Posts tagged speciality service

THE GUY’S GUIDE: SUDSIES 2014 MENSWEAR TREND REPORT & CARE TIPS

Let’s hear it for the boys!  The recent Milan Men’s Fashion Week showed that the male wardrobe has evolved way beyond the suit, t-shirt and jeans triad.  In fact, we too can have a little fun with our fashion selections with retro references, rockstar appeal, and even a little sheen.  After following all the major label runway shows, we compiled a 2014 Menswear Trend Report sharing our top picks for what should move on from the runway to street.  Of course, being the clean fanatics we are, we shared some care tips for each as well.

 

Vivienne Westwood
Photo by: Davide Maestri
Milan Men’s Fashion Week 2014

Activewear:  Understanding the active lifestyles of today, top designers introduced a more comfortable, albeit still luxe, side to their lines.  Marni upgraded traditional sweat pants and shirts via knitted materials, while Calvin Klein toppers included quilted-satin sweatshirts.  Vivienne Westwood presented three distinct versions of a track suit: one tight and grey, one baggy with black trim, and one a statement in all metallic gold.

Care tips:

  • Before purchasing, check the quality of the neckline and waistband to prevent over stretching
  • Don’t let the term “sweat” or “track” deter from proper care.  Even some athletic clothing require special treatment depending upon the fabric.  Check the labels carefully to determine if the garment is even safe to wash.  Easy-care or even delicate cycles may be best to maximize the life of the garment and reduce the dryer heat to “low.”
  • For knits, be mindful when putting on and taking off, so as not to stretch the neck.

 

 

 

Giorgio Armani
Photo by: Giovanni Giannoni
Milan Men’s Fashion Week 2014

A Softer Side:  Even traditional suits featured a softer silhouette.  Giorgio Armani fashioned his jackets after the cardigan to make them more relaxed.  Tailored pants were flecked with baggier trousers, yet still exuded the fine Italian tailoring.  Fabrics included velvet and corduroy.

Care tips:

  • Ensure proper hanging of these garments, using broad or heavily padded hangers to avoid warping.
  • If purchasing a two-piece suit, try to wear and clean together as much as possible to avoid uneven wear of one piece over another.
  • Never iron velvet – it can crush the fibers and leave an imprint.
  • While velvet should be dry-clean only, corduroy can be washed.  However, turn garment inside-out before placing in machine.  If ironing, run it over the wrong side of the fabric.

 

 

 

 

Gucci
Photo by: Giovanni Giannoni
Milan Men’s Fashion Week 2014

Rock On:  The soft and comfy were contrasted with rock-star influences.  Emporio Armani showed biker jackets of ponyskin underneath skinny pants of reflective sheens.  Gucci got tight with leather trousers and t-shirts, but also nodded to retro figures with pea coats and greek fisherman hats.

Care Tips:

  • The average consumer will probably own only one pair of leather pants, hence take care to find a pair that fits properly, yet comfortably.
  • Before wearing, treat with a leather protector to shield damage from rain… or beer spills.
  • Be selective about your cleaner, choosing one that specializes in leather.

 

 

 

 

Armor:  Dolce & Gabbana marched on with 11th century, Norman soldier-inspired gear, including open-faced chain-mail like balaclavas, sheepskin sweaters with Gothic crosses, and silk-covered overcoats painted with references to the Norman period in Sicily.

Care Tips:

  • Do not wash sheepskin with a darker colored pelt, as bleeding may occur.
  • Sheepskin can withstand some moisture, though it’s not ideal to have the garment soaked or used in lieu of a raincoat.  If this happens, gently blot with a clean towel.  Do not rub, as this will force moisture into the pelt.
  • Gently use tweezers to pull out any debris trapped in sheepskin.
  • When wearing silk, be particularly careful of snags from watches, rings or briefcases.

 

Mixing it Up:  In addition to looking good, garments on the Milan runway felt good too.  Designers played with unique fabric combinations to create new looks.  Flax was woven into cashmere for a bolder silhouette and outwear was refreshed with neoprene bonded to Tuscan wool.  Cavalli even created an ombre effect, fusing herringbone and zebra prints.

Care Tips:

  • Even if combined with another fabric, do not hang cashmere tops, as they are easily susceptible to shoulder “horns” left by hangers.
  • Cashmere can be washed in mild detergents or shampoo and cold water only.  Keep in mind that the material can take days to dry.  The material should not be wrung, but laid flat out to dry.  Press a clean towel on the garment to help remove excess water.
  • While neoprene can traditionally a tougher material, it is usually best to dry clean wool.  Gentle washing is possible, but understand it could result in shrinkage and/or loss of the material’s softness.
  • When pressing wool, set use steam heat only, never dry.

 

Remember, among Sudsies’ specialties are designer garment and couture care processes.  So feel free to leave the dirty work to us, so you can just focus on looking good.  Now, that’s a trend worth picking up!

