• Bring your garments in for professional cleaning as soon as possible after staining occurs. Stains or soils left too long may become permanent.
  
  
• Point out any light or difficult to see spots you are aware of, such as wine or soft drink stains, which may require special treatment.
  
  
• Keep perfumes, lotions, deodorants, antiperspirants, and other toiletries away from your clothes.  These products likely contain alcohol which will damage some dyes.  Allow them to dry before dressing.
  
  
• Protect garment, especially those made of silk, from excessive perspiration, as this can cause dyes to discolor.
  
  
• Have matching pieces of an ensemble cleaned together so any color fading will be uniform.
  
  
• Don't press stained or soiled clothing, as the heat may set some stains.

  Frequently Asked Questions About Clothes Cleaning

• Q.  When a garment's label says "washable", does this mean it cannot be dry cleaned?
  A.  Not necessarily.  The Carle Label Rule states that only one suitable method of care must be on the label.  Cleaners usually follow the care instructions, unless otherwise requested.  If you want your washable items dry-cleaned, the cleaner may ask you to sign a damage waiver.
  
  
• Q.  Does frequent dry-cleaning shorten the life of a garment?
  A.  On the contrary; frequent cleaning prolongs the life of a garment.  Not only do stains set with age, making the garment unwearable, but ground-in dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing rapid wear of fibers.  Also, insects are attracted to soiled clothes causing further damage.