What’s worse than a stain? Well, lots of things. But when you’re the victim of an accidental spill, most of us want instant gratification.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that careless garment triage can actually make the situation far worse. By the same token, it’s easy to inadvertently shorten the lifespan of your wardrobe through improper storage or routine cleaning.  Hey, you buy only the best. You want your clothes to last.

Blot, don’t rub, that red wine stain. Photo from ocdrycleaner.com

Here are some simple tips to help ensure your cleaner will be able to return your clothing to like-new condition.

1). The number one rule all cleaners try to beat into their clients: Always blot or soak a spill from fabric. Rubbing can damage textile and remove the dye. Once that kind of damage sets in, it’s very difficult to reverse.

2). Bring your garments in for professional cleaning as soon as possible after a stain occurs. Stains left too long can become permanent and damage the fabric.

3). Protect your clothing from perfumes, lotions, antiperspirants and hair products. Many of these solutions contain alcohol and will damage some dyes. These “invisible stains” often appear after being exposed to the cleaning process.

4). Protect garments, especially silks, from excessive body perspiration. Body salts can weaken fibers and cause dyes to discolor.

5). Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will also weaken fibers and discolor areas of the garment.

6). Never press stained or soiled clothing, as the heat can set stains.

7). Point out stains on your garment or discuss concerns with our customer service personnel. The more we know about a stain, the better we can treat it.

.8). Have matching coordinates cleaned together so the colors will remain consistent.

9). Never store leather or fur in plastic packaging. Animal hides need to breathe to maintain their appearance.

10). Be selective when you choose a dry cleaner. Many people shop cleaners based on price… this can actually be a costly mistake. Fine cleaners process garments by hand, and take care to ensure the job is done thoroughly. Cheap cleaners often let the machines do the work and return clothing without inspecting it. Remember… once a favorite garment is damaged, it’s not always possible to repair.