Towne & Country Cleaners and Laundry
Mildew: Mildew is a fungus growth that usually gives the
appearance of an irregular shaped stain. Normally it appears as a small splatter
type spots ranging in color from brownish yellow to gray or black. Also, a
musty order usually can be detected. Mildew usually develops over a long period
of time on soiled garments or household items that are left in moist, warm
conditions. Poor ventilation and the absence of light contribute to the fungus
growth. Dirty clothes that may be damp should not be thrown in a pile or in
a clothes hamper. Soiled items should be dry-cleaned or washed as soon as
possible, then stored in areas of good ventilation with low humidity. Washing
and bleaching with chlorine bleach will kill the mildew and can reduce or
lighten some mildew stains, but some fabrics and of course some dyes cannot
withstand these treatments, such as wools, silks, spandex and some nylon fibers.
Invisible stains: Many stains that are caused by food, oily substances or beverages may become invisible when they dry. But later on, with exposure to heat or the passage of time, a yellow or brownish stain will appear. You can help your dry cleaner do a better job by pointing out such stains when you take a garment to be cleaned. Oily substances are successfully removed in dry-cleaning unless they are left to oxidize. Once they become yellow or brown, they become much more difficult to remove. Perspiration stains can also cause problems particularly on silk and wool garments. Perspiration left in a silk garment can eventually cause deterioration of the fibers. Repeated exposure of a garment to perspiration and body oils can create a permanent yellow discoloration and an objectionable order. In addition they can react with the dye or finish in the fabric making it even more difficult to remove.
Color loss: There are many substances you may encounter in the course of a day that can cause a color loss. In many instances the discoloration does not appear until the item is cleaned. Stains that can cause color loss include Alcohol perfumes, after shave, hair spray, lotions, medicines and alcoholic beverages. Bleach Hair care products, disinfectant, skin lotions, medicines, and cleaning products can cause a change or loss of color depending on the dyes used in the fabrics. Alkaline toothpaste, soap, detergents, shampoos can cause color change that may not appear until the stained area has aged or the item is exposed to heat in the cleaning process.
Salt: Never put a garment away with spills or stains on
it. Bring in a stained garment as soon as possible. Do not iron stained or
soiled clothes as this will set stains and drive the soil deeper into the
fabric. Do not attempt home stain removal without testing first for color
fastness. Wet an unexposed area, such as an inside seam and blot with a paper
towel to make sure the color is fast. Never rub a stain especially a silk.
Blot the stained area. Inform your dry cleaner of the location of specific
stains and any thing you have used to remove them even if the stain is no
longer visible. 
