The Beauty of Silk
For centuries, silk has been coveted for its softness, durability and strength. Discovered in China in 3000 B.C., silk has often been compared to gold throughout the centuries. Today, there are even more reasons to relish the fabric. Now instead of being tied to dry cleaning, new technology and customer demand has led to silk fabrics that can be machine washed at home. However, it's not as easy as it sounds.

Silk garments demand extra care to hold their beautiful color, texture and shape. In fact, they're probably one of the most delicate fabrics you own. That's why it's important to depend on the experts you trust at Calusa Cleaners. Bring us your “dry clean only” silks that need cleaning—or your “washable” silks that need to be laundered. Whatever your care needs, Calusa Cleaners has the expertise and trained professionals to keep your garments beautiful and silky smooth.

Best Advice: Do What You're Told

• If you opt to clean your washable silk garments at home, be sure to follow the guidelines on the manufacturer's care label. Plus, as a general rule, you can also use these tips:
• Read the label for specifics on the best water temperature and machine cycle. Usually warm water and the delicate cycle is recommended.
• Separate whites from colored items.
• Wash the item as quickly as possible if the label advises you to hand wash. For example, soak a garment no longer than two minutes.
• Although you might think you're being generous to your clothes, don't dry clean your washable silks. The experts, Calusa Cleaners will be happy to launder these silks, but such garments shouldn't be dry cleaned and can be damaged if you do so.
• If you wish to iron your silks, iron while the fabric is still damp or use a steam iron. Plus, use the coolest setting.
• Always double-check if machine drying is recommended. If it's not, don't do it.

Short Cuts Don't Pay
Remember, although you may be tempted, silks that aren't deemed “washable” should not be washed because the silk fiber can be weakened, the dye can run and the final results will be less than satisfactory. If you take a chance and soak your silks when they should go to Calusa Cleaners, excessive shrinkage, color fading and textural changes may occur.

Bring Your Silks to Calusa Cleaners
The experts at Calusa Cleaners are trained to clean and launder all your silk garments, from ties and jackets to dresses and shirts. So why take a chance with your beautiful investment? Count on Calusa Cleaners and you'll be able to count on the beauty of your silk garments lasting for years to come.

Keep Your Cool in Your Linen
The Fahrenheit is climbing and swimwear doesn't cut it for “business casual.” How to beat the heat? Linen garments.

Considered one of the oldest textiles, linen is made from plant fibers and can be traced to the Stone Age. Today, it's one of the most popular fabrics for staying cool in hot weather thanks to remarkable comfort qualities: it's absorbent and dries quickly. Plus, linen garments are simple to keep looking great when you bring them to the professionals at Calusa Cleaners.

Wipe Out Wrinkles
Although your linen suits, dresses and shirts keep you cool, they do have a downfall—they're prone to wrinkles. Therefore, since most people prefer a freshly ironed look, linen fabrics are often treated with finishes or sizing to add body, help reduce wrinkling and enrich color.

In order to make garments even more wrinkle resistant, manufacturers have created linens that are a blend of other fabrics. These blends offer several benefits over pure linen—they retain crispness, are softer and usually cost less. But remember, check the care label carefully because blends often require special attention. Or, make it easy on yourself and bring all your linen garments to the experts at Calusa Cleaners.

Control Color Loss
Unfortunately, linen garments can be prone to color loss. For example, when linen fabric is rubbed, some of the dye is removed and a light, chalky mark left behind. This color loss is more noticeable in heavy-wear areas such as pockets, collars and underarms, as well as along creases and folds. Areas that are constantly rubbed can also become weak and develop small holes. Plus, any sizing or finish that the manufacturer has added increases stiffness and can cause the fabric to be more susceptible to abrasion damage.

Lots of Cleaning Options
Just as they're easy to wear, linen garments are typically simple to clean. As a rule, linen fabrics can be safely dry cleaned or laundered, depending on a variety of factors such as blends, trims, type of dye and finish. However, many linen garments are labeled "dry clean" to avoid any shrinkage or distortion. It's a good idea to follow the care instructions as recommended by the manufacturer to avoid color loss and shrinkage problems.

