Can I remove the care label from my clothing?

The care label is provided so that both the customer and the cleaner have reasonable guidance regarding care and cleaning methods. Some cleaners decline cleaning garments when care labels are removed; others may require a consent form before proceeding with cleaning. At Posh, our experts will determine a decision based on the garments condition & fabric. Although a care label would provide better instructions for care of the garment, it is not necessary.

What are stains?

There are generally two types of stains. One type is caused by water-based substances like food and body fluids, while other is caused by oil-based substances. Inks can fall into both categories: those that are wet side, water removable and those that are dry side, solvent removable. Specialized chemicals are used to accelerate the ‘freeing’ of certain stains and these chemicals are generally specific to wet side and specific to dry side spotting and cleaning. Extreme care should be used in applying chemicals to fabrics. Always use a test area which is inconspicuous to see if color change will occur before proceeding to the stained area.

Should I attempt stain removal at home?

There are several home remedy stain removals on the market, and there are home remedy formulas which have passed down from generation to generation. Without knowledge of the strength and type of fibers, colorfastness, exact nature of the stain, home remedies can place your garment at risk for effective stain removal and for fabric damage. If you have a problem with a stain and want to attempt eradication at home, call your dry cleaner for advice. Stains should be removed as soon as possible. One should use extreme care in using home remedies, like hair spray as a stain remover. While the propellant may “blow through” stain particles, the residual of lacquer often found in hair spray may create even greater problems for removal.

If a problem occurs during the dry cleaning process who is at fault?

Dry cleaners who hold special credentials such as Certified Professional Dry Cleaner, have solid working knowledge of fabrics, chemical usage and the dry cleaning process. They are also aware of manufacturers who repeatedly issue textiles to the market which are failure prone in wearing and or cleaning. The premier association for Launders and Dry Cleaners The IFI, International Fabricare Institute, maintains an extensive data base accessible by Posh French Cleaners of items sent to them. Computer access of this information and related articles is available online. Posh French Cleaners may decline cleaning an item based on their knowledge of pre-existing problems. Posh French Cleaners has direct access to most manufacturers and importers and can contact them for clarity on the cleaning process. Publications are periodically issued to members of IFI regarding these items.

Customers often believe that if an item fails in the cleaning process: “it was fine when I bought it, it was fine when I wore it, and was fine before I brought it to the cleaners, so the problem must have been caused by the cleaner”.

Garments sent for analysis of failure problems are classified into three categories of fault. 1) the Manufacturer, 2) the Customer, 3) the Cleaner. In 1999 garments seen for analysis of problems attributed cause of those problems: 68 % to manufacturer, 23 % to the consumer and 9 % to the cleaner. When it is determined that the cause of the problem rests with the manufacturer the customer should return the item to the retailer for exchange or refund. When the cause is determined to be with the Cleaners, generally the cleaners will use Industry Standards, established by IFI in settling a claim. Type of garment, age, and life expectancy of use are several factors used in determining fair settlement.