Do you wish to clean your comforter, but you don’t know where to start? To give you a hint, you should look at the comforter’s care label to see the laundry symbol.
There are some comforters which can be washed in a washing machine. Others are only allowed to be washed by hand. And for delicate comforters, dry cleaning is the best way to carefully clean them without damaging the fabric.
If you have no experience in dry cleaning your comforter, you will be pleased to know that the time it takes to dry clean is a bit similar to when you wash it but will require you less effort.
What Happens During the Dry Cleaning Process
When using a washing machine, you allow water and detergent to get into the fabric to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities. And if your comforter’s material is delicate, then too much water and machine work can damage materials such as silk, cashmere, and wool. To prevent this from happening, you need to take your comforters for a professional dry cleaning service.
So how does dry cleaning work?
Instead of water, dry cleaning will sanitize your comforters using a chemical solvent, perchloroethylene, or perc. It looks like water, but it is actually a nonflammable cleaner that can degrade oil, wax, and all forms of grease.
Other dry cleaning services will mix perc with a small amount of mild detergent. Since detergents are surfactants or those compounds that can decrease surface tension, combining this will allow perc to be absorbed by the comforter’s fabric and remove stains.
Here are the steps for dry cleaning:
1. Inspection. The professional dry cleaner will delicately inspect your comforter for any damage, stains, loose threads, or any flaw that needs attention and repair.
2. Pretreatment. Once they see the stains, they will treat them first before moving on to meticulously clean the fabric.
3. Cleaning Stage. Next, your comforter will be set down in a dry cleaning machine. This machine has four powerful parts that work together to clean your comforter: a solvent-distributing pump, a solvent tank, a housing cylinder, and filters.
- Your comforter is placed inside the cylinder.
- Then, the solvent tank is filled with perc.
- Next, the perc is pumped into the filter, removing debris or impurities before reaching your comforter.
- When the perc passes through the filter, it will then enter the cylinder and then proceed with sanitizing your comforter.
- The perc then returns to the filter after a few minutes, and the impurities are removed before going back into the cylinder, and the process repeats.
4. Drying. After washing, your comforter will be dried at around 77-122°F. The temperature will be adjusted accordingly based on your comforter care recommended instructions. In this step, mites are also removed from the fabric.
5. Finishing Stage. Your comforter is finally done and ready to be pressed to get rid of wrinkles, folded, then secured in plastic, and ready for pickup.
How Often Should You Dry Clean Your Comforter
It is recommended that you dry clean your comforter every three months to get rid of all the mites, dust, and debris when you constantly use it. If you are sensitive to allergens, it’s best to send your comforter to dry cleaning once a week so you won’t have to worry about getting allergies from your comforter.
What Happens When You Machine Wash Your Comforter
Too much water can damage the original feel, appearance, and quality of your comforter. So, it’s best to skip the washing machine and just send your comforter to dry cleaning. This method will effectively remove any impurities without damaging the fabric.
Conclusion
Your comforter, just like your other delicate clothes, should be properly cleaned and taken care of. The best way to gently and effectively clean it is through professional dry cleaning. Doing so can prolong the life of your comforter without damaging or decreasing the quality of the fabric.
Goodfellow Cleaners is a team of professional and experienced dry cleaners dedicated to taking care of your most valued garments, including your precious comforter. If you need Riverside South dry cleaning for all your everyday and special occasion clothing, schedule a service today.