cleaning products. Minerals such as Calcium
and Manganese hampers water from mixing with soap/detergent to form a complete
solution. It results in a scum which is a white, chalky substance that gets on
your laundry.
A substance, commonly
known as “detergent curd” sticks to the clothes and make things uncomfortable.
This results in ugly-looking clothes that have residue on your clothes that
even attract more dirt when you put them on.
Clothes Become Dull
Soap scum and mineral
residue on your clothes can also affect your appearance negatively. Hard water
causes fading of colored clothes. In fact, hard water adds stains instead of
getting rid of them. The yellow or reddish brown stains on clothes that appear
after washing are caused by hard water. The same also appears porcelain sinks
and toilets.
Household water that
has a lot of iron may leave those stains on your clothes and it becomes even
worse if you use chlorine bleach to wash your white garments. This is because
when iron combines with bleach, it creates iron-oxide (rust).
Towels and Sheets Feel Hard and Scratchy
Apart from ruining
the appearance of your laundry, hard water also distorts the natural feel of
the clothes and it becomes scratchy and uncomfortable to wear. Mineral build up
on the cloth leaves it feeling stiff and the residue that gathers up over time
makes it less absorbent.
Skin Irritation
Trying to remove
stains by yourself may not be such a good idea if you have no clue about the
state of the water. If you have a sensitive skin condition such as eczema,
washing clothes in hard water may lead to irritated skin.
Many people who
suffer from irritated skin apply all sorts of lotions, creams and special
soaps. They don’t know that the residue of hard water is what causes redness,
chafing and dryness.
How to Solve Hard Water Problems
One way you’d know
you have hard water is when you use too much detergent just to create foam.
Also, the accumulation of deposits on your washing machine means you need to
check the water intake that potentially is hard water.
To solve this issue,
software is the most ideal way of cleaning. The best way to solve the hard
water problem is by installing a water softener. Water softeners eliminate the
minerals that constitute hard water. The water-softening process, Calcium and
Magnesium ions are replaced with soft minerals such as sodium or potassium
ions. In the end, it will eliminate the negative effect on your appliance, hair
and skin.
When using a machine
with softened water, water temperatures can be reduced by 60 degrees Fahrenheit
or cold water instead of 100 degrees Fahrenheit hot water and still achieve the
better or same stain removal and cleaning.
Stains that Water Cannot Remove
We
have all done it at one point in our lives. Spot a stain, apply some water to
the area, and pray it comes out. However, there are situations that water is no
help, but a liability instead. Here are some of the stains that simple water
cannot fix;
Ink
People who are often
in a working area and multitasking various tasks often have their shirts or
garments dotted with a pen. We always try to dub some water to dispel the
stains but we only make things worse. This is because water only spreads the
ink out and make things worse than they were before.
To
solve this, sponge with rubbing alcohol or a dry-cleaning solvent, such as Afta
Dry Cleaning Solvent and Spot Remover.
Pollen
When
those yellow, tiny, powdery pollen grains get on your clothes, you’ll probably
think to brush it away and take out all the excess stain with water. This will
only make the situation worse as water can dissolve the pollen and sip right
into the fabric. Brushing it away with your hand will only rub it in more and
create a bigger mess. The solution for this is to carefully shake it off the
material by bending it over so that the loose particles easily fall off. If
they are still there, use a tape to lift the extra particles off the fabric.
Mud
Water
won’t do much for a muddy stain. It’s best to do nothing first and wait for it
to dry that you can easily get rid of by brushing away. Treat what remains with
a prewash stain remover such as Shout Advanced Gel, then launder it as usual.
Oil
il
naturally repels water, therefore, blotting it with a little water won’t help
remove the stain. Instead, use talcum powder to pat it and absorb the mess.
Then as soon as you do this, treat the spot with a prewash stain remover as
soon as you can.
Why Water Is Not the Most Effective Stain Remover
Most stain removers depend on a mixture of chemical strategies
that get rid of or hide stains. There’s isn’t really one single or standard
method for stain removal, but there are several blends that make your whites
white, remove patches of grass or any accidental blood stains.
