Consult the experts blog

Color loss on shirt collars.

2011-08-03T11:55:00.000-04:00

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

The problem arises with the sudden appearance of local

color loss areas on or near the neck edge of blouses and shirts.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

In most cases, the color loss appears along the neck fold of

the collar. The discoloration can be all around the collar or

just in localized areas, such as in only the right and left side

front areas. Depending on the color of the fabric, the color

change usually shows up as orange, pink, yellow or cream.

Some fabric colors, however, may change to other shades.

WHAT CAUSED IT?

Chemical testing and colorfastness tests on these shirts

indicate that the dyes are affected from the prolonged effects

of solutions containing either alcohol or mild oxidizing

agents (bleaches) or both. Some common solutions containing

alcohol include perfume, cologne, after-shave lotions,

skin fresheners, hair tonics or plain rubbing alcohol.

Oxidizing bleaches can be found in many skin preparations

and medicines, such as medicinal lotions, acne creams,

depilatories (agents for removing body hair), and other skin

treatments.

CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

Sometimes, the dye damage is not immediately visible

because of perspiration and body oils, which produces a stain.

Furthermore, the damaging solution itself may contain some

color or oil of its own that masks the damage. Therefore, the

dye disturbance may not actually appear until after the stain

is removed in subsequent drycleaning or washing processes.

Only in some cases, if the damaging solution is removed from

the shirt by cleaning it immediately after wear, can subsequent

dye damage be prevented.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

Only the consumer can be held responsible, since the solution

that causes the dye disturbance originally made contact

with the garment during wear.

IS THERE A REMEDY?

There is no method to reverse this type of color loss.

Sources: International Fabricare Institute

http://dev9.cantongroup.net/pdf/SLP/SLP52.PDF

Can Dry Cleaning be Green and Clean?

2011-04-08T15:58:00.001-04:00

Since it's Earth month, I thought I write a short piece on the environmental issues with dry cleaning.

Did you know that organic dry cleaning is hardly “organic”? Any chemist knows anything with a carbon atom in it is organic, like gasoline. Some dry cleaners have exploited this term, and many unsuspecting people think “organic dry cleaning” is chemical free. Most dry cleaners nationwide are still using traditional dry cleaning methods involving hazardous chemicals called PERC or Hydrocarbon (a "natural" petroleum solvent).

There is an entirely new process developed by Solvair we installed in 2008 called our Glacier Dry Cleaning.
The advantages of our Glacier Dry Cleaning vs.traditional dry cleaning are:

• A truly “green” way of dry cleaning; every step considers the environment.

• Cleans better than traditional dry cleaning.

• Keeps white garments, bright. No yellowing or graying.

• A truly gentle and cold process; heat is not used so stains never set.

• NO ODOR.

In the past 50 years, dry cleaning has not changed much until now. As a family owned dry cleaner for over 50 years this is the first innovation that we have seen which is truly amazing. It not only solves all the environmental issue but it cleans better too. A win-win for us and the consumer.

The case for the missing garment?

2011-01-11T12:01:00.000-05:00

Situation: You believe you did not receive one of your garments back from the cleaners so you ask them to look for it. Your cleaners search for the garment but cannot seem to locate it anywhere so they suggest you (the customer) misplaced the item. You (the customer), double checks at home and still cannot locate the garment so now you are for sure it’s the cleaners who misplaced the item.

Has this scenario happened to you?

If so, perhaps your cleaners still tracks garment items manually and has not invested in advance software systems and heat seal barcode technology. The advantages of using a cleaners that utilizes heat sealed barcode technology are:

Tracking garment history- Dates and # times cleaned, service performed (cleaning, alteration, etc.)

Track garment details- brand, color, item type.

Track garment processing stage- when it’s detailed, cleaned, finished, delivered/sold.

At Nu Yale Cleaners, we are committed to tracking your garments with the highest level of accuracy. That’s why years ago we invested in advance software systems and heat sealed barcode technology to provide you (the customer) with the best garment tracking/details possible. So don’t wait for another garment to go missing at your cleaners. Come see the Nu Yale difference today!

What can I do if I'm too busy during the holidays to make trips to the dry cleaners?

