NOLA Laundry Services - New Orleans Dry Cleaners and Laundry Services

When go into your local dry cleaning store you drop off your clothes and a few days later, you return to pick up your clothes. But, do you ever wonder what happened to your clothes while they were at the dry cleaning shop? Do you know what dry cleaning is and how it works?

In spite of the name, dry cleaning is not completely dry. Fluids are used in the dry cleaning process. In the 1930s, perchlorethylene or *perc*(a nonflammable, synthetic, chlorinated based solvent) was introduced and is used today in many dry cleaning plants. Other cleaning solvents such as Green Earth (silicone based solvent), Hydrocarbon (petroleum based solvent), Rynex (Glycol Ethers), and Liquid Carbon Dioxide have been added, and still others are currently being tested.

The dry cleaning process begins with the pre treatment of spots and stains using special cleaning agents. The garments are then loaded in to a machine resembling an oversized front-loading washer. It produces similar mechanical action to loosen embedded dirt and throughout the cleaning process, the solvent is filtered to ensure its purity. The garments are then dried in the same machine and should have no solvent odor after cleaning. After they come out of the machine your garments are hand finished on specialized presses to ensure that your clothes are returned in a "like new" condition.

NOTE: Dry cleaning is not the answer to all soil and stain removal problems. Sometimes, stains become permanently embedded in the fiber, or fabrics cannot withstand normal cleaning and stain removal procedures, or decorative trim is not compatible with dry cleaning solvent. It is important that consumers as well as drycleaners read all care labels and follow the instructions.

Wet cleaning is a professional garment cleaning technique that uses detergents and water. Professional cleaners in the 1930s and 1940s wet cleaned about one-fourth of all the garments that came through their shops. Back then, wet cleaning was used mostly on natural fiber garments, and dry cleaning solvents were used to clean the remainder. The introduction of specialized, non-flammable solvents in the 1950s, however, allowed cleaners to dry clean virtually any type of fabric, including natural fibers. As a result, wet cleaning was no longer necessary.

Driven by concerns about the toxicity of dry cleaning solvents, recent advances in both wet cleaning technology and garment care have revived wet cleaning as a safe alternative to dry cleaning. Trained cleaners are now able to wet clean many garments that have typically been dry cleaned, such as silks, woolens, linens, suedes, and leathers. Modern machine wet cleaning uses large, specialized machines to gently wash and dry clothes. These machines may be programmed for many variables, such as mechanical action, water and drying temperature, moisture levels in the dryer, and water and detergent volume. This flexible technology provides cleaners with the controls to administer a customized wet wash suited to a fabric's specific needs. For example, wet cleaners can set the machines to as few as six revolutions per minute to reduce the stress placed on delicate fabrics during the wash cycle. (In contrast, a typical home washing machine may rotate garments several dozen times per minute.) To safely clean fabrics that can shrink when washed in water and dried, cleaners can increase the amount of water spun out of wet garments after the final rinsing cycle, so that minimal drying is needed. They can also control the temperature and humidity levels during the drying process to prevent shrinkage. Trained wet cleaners also use other tools to ensure that garments are safely cleaned. For clothes that bleed, cleaners can apply an agent that prevents dye from washing out of garments. New, mild bleaching detergents can be used to remove tough stains without diminishing color. Fabric softeners and finishes can be added during the wet cleaning cycle to restore fabric softness, body, and crispness to garments once they are dried.

NOTE: Although there have been great advances in the wet cleaning processes, dry cleaning has been and continues to be the most preferred and least problematic way of cleaning clothes. Professional cleaners utilize both methods to remove the stains and return your garment in a "like new" condition.

Professional laundering for shirts, jeans, khakis, lab coats, chef jackets, table linens and other "washable" items is another process that we use to keep your garments looking their very best. Special detergents, additives, and finishes used in conjunction with very specialized washing machines set commercial laundering apart from home laundering. After your garments have been laundered they are kept damp and then ready to be pressed. This laundry pressing process gives your garment a very "crisp and sharp" look and feel that cannot be done at home. This is achieved by drying your garment on laundry presses that are 300+ degrees with forces that approach 100 psi on your clothes.

Most shirts and blouses made from 100% cotton or a cotton / polyester blend can be commercially laundered. However some garments that are too small, too large, or have additional decorations or trim cannot fit on commercial laundry equipment and must be hand finished. Also, some clothes with care labels for washing in cold or warm water and press with low heat should be dry cleaned or wet cleaned to prevent any damage such as melting or shining. Clothes made from fibers with Rayon, Spandex, Nylon, Polynosic, Flax, Silk, Wool, Linen, Acrylic, Tactel and Acetate should not be commercially laundered because they may become distorted and may not withstand the intense heat used in the finishing process.

NOTE: One of the major reasons a dry cleaned or wet cleaned shirt or blouse costs more is because they take 5 to 7 times longer to hand finish, depending on the style of garment and any corresponding trim.

Our Wash and Fold Laundry Service is a convenient and affordable method of sending out your laundry to be done by professionals. Unlike our dry cleaning or commercial laundry services, this service launders your clothes in commercial washers and dryers similar to those you might have at home. There are many time starved people such as professionals, students, business owners, skilled laborers, and senior citizens that take advantage of our Wash and Fold Laundry Service to save them time and reduce the headache of dealing with "laundry day."

A good wash and fold laundry service begins with dropping off your unsorted soiled laundry. Our service will identify the washing requirements of each item of clothing and separate them by color, temperature, and degree of agitation. Then our professional staff can safely wash every load with a high-quality detergent, chlorine or all fabric bleach, and optional fabric softener. They will gently dry your clothes, and carefully fold anything that doesn't need to be ironed, such as knit shirts, pants, or socks, for you to pick up at your convenience.

Also our coin laundry facility has the added convenience of professional dry cleaning for items that need to be pressed. A typical Wash and Fold Laundry Service charges by the pound and folds all of your items. Our service goes one step further by offering hangers, de-greasers, de-odorizers, and pre-treatment of stains at no additional charge.

Other convenient extras include the ability to wash your drapes, area rugs, comforters, sleeping bags, sheets, and oversized items in special large capacity washers. If you could place a dollar amount for what your time is worth to you, you will definitely save money by using a Wash and Fold Laundry Service. No need to buy, install or repair a washing machine or dryer at home. Also, you never have to buy detergent, softener, bleach, hangers, pre-spot chemicals, not to mention the added convenience of eliminating this all day chore.

We can handle most repairs such as hems to pants, replacing zippers, altering waists, and taking up sleeves on coats. More complex repairs such as tapering coats or re-weaving should be taken to a professional tailor. Please allow three (3) to seven (7) days for repairs to be returned. Below is a list of the most requested items. If there is something not listed, please feel free to call or e-mail us about your alteration.

Pants Hemming Tip – To get the accurate length for hemming pants, wear the shoes that will go with the pants. Stand on a stool or a table and have a friend pin the hem one (1) inch from the bottom of the heel.

Altering Sleeve Length Tip – Place the coat or shirt on and place your arms at the side of your body. Have a friend place a pin at the break (bottom of where your wrist bends) of your wrist.