When it comes to stain removal, dry cleaning or wet cleaning is
better for your clothes depending on the material of your garment and type of
stain.
Most people are aware of dry cleaning simply because the name is
popular, or that is where they take those “dry clean only” clothes. Wet
cleaning is not cleaning your clothes in a household washing machine, but it is
a more professional cleaning process.
What Is Dry Cleaning?
Dry cleaning is basically the cleaning of clothing and textiles
using a chemical solvent other than water. During the dry cleaning process,
little to no water is used to clear out dirt and stains from your clothes’
fabric.
Dry cleaning solvents are used to treat stains and dirt materials
before dry cleaning begins. The clothes are then put into the washing
compartments of dry cleaning machines to let loose of embedded dirt.
Basically, machines with hydrocarbon solvents need a wash cycle
of at least 2 minutes because they operate at slow rates. After the wash cycle
is the rinse cycle where the garment gets rinsed with fresh solvent from the
distillation tank, preventing discoloration.
After
rinsing and no more solvent can be drained from the fabric, the machines start
the drying cycle. Warm air is then passed through the garments to evaporate any
traces of solvent left. Temperatures are controlled to protect the clothes from
the damage of heat. They are then cooled by circulating cool air over them and
finally ironed.
There are different types of dry cleaning and they include;
1: Carbon Dioxide Cleaners
This is a more fancy
and expensive method that is most effective for getting rid of toxic residues,
soot and odors of fire.
2: Hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon
encompasses the use of petroleum-based dry cleaning solvents which are less
aggressive than perc.
3: Liquid Silicone
Liquid silicone is the
most sort after solvent for soft fabrics simply because it is gentle and does
not cause fading. It also does not produce toxic waste but it is more expensive
compared to perc.
4: Eco-Friendly Cleaning
This
is keen on using environmental friendly nontoxic solvents in the cleaning
process. Since the 1940s, perc was deemed to produce toxic waste that causes
cancer in test rodents. Hence Eco dry cleaning refers to any dry-cleaning
process that does not use perc. This includes Co2 cleaning, Green Earth cleaning
and hydrocarbon cleaning.
What Is Wet Cleaning?
For an environmentally
safe alternative to dry cleaning, wet cleaning is the simply the use of a
gentle computer-controlled washing machine, some water, and organic detergents
and conditioners to clean clothes in special moisture sensitive dryers.
Instead of hazardous
chemicals, wet cleaning utilizes water which is a universal solvent, and does
not generate harmful wastes or contribute to pollution much as dry cleaning
does.
Wet cleaning is mainly
for sensitive fabrics such as wool, silk, rayon, and linen. Drycleaners have
more flexibility when it comes to dealing with garments that may not be
suitable for a dry-cleaning process, or ones that have soils which would be
better removed in water.
For instance, many
items, for example, wedding gowns, are often trimmed with plastic beads or
sequins which may dissolve or discolor in dry-cleaning but actually perform
great after undergoing wet cleaning. Items that have large water-soluble stains
are more likely to have the best results after undergoing a wet cleaning
process.
Why Is Wet Cleaning Better?
Standard dry cleaners
mainly use toxic perchloroethylene (perc) which is used throughout many cycles
of the dry cleaning process. Not to mention, it is harmful to the environment
compared to standard wet cleaning. Perc has a heavier density than water (1.5
times), and uses high temperatures so as to remove stains from clothing.
Other dry cleaners
that advertise not using perc for organic or natural solvents usually seek
after the DF2000 chemical. Even though it is not as toxic as perc, it is a
chemical commonly found in gasoline for automobiles which can actually be
flammable. Wet cleaning uses no chemicals and maintains a more
environmental-friendly way of cleaning one’s garments and textiles. This method
is not only safe to the environment, but also to other people as well.
Benefits of Wet Cleaning
Clothing –It can practically be used for cotton,
silk, leather/suede, wool and wedding gowns. For other highly-structured
garments such as satin, acetate linings and gabardine, wet cleaning is not
suitable.
Environment – Wet cleaning doesn’t
require any hazardous chemicals and hence, it has no toxic waste or air
pollution. The only environmental downside is that it does not require more
water.
