The View – Oil Based Stains .56

We’re taking about oil-based stains and how people should NOT rub stains because it can cause color loss. Then Joy starts tossing clothing … madness ensues!
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The View – Water Based Stains .56

I’m trying to explain about water-based stains and how it takes skill to remove them. Joy is all over my case insisting, “What can I do RIGHT now?”
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The View – Inspect Your Clothing 1:22

I show Joy & Meredith how easy it is to inspect your clothing at the end of the day and I say, “It’s therapeutic like gardening…” and Meredith shoots back, “It’s nothing like gardening.” She was cute.
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The View – Opening Clip .51

Opening of The View, with an introduction of The Clothing Doctor, Tom Berenger …

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The View – Full Length Feature 7:46

This clip contains the whole Clothing Doctor segment; Inspection, Stains & Stain Emergencies, Oil-Based, Water-Based Stains, and Underarm Stains, Hanger and Mothballs!

 

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Shoe & Boot Philosophy

My shoe philosophy is like my clothing care philosophy: The care of shoes and boots start the moment you begin to shop. Recognizing how you will actually use the shoes will shape your purchase. If you want something to last, then care and cleaning are as important as choosing the right style!

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Purse Cleaning

Expert Purse-Cleaning Services
Don’t discard or retire expensive handbags and purses when they become soiled! Cloth and leather handbags and purses – new and heirloom – can be professionally cleaned and restored by our Certified Couture Cleaners. Simply send the bag(s) to our experts in New York or San Diego and you’ll be wearing them with pride in 2 weeks!

You Can Assess it First

Before you try to remove stains from your hand bags and purses, consider the following details and always ask yourself a few questions first:

  • When removing stains from leather, suede, and fabrics with texture, your biggest problem will be rinsing out the stain and stain remover, without causing rings. Take this seriously.
  • Rings caused by water and stain material are extremely hard to flush out at home and may result in limited removal by professional technicians.
  • Stains that are simply “Swipes” are usually easier to remove than absorbed stains. Swipes can often be removed by you, without problems, depending on the material. (All products must first be tested in a hidden area.)
  • Ask yourself if the stain is oily or water based
  • Size of stain: If it’s larger than a dime and looks concentrated, the stain will probably bleed or run before it will come out.
  • If the stain has color , such as chocolate, wine, lipstick or color from ink, then removal will be tricky. The more color, the more likely it will spread.

Ask the Professionals
It’s very easy and cost effective. Visit these links: Hallak Cleaners of New York and Margarets Cleaners of La Jolla. You will get a phone call or email as soon as your bag arrives.

Fabricare Symbols

The following information is provided by the U. S. Federal Trade Commission as part of Project Clean. The symbols appearing on garment labels provide care instructions from the manufacturer.

As a minimum, laundering instructions include (in order) four symbols: washing, bleaching, drying, and ironing. Dry Cleaning instructions include one symbol. Additional symbols or words or both may be used to clarify the instructions. The water temperatures listed below are provided as a guideline. Actual water temperatures obtained in the home depend on washing machine settings (hot, warm, cold), regional supply temperatures, and water heater settings.

The water temperatures listed below are provided as a guideline.  Actual water temperatures obtained in the home depend on washing machine settings (hot, warm, cold), regional supply temperatures, and water heater settings.  Following the care instructions can make a significant difference in the life of your garments and becomes even more important when you’re dealing with delicate fabrics that are common in party dresses, dress shirts, and other fine clothing.

 

WASH
Normal

Permanent Press / Wrinkle Resistant

Gentle / Delicate

 

Hand Wash

Water Temperature 50C / 120F (Hot)

Water Temperature 40C / 105F (Warm)

Water Temperature 40C / 105F (Warm)

Warning: Do Not Wring

Warning: Do Not Wash

BLEACH
Any Bleach (when needed)

Only non-chlorine bleach (when needed

 

Warning: Do Not Bleach

 

DRY
Dry
Normal

Permanent Press / Wrinkle Resistant

Gentle / Delicate

Heat Setting: High

Heat Setting: Medium

Heat Setting: Low

Special Instructions: Line Dry / Hang to Dry

Special Instructions: Drip Dry

Special Instructions: Dry Flat

Special Instructions: Dry in the Shade

Warning: Do Not Dry (used with do not wash)

Warning: Do Not Tumble Dry

IRON
Iron
High

Medium

Low

Low

Warning: No Steam

DRYCLEAN
Dry Clean
Any Solvent

Dry Clean – Normal Cycle: Any Solvent except Trichloroethylene

Dry Clean – Normal Cycle: Petroleum Solvent Only

Professionally Dry Clean: Reduce Moisture

Professionally Dry Clean: Short Cycle

Professionally Dry Clean: No Steam Finishing

Professionally Dry Clean: Low Heat

Warning: Do Not Dry Clean

15 Point Prescription for a Winning Wardrobe

Fashion, personal style, and clothing care are mutually important when building and maintaining a wardrobe. This “Top 15” list will change, over time, but will never stray from the basic premise; we spend too much money on our clothing to not know how to take care of it. I hope you can embrace a few of these suggestions and make them work for you.

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The Art of Preserving the Party Dress

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of donning your favorite “special occasion” gown and twirling around in front of a mirror. That’s true whether you’re a forty-something woman attending a formal reception, a teenager preparing for her prom, or a tiny flower girl getting ready to walk down the aisle. But whatever the age of the wearer, these dresses demand special respect. After all, there’s a reason why velvet, chiffon, organza and taffeta aren’t “everyday” fabrics!