Stay Clean of Stains…Bring It to Calusa Cleaners
Stained linen demands extra attention. So trust the professionals at Calusa Cleaners for the care your garments deserve. They know how to clear up most stains and can help keep all your linens looking new. Just be sure to point out any problem areas when you drop off your order.

What is Wool?
Made from the fleece of sheep, wool yarns produce "woolens" or "worsted" fabrics. Woolen fabrics are made from twisting short wool fibers together, resulting in a soft, fuzzy feel without a distinct weave pattern. Some woolen examples include flannel, soft-finished tweeds and melton. Worsted fabrics have a distinct weave pattern and are hard finished like gabardine, serge and cavalry twill.

Nice Look, Nice Feel
There are many reasons why wool is a favorite year-round fabric, although it’s especially popular in the cold winter months. First of all, wool is very warm yet comfortable because it absorbs moisture without leaving a damp feeling. Wool is also resilient and resists wrinkling. Plus, it's easy to tailor since it holds its shape so well.

Check out the Label
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), wool garments must be classified and labeled according to the amount and type of wool, for example:

Wool Blend Mark Label
This trademark identifies products that contain at least 60 percent pure new wool, blended with just one other fiber.

Woolmark Label
This label is only allowed on garments whose manufacturers meet the high standards of the Wool Bureau Inc. It shows that a product is 100 percent pure wool.

Take Care of Your Wool
Trust the professionals at Calusa Cleaners to make sure your wool garments last for years and always look sharp. Plus, here are a few tips that you can follow, too:

Read Your Care Labels
Calusa Cleaners first rule of cleaning is to follow the care instruction label. This is especially important for wool products. Most need to be dry cleaned, but some of the new styles of merino wool, for instance, can be hand-washed. So follow the care label. You’ll be glad you did.

Get Rid of the Fuzzies
Piling is caused by the balling up of loosened fiber ends. It’s most common in woolens and wool blend fabrics due to the short staple fibers in the yarn. Piling occurs in areas of high wear, such as elbows, sleeves, seat, etc. Brushing can sometimes alleviate it.

Keep Insects Away
It's a fact of life: moths lay eggs on garments. Then, when the eggs hatch, larvae attack the garment fibers. However, frequent dry cleaning can control this potential problem since moths and their larvae are more attracted to garments with food and beverage stains. Be sure to bring all your garments, especially wool ones, to Calusa Cleaners for a final cleaning before storing.

Remember, regular cleaning by the experts at Calusa Cleaners will actually increase the life of your wool garments.

First Rule : Read the Care Label
Follow the care label closely to prevent shrinkage and stretching. Many sweaters require hand washing, some can be machine washed on delicate cycle, many should be dry cleaned only. If you’re not sure what to do, just talk to the experts at Calusa Cleaners.

Common Problems
Depending on the fiber, sweaters are susceptible to stretching, shrinkage, pulls and pilling both from use and cleaning. Of course, some stretching can be expected from normal wear and care. Generally, the softer the knit, the more likely it is to show some change in texture or feel which may be aggravated with washing or cleaning procedures.

Everyday Care
Keep your sweaters folded over padded hangers in a well-ventilated closet or folded in drawers. Do not hang a sweater from the shoulders; the weight of the sweater can cause it to stretch. Be sure to empty pockets, remove belts, and close zippers to keep the finish smooth. If recommended on the care label, tumble dry at low temperatures. Otherwise, lay garments flat to dry. Always keep sweaters clean and treat stains right away. When spills are blotted immediately and then professionally removed, stains won’t develop later.

Acrylic
Acrylic knit sweaters are often difficult to distinguish from wool. For this reason, paying attention to the care label and content is especially important. Acrylic is a thermoplastic fiber. This means it can be affected by heat and its fibers may be stretched as a result of high temperatures used in ironing and drying. For this reason, tension during ironing should be avoided. Lay the garment flat to dry or, if recommended by the care label, tumble dry at low temperatures.

Angora
Angora rabbit hair is a blend of wool and synthetic fibers and shrinkage is its biggest problem. Even machine washing on a delicate cycle causes more shrinkage than hand washing. If machine washing is recommended on the care label, use mild detergent. However, usually hand washing is recommended and will be less damaging. Lay the garment flat to dry.