Finances – This method requires more workers but
the chemicals used are less expensive, meaning they will be the creation of
employment opportunities which means everyone benefits.
Others include;
No chemical odors or Residue
Softer than hand washing
Fresh, clean scent
Soft to touch
Gentle to sensitive skin
Safe for your clothing
Best way to remove stains
Moderate compared to Home Laundry Products
Brighter, vibrant colors without fading
Makes white garments whiter
Safe for the environment
Conclusion
Ajay
Cleaners has 25 years hands on experience in the New York market and will
ensure your garments get the best treatment. We promise – We deliver – We care.
Many-a-times, one can determine when they need to wash their garments by simply having a look at them or smelling them. But let’s be honest, how long do you wear your jeans before washing them? Should you wash them every week or every month? Things were so much easier when we were young kids because our parents used to take care of all the washing. Growing up come with a lot of responsibilities and we have to adjust to the time.
How Often Should We Wash Our Clothes? – Scientifically Explained
Some reasons for getting dirty are so obvious because of all the external activities we do that may result in a stain here or there. But other dirt comes from a much nastier source, which is you! As humans, we are constantly shedding skin cells and oozing skin oils as we secrete sweat in everything we are wearing. Factually, it is proven that humans shed 500 million skin cells and a liter of sweat every day.
It is certainly not attractive when you see dark spots when you
observe how it has changed from being clean. But on its own, sweat has no
smell. The problem starts when the bacteria living on the skin gets involved by
feasting on the sweat and skin cells and break down the proteins into smelly
by-products.
For example, Staphylococcus Epidermis bacteria which live on your skin break down amino acids in your sweat into stinky Isovaleric acid. It’s the same acid that pops up in strong cheese and badly made beer. However, it’s apocrine sweat that really makes us stinky. Apocrine sweat glands are found in the genital areas, breasts, armpits, and even the eyelids. They mature at puberty and make a fatty sort of sweat. When this is broken down by bacteria, it really stinks!
Unfortunately, it’s not just the smelly products of the bacteria that we should be probably washing off our clothes, there are also bacteria and other harmful substances living on them that spread infection. For example, in 2006 an outbreak of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) in an American college football team was traced back to the team’s habit of sharing towels.
How Can Washing Make Your Clothes Clean?
Modern laundry detergents are a mixture of various chemical
cleaning tricks from biological enzymes that digest away stains to optical
brightness that absorb UV, and reflect back blue light which makes your white
cloth look even whiter.
At the heart of any detergent is the power of surfactants which
makes stains soluble in water. A surfactant molecule essentially has two ends.
A hydrophilic (water-loving part) and hydrophobic (which rather binds to fats).
The hydrophobic part wants to be anywhere else but in the water, so it sticks
out into the air.
When you wash your dirty t-shirt in detergent, the surfactant’s
hydrophobic part binds to the dirt and grease on your top, then the hydrophilic
part binds to the water and pulls that grime away from your now clean t-shirt.
So, now that we know how our clothes get dirty and how washing gets rid of that. So when should we be washing our clothes? The million-dollar question should be when should one utilize the dry cleaners? When not to go to the dry cleaner, and also what to look for in a quality dry cleaner so that you can protect your wardrobe investment.
New Yorkers know that
their city can be cutthroat, but is also the gateway to huge opportunities and
potential success. In a city like New York, it can take a lot to stand out,
especially in the workplace. After our skills, qualifications, and likeability,
the next thing employers notice is how we present ourselves. For many of us,
thinking about our “image” can be intimidating, but with some careful planning,
it can be a great tool to impress others.
“Dressing to impress”
doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money on designer clothes. Second-hand
stores, designer-discount stores, and outlets are great places to find
high-quality clothing at an affordable price. However, making these pieces look
like a million bucks is where your tailor comes in.
Off-the-rack sizes rarely flatter every body shape perfectly, which is where a small investment in alterations can make a world of difference. Check out our blog to find out how a good tailor can make your clothes fit better, up your confidence while wearing them, and actually change your life!
