The Items You Should Definitely Dry Clean

Sudsies Cleans Everything in Your Closet.  From undergarments to dresses to ski coats to dance costumes, we’ve cared for it all. Plus, we clean what’s not in your closet as well, including items like tablecloths, towels, and bed sheets. We love taking care of our guests’ wardrobes; delivering neatly pressed and packaged clothing is a very satisfying and rewarding part of what we do.  Although we can clean it all, we often get asked: What should I be sending to get dry cleaned regularly? To answer, we put together a list of items that absolutely shouldn’t go in the washing machine, plus a few that you might not know Sudsies can clean for you: Sequined dresses and anything else with embellishments: These items are extremely delicate and are often hand-stitched. Putting them through a regular wash cycle could ruin the entire item by pulling apart that stitching. Most embellishments also cannot withstand high heat, so it’s possible they could melt in a regular wash/dry cycle. Sudsies regularly treats sequined, beaded, and jeweled items and knows how important it is to handle them with care.  Dark silk scarves and anything else that could bleed: One way to test this is to use a light-colored towel to blot a wet spot on the scarf. You’ll know pretty quickly if the colors might run, which could ruin both your scarf and the other items cleaned with it. However, it’s easier and safer to have light-colored silks cleaned at the dry cleaner as well (so you don’t have to spend the time hand washing and you can avoid any mistakes).  Leather jackets and other leather and suede items: Leather can easily dry out and crack if it is not cared for properly. It can also be easily discolored by water or other items, and there is a risk of shrinkage as well. It is definitely an item you would never want to put through a regular wash/dry cycle. Sudsies sees leather items on a regular basis and has the expertise to remove stains while preserving the integrity of the garment. Suits, dress coats, business attire: If you want your best attire looking sharp, don’t clean it yourself. These items have a special shape to them, and throwing them in your washing machine could be detrimental. Dry cleaning preserves the integrity of the fabric and form, and it leaves it crisply pressed for your next use. Plus, dry cleaning adds longevity and keeps your favorites around for years to come.  Anything with pleats, folds, lapels, lining: Whether you have a suit or a dress or a jacket that includes one of these, it’s important to know just how much a regular wash cycle can damage it. Pleats, folds, and lapels can become misshapen and might never return to their original form and size. Lining can bleed or shrink or even break apart, pulling away from the layer it is attached to. If you want your clothing to retain form and function, it’s important to get it dry cleaned. Anything with a “Dry Clean Only” tag. While this may seem more obvious, some people take the risk and ignore the tag. If you see a tag like this, it’s important to dry clean your item. And even if you don’t see the tag, if you know your item is more delicate and high-quality, it’s important to dry clean it.  Fur coats and other items containing fur: The skin under the fur can quickly shrink when exposed to water, so fur coats should never be hand washed at home. These items are extremely delicate and should be handled by a professional at Sudsies. Winter outerwear: Many outerwear garments like coats, pants, gloves, and hats, are made with special material to repel cold and wet conditions. This material can start to break down over time if washed in a regular washing machine, but dry cleaning can extend its life, help maintain its functionality, and keep it looking like new.  Children’s clothing: Children’s items can be just as delicate as adult clothing. Things like suits, christening dresses, and other special items should certainly be dry cleaned. But don’t forget about those super soft clothes that your child loves wearing – over time, if washed regularly, they will start to lose their soft feel. Dry cleaning can extend the life of these items and even keep them around long enough to be handed down several times.  Sports clothes: Have a favorite golf shirt that you want looking crisp for your next outing? Ride horses and need your coat and breeches cleaned and pressed before the next competition? Want your favorite team jersey looking its best before the big game? These are all items we regularly clean at Sudsies. 

