I have worked in the dry cleaning industry for almost 30 years. I worked in my family's dry cleaning operation as a manager and owner. Currently, I write a blog for those in the dry cleaning industry, as well as work for a manufacturer of dry cleaning chemicals. Over the years I have spent in the dry cleaning industry, I estimate that I have been in over 2000 dry cleaners in the US.
You got me on that one. Unfortunately, I have no experience working in the state of California.
Not every dry cleaner does repairs on garments. Some will have full alteration/tailor shops, some will send their garments out to be repaired, while others will offer the basic repairs. Some of the high end and better quality cleaners will offer minor repairs at no charge. It all depends on how the owners have set up their operations.
There have been quite a few problems with dye fading in garments containing spandex as of late. So without seeing the garment, yes, it could be possible that it is a manufacturer's problem.
The grease stains are tough to tell, solvent that has not dried evenly of thoroughly can leave a greasy appearance (similar to a food grease, not a black grease). The steam burns you describe could be a result of brown dye fading and not scorch. It is pretty tough to tell withoug seeing it.
Does the care label say the garment is dry cleanable? Was it dry cleaned in Perc, HydroCarbon or another solvent? Some of the current dye fading problems are occuring more in HydroCarbon than other solvents and can often be corrected when cleaned in Perc if the garment is safe to clean in Perc.
Sometimes dry cleaners can stretch a garment back into the original size. It depends on the fabrics, finishes, equipment used and the degree of shrinkage you are trying to correct.
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What's the closest you've come to "losing it" on someone you were helping?That is a difficult problem. As the previous owner of a drycleaner, I would have to say that the customer is USUALLY right. In this case, I would try to get the garment cleaned up with the grease marks removed for you. The downside of this is that the garment may be very difficult to clean, with some risks involved, depending on the skill of the cleaner and construction of the garment. Hopefully, you have a professional dry cleaner that you are working with, that will be reasonable to work with.
They may be able to stretch these a very small amount, but usually this correction is lost in future cleanings and will be needed again the next time.
When it comes to laundering shirts, it is a great idea to point this type of problem out to the counter person that is taking the garments in to be cleaned. Even though there may be tape on the garment, laundered shirts are done in large volume and often the stain removal process is done after the shirts have been laundered the first time.
The dry cleaner may be able to use a VDS type stain remover, along with an OTPR to remove it. However, the plastic in the tape may be melted/embedded so deeply in the fibers of the shirt that it cannot be corrected.
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