Choosing Superior Cleaning Services

So you have a brand new dress that you love. The problem is, this beautiful new dress of yours has a beaded trim - that's what attracted you to it in the first place. Unless you only admire it on the hanger, it is going to have to be cleaned eventually. Whether or not you spill something on it, properly cleaning any garment with beads, sequins, or metal accents requires more than throwing it in the wash.

Spot Cleaning

When to Use: If the garment has a non-oily stain but is otherwise clean.

How:

1. Place the stained portion of the garment face down over a clean white cloth or paper towels.

2. Dip a cotton swab in a stain removal product or dry-cleaning solvent.

3. Rub the cotton swab gently on the wrong side of the garment over the stained area. Work from the outside in to keep the stain from getting larger.

4. The stain should transfer from the garment to the absorbent padding. Move the stain to a clean place on the padding, or change out the padding a couple of times during the process.

Dry Cleaning

When to Use: If the stain is oil-based.

How: When you take clothes to the dry cleaner, such as Cove Cleaners, they are washed with a liquid solvent instead of water. However, they often experience the same agitation and heat as clothes would in your washer and dryer at home. The agitation could be damaging to the trim on your garment. Ask the dry cleaner to possibly air dry the garment and to test any glued on beads with the solvent to make sure that they will not come unglued. If you have metal accents on your garment, ask the dry cleaner to use foil to protect the embellishments. You can also request that the dry cleaner hand clean your garment. A professional dry cleaner should be able to properly take care of your clothes and return them in the same condition they went in, only cleaner.

Laundering at Home

When to Use: If the garment is relatively stain-free.

How: If you choose to wash the entire garment yourself, it is safest to hand wash it.

1. Fill a plastic tub or clean sink with a gallon of cool or lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon of mild laundry detergent.

2. Turn the garment inside out and swish it around gently in the water to get it wet and soapy. You can gently rub the garment, but avoid twisting or scrubbing it.

3. Remove the garment and lay it on a towel. Empty the water and rinse out the basin or sink to get rid of any extra soap.

4. Refill the sink or basin with cool water. Dunk the garment in the water and remove it quickly. Continue this process until the soap is gone from the garment. You may need to empty and refill the sink or basin again.

5. Remove the garment and let it drip over the sink. Then lay the clean garment on a new towel over a flat surface. Lay another clean towel over the garment and gently press down on the towel to remove the excess water.

6. Place the garment on an indoor drying rack and allow it to dry completely.

If you do try putting the garment in the washing machine, place it inside a mesh laundry bag for protection. Afterward, check the bag and the machine for any pieces that may have fallen off. Depending on the type of embellishment, you may be able to reattach them.  Also avoid ironing the garment if possible.

The majority of beaded or sequined garments meet their demise in the laundering process. However, if you take special care of your garment every time you wash it or have a professional dry cleaner wash it for you, then you should be able to enjoy it for a long time to come.