2010-12-07T15:01:00.000-05:00

Solution: Check and see if your cleaners offers a FREE pick up and delivery route service to your home/office. It's a strange concept to some, so I thought I'd answer a few common questions I receive about our route service.

1. When do you come by for pick up/delivery?

Depending on your location, we follow a Monday & Thursday or Tuesday & Friday schedule.

2. Do I have to be home for delivery?

No. We provide you with 2 garment bags and a clear door hang for your front door.

3. Should I worry about my clothes being taken?

No. This has not been an issue for us or thousands of cleaners across the country.

4. Do I need to call you for a pick up?

No. We will always be by 2X a week whether you have soiled garments or not.

5. How do I sign up for this free service?

You can sign up at www.nuyale.com or give us a call at (812) 285-7400.

At Nu Yale Cleaners, we are committed to saving you time and money with your dry cleaning. Once you try our free route service, you'll never want to make another trip to the cleaners again. So give us a call or sign up online and come see the Nu Yale difference today!

3 easy ways a dry cleaner can help you go green?

2010-10-06T13:59:00.000-04:00

After recently receiving the 2010 GLI inc.credible award for the Greening/Sustainability category, I would like to share some simple ways to protect the environment with your dry cleaner.

The Dry Cleaning Process: Is your cleaners still using a hazardous solvent called Perc or Hydrocarbon? If so, seek a cleaners that has proactively switched to a CO2 based process or Solvair. These are currently the only methods approved by the EPA and are more effective in removing a wider range of stains.

Recycling Hangers: Some cleaners may use a biodegradable hanger while others actively promote the recycling of hangers by providing free hanger caddies for their customers.

Free pick up & Delivery: See if your dry cleaner offers free pick up & delivery to your home or office. This not only saves time and money but also helps the environment.

At Nu Yale Cleaners, we are truly green in all three areas. Our New Glacier Dry Cleaning developed by Solvair is the only in Kentuckiana. We encourage our customers to return hangers in our free hanger caddies and any customer can utilize our free pick up & delivery service by simply signing up on our website. Go green and come see the Nu Yale difference today!

Getting to know Nu Yale Cleaners!

2010-09-22T17:32:00.000-04:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

A few things to consider before your big wedding day.

2010-09-07T16:34:00.008-04:00

As a your local wedding gown cleaning and preservation specialist, I’ve been hearing many brides ask questions about how to best care for their gown to ensure it looks the best on their wedding day. So here’s some tips from the professional.

Storage: Take your bridal gown out of the garment bag if the bag is plastic and hang your bridal gown where it will be safe from children or pets. Wrap it in a clean sheet to protect it from light and dust.

Traveling: The easiest method is to have a wedding gown specialist like us press, hand steam, and stuff your gown with tissue so it can travel safely, and we can make those little repairs to loose beads or hanging threads, too.

FREE! When you pre-purchase your wedding gown preservation from us or any member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialist you receive a free pressing!

At Nu Yale Cleaners, we have been a long time member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. We have certified & trained specialists on site to clean and preserve gowns backed by a 100% international guarantee. So trust us with your gown and come see the Nu Yale difference today!

The post wedding dilemma: A few things to consider when deciding where to have your gown cleaned and preserved.

2010-08-18T15:11:00.002-04:00

Situation: The wedding is over and just as you thought all the wedding decisions were done, you realize your gown needs to be cleaned to preserved. When deciding who you can trust with your gown here are a few quick things to find out.

Look for a cleaner who specializes in cleaning and preserving wedding gowns. Most cleaners DO NOT handle wedding gowns in house. They send them off to a specialist, often in another state. Not good. You want a cleaner who takes responsibility for your gown.

Ask if the cleaner has been specially trained and is a member of an Association. The last thing you need is someone who is going to practice or “learn on the job” with your beautiful gown.

What kind of guarantee does the cleaner provide? Today or twenty-five years from today, who is going to honor the guarantee that your gown will still be in perfect, ready-to-wear condition?

At Nu Yale, we have been a long time member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. We have certified & trained specialists on site to clean and preserve gowns backed by a 100% international guarantee against. So trust us with your gown and come see the Nu Yale difference today!