Dressing for a Professional Image
You don’t have to throw out your personality to be professional! Having the right image is about understanding yourself and your surroundings. Here are some tips to get a professional image that will set you us for success in any workplace:
Dress Appropriately for your Job
If your workplace has a dress code, follow it. If not, check out what your coworkers wear to work to get a feel for how formal the environment is. Keep it simple; you can always add your own personality in color and accessory choices.
Wear Well-fitting Clothes
Overly baggy or tight clothing isn’t just unflattering, it’s uncomfortable! Feeling good in your clothes is essential for confidence. When in doubt about sizing, choose a larger size to make it easier for your tailor to cut it down to the perfect fit.
Accessorize Well
It’s important to pay attention to the bag and shoes you wear to work. These things will be used daily, so invest in high-quality pieces you love. It’s also good to keep jewelry, makeup, hair and even cologne or perfume fairly simple in the workplace to avoid distractions.
Wear Clean and Tidy Clothing
Making sure your workwear is clean, pressed and free of any stains or odors is vital to maintaining a professional image. A small investment in a professional laundering and dry cleaning service can upgrade your image as well as take the extra stress of laundry off your mind.
We’re here to help! It’s the little details that make a world of difference when it comes to dressing yourself. Check out our site to find out more about how to choose, care for, and get the most out of your wardrobe. See our services list to find out all the ways we can bring new life to your clothing, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!
There are a lot of
options for dry cleaning in Manhattan and choosing the right service can be
overwhelming. Take a read through our top tips to help you choose the best dry
cleaners in town.
Expertise
Expertise is crucial,
and a quality Midtown Manhattan dry cleaner will be able to answer any
questions you may have about garment care. The best services have professional
dry cleaners on hand who can offer specific recommendations about how to keep
your clothes looking their best.
Convenience
Finding the time to drop off your clothes can be a challenge, so convenience is a crucial consideration when picking a dry cleaner in Midtown Manhattan. We have five stores throughout Midtown, and each store offers a free pickup and dropoff service to any address within 500 meters.
Services Offered
If you’ve got a busy
lifestyle, you might be looking for more than just dry cleaning.
The best dry cleaners
in Midtown Manhattan offer a full range of garment care services such as:
Shirt and laundry service
Wash and fold
Leather and suede cleaning
Tailoring and alterations
Repairs and European weaving
Vintage clothing restoration
Fur cleaning
Ties and scarf cleaning and care
We offer a full range of garment care solutions at our five Midtown Manhattan locations, and we’re always available to answer your questions about our specialized services.
Professionalism and Customer Care
Customer care is vital
when it comes to dry cleaning. Professional dry cleaners will carefully inspect
your items when you bring them in for cleaning, taking note of any soiling or
special garment care requirements.
Don’t be afraid to ask
questions from your dry cleaning professionals! You can help by coming prepared
with details of any damage, stains, or special requirements.
The hallmark of a great dry cleaner is care and diligence. So, when you choose AJ Cleaners our number one priority is to understand your needs. From there, we do everything we can to keep your clothes immaculate.
Pricing
You get what you pay for, and that holds true in dry cleaning. Be suspicious of dry cleaners offering bargain-basement rates. Dry cleaning takes skill and care, and the prices of the best services will reflect that. Think of dry cleaning as an investment in your style and professional image, and choose accordingly when it comes to picking a dry cleaner in Midtown Manhattan.
On the other hand, you
don’t want to be “taken to the cleaners,” so we aim to be transparent and fair
when it comes to pricing. We’re confident that we offer the best service in
town, so call us now for a quote!
Leather and suede can add a sophisticated touch to your style. However, proper maintenance is needed to keep your garments looking their best. The working life of a leather piece will depend on the quality of materials and craftsmanship as well as the level of care you put into it. The appropriate care will depend on the exact style and materials of leather or suede garment you own.
Basic Leather Care
For finished
leathers, a quick wipe down with a soft, damp cloth will remove day to day
soiling. However, unfinished leather is notoriously difficult to maintain and
could be stained by contact with water. As such, dry cleaning is a great option
to avoid damaging your treasured leather garments.
