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Family Owned Since 1952
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What
is drycleaning?
Drycleaning uses fluids to remove soil and stains from fabric. In fact, the
term "drycleaning" is misleading; it is called drycleaning because
the fluid contains little or no water and does not penetrate the fibers as
water does.
Among the advantages of drycleaning is its ability to dissolve greases and
oils in a way that water cannot. Drycleaning helps to return garments to a
"like new" condition using precautions to prevent shrinkage, loss
of color, and fabric distortion.
The drycleaning process begins with the pretreatment of spots and stains using
special cleaning agents. The garments are then loaded into a machine resembling
an oversized front-loading home washer. Throughout the cleaning process the
fluid is filtered or distilled to ensure its clarity. A special detergent
should also be used. Hart's feels that Sanitone detergent is the best available.
Today, the solvent used by almost 90% of all drycleaners is perchloroethylene,
commonly known as "perc." It is completely nonflammable and non-combustible,
or relatively low toxicity, and can be efficiently reused and recycled.
What
is wetcleaning?
Wetcleaning starts with the pretreatment of spots and stains using special
cleaning agents. Wetcleaning is the process of removing soils from garments
and other textile items through the use of water and additives (such as detergent)
and using precautions to prevent shrinkage, loss of color, and fabric distortion.
In many cases, soaking and hand washing is necessary.
What is laundering?
Professional laundering for shirts and other "washable" items is
another process your cleaner uses to keep your garments looking their best.
Special detergents, additives, and finishes sets commercial laundering apart
from home laundering. This process enables your cleaner to offer consistent
quality shirts at reasonable prices. Collars come cleaner and the professional
pressing affords a crisper finish.
If you request a method of cleaning that is not listed on the care label,
your cleaner may ask you to sign a consent form showing that you accept the
potential risks of cleaning the garment.
What
do care labels mean?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that manufacturers attach a permanent
care label to textile garments to provide directions for their care. Manufacturers
must list at least one method of safe care for a garment. The rule covers
all textile clothing except footwear, gloves, hats, suede and leather clothing,
and household items such as linens. The rule stipulates that the care label
is easily found, will not separate from the garment, and will remain legible
for the garment's useful life.
The label must warn about any part of the recommended care method that would
harm the garment of other garments cleaned with it. It must also warn when
there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging it. Symbols also
may appear on a care label to supplement written instructions.
If a label indicated drycleaning, ALL components of the garment, including
the outer shell, lining, buttons, interfacing, fusing material, and trim should
be colorfast and remain unaltered during cleaning. If any such problem occurs,
it is the responsibility of the manufacturer. If your or your cleaner follow
the manufacturer's instructions and the garment is damaged, you should return
the garment to the store and explain what happened. If the store will not
resolve the problem, write to the manufacturer and send a copy of your complaint
letter to the FTC.
The information you provide the FTC may reveal a pattern or practice requiring
the Commission's attention. If you purchase a garment with no care label,
you should contact the FTC, giving the name and address of the store and manufacturer.
Occasionally, damage done in drycleaning is the responsibility of the drycleaner
and not the result of preexisting conditions or defects. In such cases, the
cleaner will usually settle the claim promptly and fairly, often using the
International Fabritech Institute's (IFI's) Fair Claims Guide. If there is
some doubt about responsibility, the member cleaner can send the garment to
the IFI's Garment Analysis Laboratory to determine the cause of the problem.
How
Do You Iron Sheets and Tablecloths?
Sheets and tablecloths are called flatwork.
We have a large machine called a flatwork ironer. It is about 10 feet wide.
Two associates stand in front and feed one edge of the sheet under a 10 foot
roll, 2 feet in diameter, which as it turns catches the sheet pulling it through
and pressing it against a large iron chest. The chest is heated with steam
and dries the sheet while it passes through the two rolls.
Belts, at the back, guide the sheet back to the front, holding it against
the bottom of the heated chest continuing to dry. It may take 25-30 seconds
for the sheet to be ironed.
The two associates will then fold and stack the sheets completing the order
of sheets and pillow cases.
Remember, there is nothing quite like "sleeping in the luxurious comfort
of freshly ironed sheets!"
How Do You Iron Shirts?
Hart's uses two-person shirt units, although one-person units are made.
Two-person units have:
Our standard
is 85 shirts per hour for two people, although more than one hundred is possible.
You are invited to watch any of our equipment at our North Broadway plant
anytime they are working...Group tours are welcome with advance notice.
