A Cleaner World Blog

shopping

How to Shop for Quality Clothes

Stores these days are full of fast fashion pieces that only offer a few wearings before they start to fray and fade. As a result, shopping can be a challenge, especially when you are looking for timeless classic pieces that will last you for years. In this article you will learn what to Look for When Shopping for Quality Garments …

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clothing shrinkage

What Causes Clothes to Shrink?

The fit was perfect when you first purchased it, and now it is not. What gives? It does not matter the garment – sweater, t-shirt, trousers – all fabric is stretched as items are made. Then when clothes are washed, they are exposed to heat, agitation, and moisture; and therefore, the fibers shorten, leaving your perfectly fitting garment smaller than it was before. The good news is that by following the garment’s care label and knowing a little bit about fabric, you can avoid the shrinkage issue. …

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Curtains

Caring for Curtains and Drapes

It’s important to regularly clean your curtains so you don't reduce air quality in your home. A Cleaner World shares tips on how to get more life out of your drapes and what to keep in mind if you’re shopping for new ones. …

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sewing machine alterations

Why Tailoring and Alterations are Great Options

Before donating a clothing item or replacing it because there’s a rip or it needs hemming, consider getting it altered or tailored at a Cleaning World. Read why tailoring and altering is a better option and what services we offer. …

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poison ivy

Removing Poison Ivy from Clothing

Just a few weeks ago, I had a run in with poison ivy, which surprised me because thanks to Gray and Boy Scouts, I am really good at identifying it. But we live in the country, have several acres to maintain, have a Beagle that likes to roam and roll, and I am obsessed with keeping the landscaped areas pristine. The odds are stacked against me. …

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recycling

Can You Recycle Fabric?

You’ve cleaned out your closet, and you have three piles – keep, donate, and trash. You know what trash garments are; they are the items that are so far gone that you are too embarrassed to even donate them. My husband once had a pair of shorts that he wore entirely too long; there were way more holes than continuous fabric. One day he decided that they had served their purpose, and like so many other Americans, he threw them in the trash. …

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Shopping

How to be an Ethical Shopper

In June, we talked about Fast Fashion, and earlier this month, we discussed Repurposing Old Clothes. Next week, we will be talking about recycling textiles. We’ve also learned about a movement called “Slow Fashion” where manufacturers focus on using natural fibers and creating quality garments by workers being paid fair wages. Why focus on these topics? We should be concerned about the environmental impact we are making while trying to look good. After all, consumers have the power to guide the fashion industry away from “Fast Fashion” and waste by changing our purchasing habits. …

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perfume

Can Perfume Have a Negative Impact on your Clothing?

Perfume dates back to 1370, and I suspect was created to help mask the fact that folks didn’t bathe daily, but today perfume is so much more than a potion for masking odor. Scents seem to invoke memories of people or places more so than …

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faded clothing

How to Restore Faded Clothing

I take such good care of my clothes, so it bothers me when I put on a pair of black pants only to notice that they look faded. When this happens, I typically run through all the usual culprits like redeposition and proper care, but truthfully, black garments, even if you do everything right, can be difficult to care for, especially when it comes to black docker-type pants. One option to bring a faded garment back to life is to dye it. …

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shirt

Repurposing Old Clothes

My solution, when I no longer want or need a garment, is to donate it to a local charity like The Salvation Army. In fact, A Cleaner World accepts donations at our Triad locations for The Salvation Army through our Donate Goods, Do Good project. As I was researching for last week’s blog post on Fast Fashion, I sadly discovered that many organizations that sell used clothing are unable to sell every item. Sometimes they can ship items overseas to other countries that have a need, but sometimes those garments end up in landfills. …

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shirts

What is Fast Fashion and What's Wrong with It?

I’ve never been a trend-setter when it comes to fashion; in fact, I once took a fashion quiz that labeled me as an Audrey Hepburn wannabe. It’s true; I love black, A-line cuts, and timeless pieces, so I’ve never been one to purchase ‘fast fashion’ …

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sunscreen

How Sunscreen Impacts Your Clothes

I am often guilty of not following much of the advice and tips I share online, but in this instance, I am deliberate about applying either the lotion or sunscreen well in advance of dressing, giving it plenty of time to dry. I’ve never had an issue of staining with the lotion, but on occasion, even with being as careful as I am, I’ve had oily spots because of the sunscreen. …

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Rug Cleaning

Keeping Your Area and Oriental Rugs Looking Like New

Our last few months of home confinement has caused me to conquer lots of projects around the house like closet cleaning, purging, and organization, which has been quite liberating. But, while I can’t believe that I could find a downside to getting rid of stuff …

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Joe Harmon

Meet Joe Harmon, A Cleaner World Store Manager

So many times it’s who you know, and for Joe, it was another A Cleaner World manager that spoke highly of both the company and the job. Four years later, he’s running one of my favorite locations – Battleground Avenue in Greensboro. Besides being my favorite location, this A Cleaner World store is the one our president, Chris Edwards, ran when he was a store manager many moons ago. …

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sun

What is Sun Protective Clothing?

I love warm weather and abundant sunshine; if I had my way, it would be sunny and 85 degrees 365 days a year. But I also have a fair complexion, so every single day, rain or shine, I slather up with a skincare lotion that …

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