For effective long
term care, there are are two main considerations for leather clothes, namely
conditioning and waterproofing.
Over time and with repeated use, leather garments can become dried, leading to a worn-out look that may even progress to cracking. Leather conditioners are designed to keep your leather garments moisturized, supple, and looking great.
Leather conditioners
are easy to apply – simply rub the product into your leather garment with a
soft cloth, using as little as required to coat the whole surface. Wait for
your leather to dry and you’re good to go!
Leather waterproofing
treatments are designed to maintain the waterproof properties of conditioned
leather. Options include creams, waxes, creams, and sprays.
While conditioning
and waterproofing your leather isn’t difficult if you know what you’re doing,
there are a lot of products on the market. It can be a challenge to choose the
right one for your item if you don’t know what to look for.
You can ensure your expensive leather piece looks great and lasts a lifetime by leaving the job to the professionals. Leather dry cleaning will leave your garments clean, conditioned, supple, and looking like new.
Basic Suede Care
Suede is a special
type of leather made from the underside of the animal’s skin. Due to its
textured, or napped finish, suede requires specialized care.
To remove day to day
soiling, you can gently brush the fabric using a soft clothes brush.
Like unfinished
leather, suede can be damaged by contact with water.
While spray products which condition and waterproof your suede are available, they may not be suitable for all garments. Many a treasured suede piece has been ruined by customers looking to save on a dry cleaning bill.
Dry Cleaning Takes the Hassle out of Leather and Suede Care
Whether your signature style is leather or suede, a quality dry cleaning service is your best bet. The professionals at our four Manhattan locations are fully trained in cleaning and maintaining your expensive leather and suede garments. We’re always available to answer your questions, so call us now for advice or a quote.
In a world of
Instagram and fashion magazines, it’s easy to feel down on yourself or your
fashion sense when compared to picture-perfect celebrities. However, a
little-known secret is that few celebs and CEOs are wearing off-the-rack
clothing like the rest of us. These elites commonly invest in alterations to
their clothing to help it fit and flatter their body type perfectly.
Standard sizing is limiting when trying to dress our diverse and unique bodies, which is why a good tailor is your ally in making you feel great in your clothing. Alterations are a small investment that can make shopping mall clothing look like it’s straight off a designer runway. Even the most complicated alterations tend to run under $100, and the vast majority are less than $50. Considering the thousands of dollars people will spend on designer clothing, investing in a fine tailor is a far more affordable way to get a perfect look.
Signs of a Good Tailor
A Good Tailor Can Fix Just About Anything
No need to say goodbye to your favorite piece over a tear or a size change! Having a great tailor as your ally will help your favorite clothes last you for many years to come.
A Good Tailor Knows Body Type
A good tailor can work with your specific body type and make recommendations about which alterations will make clothes more flattering.
A Good Tailor Will Save You Money
Thinking about buying the perfect, brand-new piece for your wardrobe? Tailoring a similar second-hand piece is the more frugal option. Not only that, but your new piece will fit you perfectly!
A Good Tailor Communicates Well
A great tailor will talk to you about your style, the shape of clothing you prefer, your ideal look for a specific garment, and what is actually achievable with the material. Never be afraid to ask your tailor plenty of questions.
Common Alterations
Basic Alterations
Basic Alterations
include simple fixes like button or zipper replacement, mending a simple tear,
or raising or lowering a hemline. These are simple fixes, but can make a world
of difference if your pant legs or jacket sleeves are too short! Most
professional tailors can handle these fixes.
Mid-Level Alterations
Mid-level alterations
require more consideration of what’s going to look good on your body. It’s good
to find a trusted tailor to make adjustments like changing a neckline or sleeve
type, tapering pants or adding darts to clothing.
Expert Alterations
It’s especially
important to go to a trusted tailor for expert alterations. These require a
solid professional understanding of the structure of clothing. Expert-level
fixes include relining clothing, altering the shoulders or posture of a
garment, rotating sleeves or reweaving to patch a hole.
We offer a full range of tailoring services at Ajay Cleaners. Feel free to contact us with any tailoring inquiries you may have. We’d love to work with you to make your clothes perfect!
