HANOVER, MA…
In most parts of the United States, the advent of fall brings on the beginning of sweater season. While a wonderful way to keep warm on a crisp autumn morning, sweaters also present a number of challenges when it comes to cleaning. To keep your sweater clean and prolong its life expectancy requires a conscious effort. One slip can literally be the end.
“Because sweaters are made from so many different types of fibers and fabrics, it is always recommended that you read the instructions on the care label before cleaning them by hand, by machine, or by dry cleaning,” said Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning, an innovative, environmentally friendly dry cleaning company based in Hanover, Mass. “People often have the mistaken impression that caring for sweaters is tricky and difficult. It’s actually fairly simple, particularly if you wash your sweaters by hand.”
Hand washing is a fairly easy process and does not take long. You can use baby shampoo for a gentle wash.
First, turn your sweater inside out to protect the outside surface fibers from pulling. Fill the sink with tepid or warm water, add a small amount of natural detergent (the baby shampoo) and mix in lightly but not enough to create suds. Place the sweater in the water and gently push it under until it is completely wet.
“You want to let it soak for 20 minutes. This will allow the water and detergent to penetrate all the fibers of the sweater,” said Dubois. “You also want to avoid kneading or rolling the sweater around. Too much handling while the sweater is wet can cause stretching and pulling.”
Let the soapy water out of the sink and run fresh tap water over the sweater until all bubbles are gone. Allow the sweater to drain for a few minutes and squeeze very lightly. Lay the sweater out flat on a towel and roll the towel. Press to remove the excess moisture.
To dry, place your sweater on a towel on a flat surface and reshape it gently – button cardigans, roll collars into place, and straighten sleeves. Let your sweaters dry overnight laying flat on a towel. Turn over, reshape, and leave to dry. Drying time can take up to 72 hours depending on the thickness of the sweater and the humidity in the air.
“Not every sweater must be washed by hand. The care label on the sweater will tell you whether your sweater can be machine washed or dried,” said Dubois. “Sweaters that can be machine or hand washed should either be tumble dried at low temperatures or laid flat to dry. If you must dry your sweater on a clothes line, place a pair of pantyhose through the arms of the sweater and pin the hose, rather than the cuffs, to the line.”
If after your knitted sweater dries you need to take out wrinkles, turn the garment inside out and put a damp cloth between the iron. Never iron 100% acrylic yarn – it flattens and stretches the yarn fiber forever. Steam acrylic garments to remove any wrinkles.
“If you do not feel comfortable with this method or are worried you might damage your sweater, the safest thing to do is take it to your local dry cleaner,” said Dubois. “It may cost more but you are fairly certain to get back an unharmed, clean sweater.”
Lapels has pioneered its eco-friendly dry cleaning experience over the past 10-plus years. Using the latest technology in equipment and cleaning solution, Lapels is one of the few dry cleaners around to be able to boast that there is no hazardous waste in their process. Lapels environmentally-friendly cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, thus lengthening the life of clothes. At Lapels you can see, feel and smell the difference.
Lapels customers are greeted to a warm and inviting reception area, with friendly customer service representatives, and a full service on-site tailor.
Lapels offers its customers Automatic Rewards earning them credit towards free dry cleaning for every dollar they spend, Loyalty Programs, a VIP Program which eliminates the need to wait in line and the use of a 24 Hour Drop Off Service. Same day service is also available with pick-up after 5 pm.
For complete information on Lapels Dry Cleaning, please visit www.mylapels.com.
Lapels Dry Cleaning – Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
Each Lapels Dry Cleaning store offers a full slate of services, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown preservation; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage. Lapels Dry Cleaning has stores in Arizona (Gilbert, Chandler), California (Poway), Colorado (Littleton), Connecticut (Cromwell), Louisiana (Monroe, West Monroe, Delhi, Rayville, Winnsboro), Massachusetts (Abington, Bedford, Boston, Brighton, Cambridge, Cohasset, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Franklin, Hanover, Marshfield, Natick, Newtonville, Norton, Quincy, Walpole, Westford, Westwood and Wilmington), Missouri (Wildwood), New Jersey (Brick, Freehold and Verona), Ohio (Liberty Township), Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg), Rhode Island (Lincoln); South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, Forest Village); Texas (Brownsville). Additional locations are coming soon to Austin, TX, Cedar Park, TX, and Needham, MA.
Lapels Dry Cleaning has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s 26th Annual “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” identifying Lapels Dry Cleaning as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.
Lapels Dry Cleaning corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339.
To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels Dry Cleaning, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email sales@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.
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