Camel’s Hair/Cashmere/Mohair
Camel’s hair, cashmere, and mohair are soft, touchable wools. Camel’s hair is a fabric made from the hair of a camel, sometimes blended with wool. Fibers from the camel family include camel’s hair, alpaca, guanaco, llama and vicuna. Cashmere and mohair both come from goats and are often blended with wool or synthetic fibers. Mohair is the stronger of the two fibers. Due to their construction, most sweaters made of these fibers are “dry clean only.”

Chenille
Chenille yarns resemble a pipe cleaner or caterpillar. In fact, chenille is French for caterpillar. This fabric has a soft, luxurious appearance and texture. However, abrasion damage and snagging are common among chenille garments. Normal rubbing and friction on the fabric will initiate the condition. The necessary agitation of cleaning further aggravates the damage. For washable chenille articles, hand washing may be safer than machine washing, even if the article is labeled as such. Machine washing, even on a gentle cycle, can cause excessive fabric damage. After washing, lay the garment flat to dry.

Wool
Popular wool is a protein fiber spun from sheep’s hair that is durable, comfortable and an excellent insulator. However, wool requires special handling in both dry cleaning and laundering. If the care label suggests hand washing, use cool water and a mild detergent. Soak up to five minutes and rinse thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water without wringing or twisting. Lay the garment flat to dry, away from sunlight and direct heat. If the label suggests machine washing, use the gentle cycle. Wool sweaters also require special handling in stain removal because excess moisture can result in severe mating, pilling, shrinkage and discoloration.

Leave it to Calusa Cleaners
Remember, if in doubt, don’t shrink it and throw it out…bring all your sweaters to the professionals at Calusa Cleaners. We pay close attention to the details so your sweaters will look fabulous for many seasons to come.

What are Leather & Suede?
Skins or hides of animals are preserved with a process called "tanning" to produce leather and suede. Generally smooth, leather is the outside of the animal skin. Suede (the inside of the animal hide) is usually mechanically treated and buffed to raise the nap and give the surface a velvety look and feel. Chemicals and oils make it possible to add dyes and finishes to both.

Shop Smart. Be Savvy
Before you make an investment in a leather or suede piece of clothing that you'll probably have for the rest of your life, know some important tips of the trade:

Although many panels of the garment may not match exactly, look for close matching colors and textures.

Avoid a snug fit. Hides are stretched considerably during tanning, so some shrinkage can be expected in use and cleaning.

Buy from reputable retailers who will stand behind their product.

Read and save any accompanying care information.

Storage & Cleaning Tips
When you take your leather and suede garments to Calusa Cleaners , it's best to provide any care information that came with the garment. Also, be sure to point out stains, since stains that are old and set cannot always be removed safely. Lastly, remember to have all matching pieces cleaned at the same time to avoid color variations.

Plus, here are more easy tips to help keep your garments looking and feeling their best:

• Brush suede frequently with a soft brush to help remove surface soils.
• If leather gets wet, air-dry away from heat. Store in a cool, ventilated area.
• Leather can dry out if exposed to heat, mildew or if stored in a hot and humid environment. Do not store leather in plastic bags.
• Clean leather items at least once a season, more often if needed.
• If staining occurs, don't try to remove spots at home. Bring it to us.

Trust Calusa Cleaners
Most importantly, leather and suede garments should be processed ONLY by a professional suede/leather cleaner, like the experts at Calusa Cleaners. You can trust us to keep your stylish leather goods looking great and lasting longer.

Colors can Fade
Dress shirts can become discolored where they come in contact with body oils, as on the upper chest and back, inner neckband and upper sleeves. You might notice this condition after the first wearing or over time. Often, the damage can usually be improved with a professional cleaning from Door To Door.

Stubborn Stains Leave Marks
Ring around the collar is common. That’s because as a shirt is worn, the neckband, collar fold and cuffs are exposed to ground-in soils from perspiration, body oils, colognes, hair products, medicines and more. To prevent excess buildup of body oils, launder your shirts after each wearing.

