Make room for summer by clearing out the old, the tired, the worn. Ten things to start: jeans you no longer wear, concert and event t-shirts, the dress you’re going to fit someday, unwearable shoes (no matter how cute), nostalgic oldies, the bridesmaid dress, ill-fitting bras, anything with shoulder pads, empty hangers, that really expensive piece you never wear. Bag it all and give it to a charity. You’ll feel great, especially when you see all the new closet real estate.

Celebrate Flag Day today. Fly your flag and give it the care and respect that’s right. Washing Your Flag.  Most outdoor flags are now made of polyester or nylon, meaning they are more durable than cotton and can be washed by hand (in the bathtub or washtub) or by machine, in warm water. They can be soaked and pre-treated, if needed. Older flags, which were typically made from cotton, are more prone to fading, degradation, tears and stains; specifically mildew and rust. It’s best to let flags air dry, regardless of the fabric content. Drycleaning Your Flag. Ask us about drycleaning your flag. We can make repairs and remove stains like rust or mildew. Respect the Flag. Since Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag in May of 1776 specific rules and conditions for displaying Old Glory have been established. For all the details, visit the National Flag Foundation.

To get more life from home washables, air dry or use a no heat setting on your dryer. High heat and over-drying damage most fabric fibers and weaken construction. What is dry enough? Clothes should feel a little moist coming out of the dryer. Cotton fibers have a 6% natural moisture level — if you overdry they just reabsorb moisture from the air. Take them out a little damp and hang in fresh air for final drying to avoid shrinkage and fading that tend to happen in the last 15% of dryer time. If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor hanging space, your clothes will dry naturally, smell fresh and lose a couple of wrinkles from a relaxing hang in the breeze.

Invest in a good pair of professional shoes. Think loafers and Oxfords, dark colors and classic lines. Women can wear flats or heels but be sure they are comfortable. 2. Adapt for the season: summer heat can be too much for full traditional interview attire. Whatever the season, you should be dressed to fit in to the work environment. 3. Take your time. Allow an extra hour to get ready to give yourself time to make sure everything, including your hair, makeup and shoe-shine, is perfect. 4. Comfort and confidence are key.  Looking professional and reflecting company culture is important, but feeling certain that you look your best is critical. Wear an outfit that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Relax, be your best, and win at your job interview.

Making the right first impression at your interview is easier when you’re confident and calm. Dressing the part always helps. First, err on the side of formality with a suit or blazer, especially for an office or retail position. 2. Avoid distractions like scent, jewelry or statement accessories. 3. Look the part. Visit the store or company website to see how your peers dress. 4. Details count. Obviously, your outfit should be clean and wrinkle-free (we can help with this part). Double-check your résumé for errors, turn off your phone and, if you wear glasses, make sure they too are sparkling clean. Now stand up straight, take a deep breath and good luck.

Did you know we preserve more than just wedding gowns? Specialty linens and homemade afghans are just two of the precious things we can clean and package for long-term storage. Don’t forget christening and ceremonial gowns, vintage clothing and treasured letter jackets. For true archival preservation, garments should never be wrapped in anything but neutral pH tissue and archival fiber. Air flow is important – and plastics can off-gas destructive chemicals. Keep your heirlooms properly stored for generations of joy.

After winter’s hibernation, it’s time to freshen your nighttime environment. Begin by stripping the bed down to the mattress. If you use a mattress pad, launder (or bring to us) and dry thoroughly, hanging on the line, if you have one. Flip and rotate the mattress. Is it time to replace your pillows? Unless they are very high quality down, it’s usually less expensive to buy new than clean old. Sniff test the winter comforter, blankets or quilts. We can clean them to like-new freshness – even king size is no problem for our machines. You’ll be snuggling up in fresh, crisp bedding.

By timheitzman Clothing was an important indicator of wealth and social standing in ancient Roman culture, and fullonicas provided laundry services to clean their white woolen togas. The best cleanser for sweaty togas was ammonia, and the best source of ammonia was urine. The garments were soaked and agitated in a mix of water, alkalis and urine, then rinsed and dried in the sunshine. A vigorous brushing with thistle restored a fresh look to the togas. Keeping citizens looking neat and tidy, the fullonica laundry was a respected and essential part of ancient Roman society. …read more From:: Ancient Roman laundry.

By timheitzman Too often, keepsake garments take up valuable closet space and get crushed in the process. We not only clean and archivally pack wedding gowns, we also preserve baby outfits, prom dresses, christening gowns, letter jackets, costumes and ceremonial garb, military dress uniforms, even Grandma’s afghan. Give your treasures the special treatment they deserve. Thoroughly cleaned and properly packaged, your keepsakes will preserved for the future and ready to stack on a shelf. …read more From:: Closet clutter.

By timheitzman Shirts and blouses can go both ways – let us know if you like a lot or a little starch for crispness. Or do you like a smooth softer feel instead? Our professionals launder and press shirts and blouses with the finish you like best. Not all shirts are the same, so remember to tell us your preference when bringing them to us. …read more From:: Starched or soft?