In the latest issue of Laundry and Cleaning News International, Roger Cawood, a cleaning auditor advises on best practice. Cawood believes that the best method to gain customers is to put even more effort into showing established and potential customers that the business maintains the highest standards throughout the operation.
He emphasizes that dry cleaners cannot afford to allow any garments to leave the store unless it is clean and well finished. Good stain removal is essential and damaging a garment in any way through carelessness in stain treatment is unacceptable.
Cawood outlines his two most important points:
1. A dry cleaner should be capable of carrying out a thorough pre-cleaning inspection to spot faults that might cause problems in processing, such as localized color loss.
2. And at the other end of the production line, a thorough final inspection procedure is vital to ensure that high standards are consistently maintained.
We completely agree with the main points Roger Cawood highlighted in his article and try to exercise these best practices on a daily basis. To prove our point, we would like to walk you through the steps we take in order to care for your shirt or any garment at that.
Here at Z Cleaners, we provide a complex and methodical system to properly service the cadre of custom, made-to-measure and standard dress shirts that enter our shop. This exclusive distinction is not modeled by other cleaners throughout the valley. It’s not rocket science, but, it really does take a highly trained skill level and personal desire to provide the very best cleaning, ironing, inspection and packaging for a very large volume of shirts day-in-and-day-out, for our valued clientele.
Our system begins with…
Pre-Inspection
We begin by removing collar stays. Stays are replaced, after pressing, to eliminate irreversible impressions on the shirt. Pockets are checked and all items are removed. Manufacture care labels are read to note any special cleaning care requirements and all stains are identified and noted. Shirts are then super-sorted, keeping in mind the individual care regimens recommended for the various shirt colors, fabric types, buttons, shapes and pre-existing stains.
Cleaning, Steps 1 through 4
1. Correctly pre-spot all stains. Stains are sorted into various classifications and require one or several approaches to ensure the stains release, during actual cleaning.
2. Dry clean most shirts, to gently dissolve the oil-based stains, such a body oils, food oils, and personal care lotions. This prevents oxidation that may occur during the pressing process, which causes yellowing of the stains, and/or unsightly rings around the collar and cuffs.
3. Soak all shirts in our own gentle proprietary blended solution for a minimum of 12 hours. This releases all water based stains and soils and greatly brightens the colors. More importantly it eliminates any and all scrubbing needed, to minimize wear. Agitation, friction (caused by brushing and scrubbing), harsh chemicals and heat are the culprits leading to the early demise of your garments. Z Cleaners’ 3 step process truly make us unique compared to ANY other drycleaner in the valley.
Our methods and systemic approach are guaranteed to significantly extend the life of your investment. As a bonus, your white shirts will be the WHITEST in town!
4. After soaking, we gently launder your shirt and add the recommended personal starch preference. We use softened, cold or warm water (never hot), along with mild, PH-balanced soaps and starch. We never use chlorine bleaches or other harsh chemicals. And, we use only the finest natural starches available. Unlike the synthetic starches used by most other cleaners, natural starches remain consistent in body, after each wash. There is never that annoying starch buildup. Now they’re perfectly clean and starched. Finishing is next…
Hand Ironing
All shirts are hand-finished. In addition, those made with high-quality textiles, along with the custom/ tapered shirts and darker-colored fabrics are completely hand ironed, from head-to-toe. We pay extra-special attention to the collars, cuffs, side and sleeve seams, pockets, body-to-sleeve seams, plackets and even the labels. For those shirts requiring our premium, hand ironed shirt service, we have dedicated staff who hand-iron all day long, using no machines.
Final-Inspection
Following ironing, all garments are inspected multiple times, reviewing for any imperfections, including stains, pressing deficiencies, broken buttons and any other repairs needed. All items deemed deficient are personally reviewed by the owners, Steven & Geralyn Phillips.
Packaging
Collar stays are put back in, metal (chrome) cuff-links studs are added to the formal and French cuffs, and collar supports keep your collars looking great! Each shirt is individually packaged, to preserve the finish. Folded shirts are stuffed with tissue paper to preserve the ironing and make our product even more unique!
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