Sweat Sometimes Lingers
Sweat can weaken your dress shirt and make it susceptible to damage during washing. And, antiperspirants contain aluminum chlorides that can compromise the fibers under the arm. These two problems are simple to remedy: allow antiperspirants or deodorants to dry before dressing and wash your shirts soon after use.

Oxfords Grow Holes
Due to the weaving process, tiny holes can randomly appear throughout an oxford shirt over time. Oxford cloth is made with two thin yarns in one direction and one thick yarn in the other direction. This unbalanced construction puts strain on the thin yarns, causing them to break and leave tiny holes. Eventually every oxford weave will develop pinholes from wear and cleaning.

Puckers Pop Up on Collars & Cuffs
Interfacing fabric is used in collars, cuffs and placket fronts to help create a smooth look. If it isn’t fused correctly or isn’t properly pre-shrunk, the outer fabric will be larger than the interfacing after laundering, causing puckers or wrinkles when pressed.

Watch Out for Melted Labels
Some shirts have labels that are glued on instead of stitched. Unfortunately, such labels can soften under high heat from professional cleaning or tumble drying and ironing at home and permanently stain the shirt. If this occurs, the shirt should be returned.

For Best Results: Leave it to Door To Door Valet Cleaners
On average, industry experts predict shirts have a two-year wear life expectancy. However, a better measurement of their quality is the number of launderings they tolerate, anywhere from 35 to 50 washings is typical. To get the most mileage out of a dress shirt, you should clean it as soon as possible after each wearing. For best results, shirts should be commercially laundered.

Professional shirt laundering differs from home laundering in that specialized wash formulas and different pressing procedures are used—collars are cleaner and the finish is crisper. So trust the experts at Door To Door Valet Cleaners for all your dry cleaning and laundering needs. The better care you give your dress shirts, the longer they’ll last and the better you’ll look.

Mother Nature's Product
Down is the soft, fluffy cluster of filaments that grows under the feathers of ducks, geese and other waterfowl. Like wool, it is a protein product. Down products contain hundreds of thousands of fluffy filaments that form air pockets to trap body heat and keep the cold out. Most down garments and items contain 80 percent down and 20 percent feathers or feather fibers.

The Problems of Down
Feathers Can Poke Through: As down and feathers are so fine, they can actually penetrate through the surface of the shell fabric. To help prevent this, manufacturers apply "down proofing," or an inner coating which aids in resistance and water repellency. However, some of the "down proof" coatings are solvent-soluble and may dissolve when the item is dry cleaned. This type of damage can’t be prevented or repaired.

Oil Can Show Up : Another problem with down-filled items is dark, shaded areas on the shell fabric after cleaning. This staining is often from excess oil coming from the down itself. In many cases, the oil can be removed by re-cleaning the item, but it may take several cleanings to remedy the problem.

What to Look for In the Stores
Cleaning down items is easy. However, a garment with poor construction and insufficient quilting can make the down shift, lose shape or become matted. That’s why it’s important to inspect the garment’s construction before purchasing, for example:

• See that the garment is well quilted. The stitches should run both vertically and horizontally, with the lines about eight to ten inches apart.
• Examine the strength of the garment’s stitching. Loose stitching will allow the down to shift.
• Check for fullness of the quilted area. Thicker filling provides more insulation.

Easy Care Tips
It’s easy to enjoy the majestic feel and look of down. Just follow these simple steps:

• Usually, down responds well to both washing and dry cleaning. However, the cleaning procedure depends on the shell fabric fiber.
• Follow the care label. When in doubt, bring your items to the professionals at Calusa Cleaners.
• If you machine wash down items, wash separately in warm water on a short cycle with high water levels and a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly. Residual detergent may result in the loss of water repellency or discolorations on the shell fabric.
• Larger items, like comforters and sleeping bags, should be brought to Calusa Cleaners. The items are generally too big for home washing machines.
• Air drying won’t dry down garments completely. For best results, tumble dry and place a few clean tennis balls in the dryer to help fluff up the down.
• Store down items in a loose storage area. Never keep in plastic bags.
• Store seasonal garments in a dark, dry area to help prevent fading, moisture, mildew and rusting.