 

For other resources on how to care for your most delicate garments, check out our Cloth Behind the Clothes Series by following the links:

References:  All photos used for Sudsies 2014 Menswear Trend Report were taken from the Women’s Wear Daily website and featured in this year’s Milan Men’s Fashion Week.  To view all of the Men Collections/Runway looks for the Autumn/Winter 2014 season, please go here:

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Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry Announces Expansion of Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Systems

Clothing at Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry will take on an even greener tone.  The South Florida-based dry cleaner announced the expansion of its environmentally-friendly cleaning department with the most recent high-performance equipment and agents.  These processes mainly incorporate Professional Wet Cleaning and Hydrocarbon Cleaning, cited by the Toxic Use Reduction Institute (TURI) in Massachusetts as among the top alternatives to traditional perc dry cleaning systems that better support environmental and consumer health.

“It’s not easy being green, but it’s among our top priorities here at Sudsies,” says Founder and President Jason Loeb.  “We’re constantly exploring new and improved ways to impart the biggest impact on our clientele with cleaner, better-looking garments, while having the least impact on the environment.”

Professional Wet Cleaning is an alternative process incorporating biodegradable detergents, texture enhancers and specialized finishing equipment.  According the recent TURI report, the method does not emit hazardous air pollutants and requires the lowest electricity usage of all garment cleaning options.  Additional key environmental organizations including Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green Peace, and Sierra Club Green Home deem wet cleaning as the most eco-friendly solution.  While the technology isn’t the newest of the perc dry cleaning alternatives and has its limitations, it has evolved with significant improvements to its effectiveness and safety.  New cleaning solutions and computer controlled conditions are gentler on fabrics, helping to maintain the integrity of the garment and a new-like appearance.

Despite wet cleaning benefits, there is still no single cleaning process that is perfect for all types of clothing.  To best provide high-quality effectiveness across the vast range of its in-bound clothing, Sudsies has also incorporated Hydrocarbon Cleaning to its arsenal of green alternatives.  This second innovation does not rely on any Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-classified hazardous air pollutants to function and is recommended by the agency’s Design for Environment Program.  Sudsies’ hydrocarbon technology is especially suited for fragile articles, vintage wears, and intricate couture pieces, all of which are core specialities for the company.

Eco-friendly initiatives are part of Sudsies’ care trifecta for its clients, clothes and environment.  The dry cleaner’s full-service offerings include dry and wet cleaning, laundry, alterations, restoration services, vintage and couture care, bridal gown preservation and on-site home cleaning.  Customer convenience is further enhanced with complimentary personal pick-up and delivery to all locations across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as nationally via a Sudsies Express Mail service that cleans and ships garments across the United States.

More information about Sudsies and its offerings can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).

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Snow Bunnies: Good. Dust Bunnies: Bad The Sudsies Guide to Ski Wear Storage

Time to replace the hot cocoa with lemonade…ski season is coming to a close.  Hopefully, you’ve mastered a new trick or two on the slopes, though it’s likely your snow apparel underwent a little wear-and-tear in the process.  Before storing ski clothing, there’s a few things you can do to ensure its in tip-top shape for when the resorts reopen.

  • Give all items a good cleaning to remove any excess water and prevent mold and mildew from harboring over the summer.  This includes, hats, headbands, gloves, scarves and socks (no, your boots are NOT the best place to be storing your socks).
  • For the extreme winter sport adventurers (or just the accident-prone), now is the time to mend any rips and tears in jackets and pants to help prevent any further damage, as well as remove stains so they don’t permanently set or attract critters while in storage.
  • Once clean, do not store items in plastic bags or containers.  This will only lock in moisture and humidity, counteracting the benefits of cleaning beforehand.  Storing without any protectant or well-sealed coverings, on the other hand, can make clothing susceptible to insects and other pests.  Specialty storage boxes or natural cotton garment bags, such as those found at the Container Store, are good options.  Clean, ventilated suitcases are another alternative.
  • Ideally, avoid placing in environments prone to high temperatures.  Cool, dark, dry places help prevent any fading and mildew growth.

As for tips on extending the life of ski gear, check out this article from SkiMag.com: http://www.skinet.com/ski/article/how-store-your-ski-gear-summer

Proper storage takes a little extra effort, but come next winter, you’ll be ready to hit the slopes!  Let Sudsies make it a littler easier for you…we’re known for our specialty garment services and can have your items clean and ready for their summer hibernation.  For even more added convenience, make use of our new Sudsies Express Services, where you can ship your clothes to us right from your ski town and we’ll prepare and have them delivered back to your South Florida home, or wherever your Summer travels take you within the USA..

Sudsies Takes Competition to the Cleaners, Captures #1 Spot in WPLG Local 10 Top 10

The people have spoken!  Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry is officially South Florida’s most beloved dry cleaner as the category winner in the 2013 WPLG Local 10 Top 10.  The television station granted the company the top ranking following a dynamic voting campaign conducted through the station’s website and social media outlets.  Sudsies offers a full range of clothing and specialty item services across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including complimentary pick-up and delivery to its clientele’s location of choice.

“This is such a great honor,” says Founder and President Jason Loeb of the results.  “We’ve developed a great team that is truly dedicated to quality of work and above-and-beyond service.  It’s wonderful to see that our customers are responding enthusiastically to our efforts.”