Slopes to Sudsies: Dry Cleaning Your Ski Clothing

Winter enthusiasts invest not only in the most world-renowned slopes and luxurious ski lodges, but also in the exceptional quality and style of our high-end ski clothing. From designer garments to technical fabrics, winter clothing becomes more than just gear – it shows our passion for our favorite snow sport. Aftercare of these items is very important, and dry cleaning is the ultimate solution for preserving the longevity, cleanliness, and impeccable appearance of our winter wardrobe favorites. The Materials that Make Ski Clothing Unique Designers craft high-end ski clothing from a variety of specialized materials designed to withstand the harshest conditions while providing optimal comfort and performance. Common materials include: Gore-Tex: Skiers recognize Gore-Tex for its waterproof and breathable properties, and designers  often use it in ski jackets and pants to keep the wearer dry and comfortable. Thinsulate: This synthetic insulation material is lightweight yet effective, providing warmth without adding bulk. Designers often include Thinsulate in ski jackets and gloves. Merino Wool: Used in socks, base layers, and accessories, merino wool offers natural moisture-wicking, insulation, and odor-resistant properties. Softshell Fabric: The best ski pants and jackets contain softshell materials, providing a flexible and breathable option for activities that demand a wide range of motion. Down: Discerning skiers prefer down insulation for its exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. Designers often include it in high-end ski jackets and vests. Why Dry Cleaning is Essential for Ski Clothing Prolonging Longevity: Ski clothing is an investment, and dry cleaning is the key to extending the life of these high-performance garments. Traditional washing methods can compromise the delicate materials and specialized coatings that make ski clothing effective. Dry cleaning, with its gentle yet thorough process, ensures that each piece is treated with the care it deserves. Dry cleaning also preserves both form and function. Maintaining Impeccable Appearance: High-end ski clothing often features intricate designs, technical finishes, and vibrant colors that set them apart. Traditional washing can cause colors to fade and fabrics to lose their luster. Dry cleaning keeps ski garments looking sharp, maintaining their aesthetic appeal on and off the slopes. Odor Elimination: After a day on the mountain, ski clothing can accumulate odors from sweat and outdoor elements. Dry cleaning enhances your overall winter sports experience by effectively eliminating these odors, ensuring that your ski clothes smell fresh. Shipping to Sudsies: Convenience Beyond the Slopes For winter enthusiasts who value both their time and their ski wardrobe, Sudsies offers a convenient solution. Rather than carrying bulky ski clothes on flights, you can ship your garments to Sudsies at the end of your vacation. The professionals at Sudsies will clean your ski clothing and also ensure your items are carefully prepared for storage or your next adventure. Also, Sudsies goes above and beyond by offering a unique service – shipping your ski clothing directly to your destination. Imagine arriving at your winter getaway to find your meticulously cleaned and pressed ski attire waiting for you.  Types of Ski Clothes That Can Be Dry Cleaned Sudsies caters to a variety of ski clothing items, ensuring that every piece receives the specialized care it deserves: Ski Jackets: Gore-Tex, down-filled, or softshell, Sudsies’ dry cleaning process rejuvenates and protects your high-end ski jackets. Ski Pants: From technical fabrics to insulated designs, Sudsies ensures your ski pants are cleaned and maintained to endure the toughest conditions. Gloves: High-end gloves with intricate insulation and water-resistant properties receive careful attention to preserve their functionality and appearance. Neck Gators and Scarves: Sudsies treats these accessories with the delicacy they deserve, ensuring that neck gators and scarves maintain their softness and vibrant colors. Headbands and Hats: Whether it’s merino wool, technical blends, or luxurious fur-lined headwear, Sudsies takes care of these accessories to keep you warm and stylish. Socks: Sudsies cleans Merino wool socks to perfection. This material is essential for its warmth and moisture-wicking properties. Underlayers: Base layers made from technical fabrics, including merino wool, are handled with precision to maintain their performance capabilities. Don’t Forget Your Apres Ski Attire! The apres ski scene is as much a part of the winter experience as the slopes themselves. From high-end loungewear to sophisticated outer layers, Sudsies provides a premium dry cleaning service for all your clothing. Whether it’s a designer cashmere sweater or a chic alpine-inspired dress, Sudsies ensures that your post-skiing wardrobe maintains its elegance and comfort. Just like with your ski garments, you can ship your apres gear to Sudsies at the end of your trip so you don’t have to carry on any bulky items while traveling. Sudsies inventories, cleans, preserves, and packages all your items and either ships them back to you or delivers them to your home via valet.  Off-Season Care: Preparing for Winter Hibernation As the ski season winds down, Sudsies offers a comprehensive service for preparing your ski clothing for the off-season. Sudsies ensures that your winter wardrobe is ready when the first snowfall arrives by cleaning and inspecting technical materials. Sudsies inventories your gear and can produce this list for your household manager if you desire. Let Sudsies help you keep track of what you have and what you might need before the next season begins.