How soon should I bring in a stained garment?

As soon as you reasonably can. Most stains are easiest to remove within the first 24 to 48 hours, and the odds decline the longer a stain sits. Sugar-based and protein stains are the most time-sensitive.

Can you remove a stain I already tried to treat at home?

Often, yes, and it helps a great deal to know what you used. Some home products react with professional agents, so mentioning it lets the specialist choose a different approach rather than working blind.

Do you charge extra for stain removal?

Standard stain treatment is part of our normal cleaning process at no additional charge. Extensive restoration work on a heavily stained or high-value garment is quoted individually, and we'll always discuss it with you before doing the work.

What if the stain doesn't come out?

We re-inspect after cleaning and re-treat when there's a reasonable chance of improvement. If a stain isn't going to come out safely, we'll tell you rather than press it in and return it. Call us at (800) 299-7499 or email delivery@londoncleaners.kinsta.cloud if you have questions about a specific garment.

Can you get red wine out of a white shirt?

Fresh red wine on a stable white fabric is one of the more treatable tannin stains, particularly if it hasn't been through heat. Blot it, leave it alone otherwise, and get it to us. Please skip the salt, club soda, and white wine remedies, since they tend to spread the stain and add a second problem to solve.

Do you handle stains on leather, suede, and fur?

Yes, through a separate specialist process. Leather and suede shouldn't be treated with standard dry cleaning solvents or with water at home.

What about stains on a wedding gown?

Wedding gowns are the clearest case for acting quickly, because of the invisible sugar stains that dry clear and oxidize brown over the following months. Our wedding gown cleaning and preservation service covers cleaning and preservation packaging together.

How Often Should You Dry Clean a Suit? A Guide for Cleveland Professionals

You’ve got a big meeting on Monday, a wedding on Saturday, and a suit that’s been hanging in your closet since who knows when. Does it need a trip to the cleaner, or is it good to go?

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How often should I dry clean my suit?” You’re not alone. Knowing how often to dry clean a suit is one of the most common questions suit owners have, and the answer might surprise you: it’s less often than you think.

Dry cleaning a suit is a great way to safely clean it, but too much of it can wear it out. Here are a few tips and guides to help you find the sweet spot, so you can stay looking sharp without shortening your suit’s lifespan.

Does your suit need cleaning ? Let it tell you

Your suit gives you clear hints whether it’s time to dry clean it or not. Look out for these signs:

Stains: If your suit has any stains or spots like coffee or sauce, the sooner you treat it the better your chances are of getting it out for good.
Scents: If your suit has a distinct smell that won’t go away, hang your suit in an area where it can get plenty of fresh air overnight. If the smell doesn’t go away, it’s time to dry clean it.
Colors: When the chemical bonds in the fabric dyes begin to break down, the color begins to fade. A professional refresh can bring your suit back to life.
Wrinkles: Do you see deep wrinkles and creases on your suit? If traditional methods don’t smooth them out, a professional dry clean and press will.

No signs of these issues visible in your suit? Then it may not need a dry clean yet!

How often should you dry clean your suit?

Wool Suits: The long-lasting classic

This type of suit material resists odor and bounces back quite easily from wrinkles. If you wear your suit regularly, it is recommended to dry-clean it every 5 to 6 wears. In case you only wear it occasionally on special occasions, once a year is just fine. When your suit is visibly dirty, it is recommended to have it dry cleaned as soon as possible.

Wool blends: A little more attention

Wool blends are suits that are a mix of wool and other fibers. These materials are often wrinkle-resistant, but they can hold odors a little longer than other suit materials. For suits of this material, it’s recommended to dry clean your suit every 4 to 5 wears.

Summer suits: Cleveland heat is real

Lightweight linen, cotton, and tropical wool are wonderfully breathable fabrics, but they tend to soak up all the sweat on those warm and sticky days. For Summer suits, it’s recommended to dry-clean them every 2 to 3 wears. If the material starts to feel damp or has developed a funny smell, it’s recommended to dry clean it as soon as you can.

Habits that can hurt your suits

Dry cleaning too often

One reason a suit loses its shine and color is overcleaning. Dry-cleaning solvents can extract the natural oils from the suit material, causing the fabric to become thin, dull, or faded.

Ironing at home

Ironing your suit with a common iron may leave a shiny mark on your wool suit. It may also leave a permanent crease. If your suit is wrinkled, try using a garment steamer to flatten the creases. If that doesn’t work or you need a perfectly pressed suit for your upcoming event, professional pressing is the way to go.

Rubbing stains

The most common habit that can damage your suit is rubbing. Suit materials that have been consistently rubbed against chairs, armrests, or walls will fade or change color. In order to eliminate rubbing stains, you should try not to rub areas of your suit too often and have it dry cleaned to prevent the surface fibers from breaking up.

How to hang and store you suit like a pro

Properly storing your suit is just as important as properly cleaning it. Here are a few tips to help you hang and store your suit.

Choose a wide, curved, wooden hanger
Let it breathe: Hang your suit in a fresh area after every use.
Brush it off: A soft garment brush can help clear dust or lint immediately.
Properly store your suit: To store your suit, use a breathable garment bag. Cotton garment bags are the best for taking care of your suit. Plastic garment bags are a lot cheaper, but they trap moisture in them, which can then lead to mold.
Leave room between clothes: A full closet will lead to more wrinkles and less airflow. Leave room on your hanger between your suit and the clothes you store next to it.

Is it okay to just clean the pants?

Yes, stain accidents happen! Suit pants generally get dirtier than suit jackets as they tend to come into contact with food, sauces, and other substances. Sitting for long periods of time can also contribute to the condition of your suit pants.

It is common to just dry clean your suit pants, but keep in mind that the more your suit pants are dry cleaned than your suit jacket, the higher the likelihood of the colors becoming unbalanced. In order to preserve the perfect combination of a suit, dry-clean the pants and coat together from time to time.

Your Suit Deserves Only the Best, And We Make it Easy

Now that you understand how often to dry clean your suit, you also know how to best take care of it between cleanings.

At London Cleaners, we take the same level of care with every suit, every shirt, and every garment piece. We take the convenience to you by offering free pick-up and delivery throughout the greater Cleveland area.

Ready to have your suit looking as good as it did when you first bought it? Sign up now to schedule a free pick-up!