 

Founded in 1996, Sudsies has been a pioneer in the industry, becoming South Florida’s first fully-mobile dry cleaner.  The company has expanded its services over the years to meet every customer need including environmentally-friendly dry cleaning, laundry, alterations, restoration and preservation, as well as care of couture garments, wedding gowns and other specialty items.  Most recently, Sudsies opened a second processing facility in North Miami and enhanced its customer convenience even further by offering Sudsies Express Mail services across the United States.

High-tech facilities, in-depth skills and expertise, and customer convenience are part of the Sudsies S.M.I.L.E. mantra to provide friendly, impacting experiences for its clients.  Both locations incorporate EPA-sanctioned green cleaning initiatives including wet cleaning processes, gentle detergents, water-conserving machinery and recyclable hangers and packaging.

More information about Sudsies and its many offerings can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).

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Going the Distance: Sudsies Launches Express Mail Service for Loyal Clients Nationwide

 

MIAMI, FL — Well-heeled travelers and part-time South Florida residents no longer have to despair about clean clothes when outside the Sunshine State.  Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry has announced that it will now offer Sudsies Express, whereby clients can mail their garments to the dry cleaner for care and return.  Sudsies Express is offered throughout the United States and includes all services – including cleaning, alterations, restoration and more – at regular pricing, plus the cost of shipping.

“Local or long-distance, we aim to make all our customer relationships a success,” says Founder and President Jason Loeb.  “We added Sudsies Express to help assure that clients and their garments will get our reliable service, no matter where their travels take them.”

The process is simple.  Customers enclose a special care form, found on the the company’s website, with their garments and mail them to the North Miami facility address, where the Sudsies team cares for the items and places them freshly pressed in a garment box for return.  While all services are offered via Sudsies Express, Loeb adds that it is particularly appealing for clients with designer or couture labels, garments in need of restoration or damage repair, or vintage pieces given the cleaners’ expertise and superior capabilities in working with specialty garments.  Another key user group are customers preparing to return to South Florida.  Instead of packing, they can ship their garments to Sudsies for a cleaning, followed by direct, complimentary delivery to their South Florida residence at the date and time of preference.

Sudsies continues to add offerings that enhance its quality of service and convenience for its clientele.  The company’s many core options include eco-friendly dry cleaning, laundry, alterations, restoration and preservation, couture work, on-site home cleaning and complimentary pick-up and delivery across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.  More information about Sudsies can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).

 

About Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry

Miami-based Sudsies is full-service dry cleaning company dedicated to clean clothes, clean service and a clean environment. An industry pioneer for South Florida home pick-up and delivery services, the Sudsies fleet of bubbly, blue and yellow vans offer prompt service to every nook and corner across the tri-county area, while a team of highly-trained specialists care for garments and customers with a smile. The vast range of services includes ecological dry cleaning and laundry processes, alterations and tailoring, clothing restoration, bridal gown storage or alteration and knowledge of specialty items such as couture garments. At Sudsies, customers look and feel their best, while sister company Rugsies Carpet & Drapery ensures customers live in their best with on-site home or office cleaning for carpets, drapes furniture and other home items. For more information about Sudsies, please call 1.888.898.SUDS (7837) or visit www.sudsies.com.
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Service, Service, Service!!!

sudsvanRemember back in the day, when businesses used to go that extra mile to assure your satisfaction and convenience at every step?

From the personal tailor in the luxurious department store to the hand-delivered, ice-cold gallon of milk on your front porch, it’s those special personalized touches that are often lacking in today’s hectic, need-it-now society. Sure, the word “convenience” is everywhere, but how often is it really and memorably delivered upon these days?

Well, Sudsies hasn’t forgotten what it was like then. And we’re dedicated to keeping that special feeling alive today.

At Sudsies, we pride ourselves on being eco-friendly, designer dud-savvy and prompt and professional. But if there’s one thing we truly hang our hat on, it’s our FREE pickup and delivery service.

Free pickup and delivery have been part of the Sudsies story since Day One, yet we’ve found that our customers aren’t always aware of this convenient and cost-saving offering.

So allow us to give you a quick primer.

It all starts at Sudsies.com, our interactive and easy-to-use website. Once there, just click on the “Free Pickup & Delivery” button along the left-hand side, then click the “Sign Up” bubble. That will take you to a fast form where you’ll be asked to enter relevant contact information, including service details and cleaning instructions.

Once you’ve signed up here, you can put yourself on a fixed schedule – daily, weekly, biweekly, whatever works best for you. If you want us to pick up your dirty clothes every Monday and deliver them freshly cleaned every Thursday, we can do that. If you’d like us to pick up every Tuesday and deliver every Friday, that’s cool too. You name it. We’ll make it happen. The choice is all yours.

And of course, if you happen to suddenly find a stain on your favorite dress and need us to swing on by, you can always go online to request a pickup – and we’ll alert one of our drivers in your neighborhood right away.

It’s that easy. That personal. That convenient. And best of all, it’s entirely free of charge.

It’s all part of our dedication to going the extra mile to make you happy. Without ever stopping to check the odometer along the way.

So what are you waiting for? Visit Sudsies.com today. And get reacquainted with the time-honored art of personalized convenience.

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