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Glorious Gown

PRESS RELEASE: Garment guru Steve Boorstein offers a wealth of wedding gown info—from cleaning to preservation to restoring that hundred-year-old heirloom dress.The bridal gown! Is there a lovelier symbol of your matrimonial hopes and dreams? Whether you choose a slinky designer original, buy a budget-friendly (but still beautiful) off-the-rack creation, or restore Grandmother’s gown, what you wear down the aisle will always hold a special place in your heart. But if you’re like most brides, you probably don’t think much about the proper care of your gown. Practical issues are far from your honeymoon-based mind!

 

HenryRoth.comAfter you wear your gown, you’ll certainly want to hold onto it. Indeed, many brides dream of bequeathing their gowns to their daughters, or pulling them out to wear at some future anniversary party. That’s why you should think about such issues as cleaning, caring and preservation from the very beginning.Following are a few tips from The Clothing Doctor’s new book, The Ultimate Guide to Shopping & Caring for Clothing: Everything You Need to Know . . . From Blue Jeans to Ball Gowns
  • Read—and heed—the care label. The label may say that the gown must be sent to a post office box in another state, or it may even have such daunting instructions as “Do not dry clean. Do not wash.” Furthermore, the gown may have glued-on pearls, sequins and trims that pose special cleaning problems. Be sure to consult with the boutique manager or even make a quick call to your dry cleaner before you buy. You may not be concerned with long-term care issues right now, but rest assured, after the wedding you will be.
  • Second-hand gowns: know their limitations. Older gowns may have unmovable stains and color inconsistencies, and certain restyling and repair options may be impossible. That said, here are some encouraging facts:
  • If the gown has yellowed, it can generally be lightened by careful wet cleaning and possible bleaching. (Done by a professional, of course!)
  • If the style needs a bit of “sprucing up,” a patient and experienced dressmaker or tailor can do wonders.
  • If a bustle needs to be made, it can be done. If there is deterioration to lace or other areas, it can be replaced. If there are unsightly stains that cannot be removed by wet cleaning, consider applying lace or applique.
  • Clean your gown after the wedding. You must have your gown cleaned right away if it is to be of use to anyone in the future. Just remember that dry cleaning is not a magic process and it may not be able to remove all stains. But it is usually effective on oils, makeup, lipstick, wax, some grass stains and light hem soil. If your dress has “invisible” spills from champagne or wine, they may show up later – try to recall their location so you can convey that information to your dry cleaner.
  • Foster-Stephens.comPreserving your gown. After your gown has been cleaned and inspected, you should store it and any accessories in acid-free tissue inside an acid-free box. This is the best environment in which to preserve your gown! Poor storage, or none at all, will ruin it. Choose a dry cleaner that specializes in bridal cleaning and preservation. Finally, be sure you are told it’s okay to open the box every year to check out the gown—if you’re told that doing so will “void the warranty,” move on to another dry cleaner.
  • Make all of these plans before the Big Day. After the wedding, you’ll be on your honeymoon and your mother will be too frazzled to take care of your gown. That’s why it’s best to designate a helper to bring your gown in for cleaning and preservation. Boorstein includes two forms – “Wedding Gown Inspection Sheet” and “Stain Diagram for Gown, Veil, and Headpiece” – for you to give to your helper before you leave town. (Be sure to buy her lunch when you return!)
“Choosing a wedding gown is one of the few once-in-a-lifetime decisions,” says Boorstein. “That’s why you should not only select it with care, but treat it with the utmost respect.  Someday, you will be glad you did.”

Fashion Without Fear

The Clothing Doctor Speaks to Men: Fashion Without Fear
If you’re like most men, shopping for clothes ranks somewhere near “having a root canal” on your list of favorite activities. Chances are, you’re just too busy during the week, and your weekends are devoted to attending your kid’s soccer games, playing golf, or lounging in front of the TV. Perhaps you have the nagging feeling that there’s something, well, unmanly  about having an interest in fabrics and fashion. Or maybe, just maybe, you have no fashion sense and are intimidated by the whole subject.

Now there’s good news for shopaphobics! Garment guru Steve Boorstein—also known as “The Clothing Doctor” – has written a new book called The Ultimate Guide to Shopping & Caring for Clothing: Everything You Need to Know . . . From Blue Jeans to Ball Gowns (Boutique Books, LLC, September 2002, ISBN: 09717669-0-8, $19.95). Don’t worry, you can skip over the “ball gown” part—there’s plenty of good, solid, plain-English info on how to shop for quality men’s clothing and keep it looking like new. For instance:

  • tomJames.comA hint about designer three-button jackets. Most designers, from casual to formal, are making three-button jackets that are intended to be worn as a three-button and naturally roll to a three-button without the help of the drycleaner. When you try on a style like this, you will know immediately, because the lapel is cut perfectly to suit the roll. This designer version of the three-button jacket, different from the “classic” three-button by Brooks Brothers, is very fashionable. These jackets are available in a wide variety of colors, fabrics, and textures.
  • Get your suit slacks half lined. Having suit slacks half lined (lined just to the thigh area) will prolong their life. If the suit slacks are not lined, have a half lining added at the time of purchase. Lined slacks are more comfortable to wear, and the lining minimizes thinning of fabric as a result of friction. High quality casual slacks made of gabardine and other fine wools are often already half-lined by the manufacturer. They are sleek, cool and comfortable.
  • TomJames.comAvoid “problem ties.” Selecting a necktie is a personal decision. You should buy the fabric that best suits your taste, but stay away from known problems like these:
    • Light colors with dark or vibrant prints can limit stain removal and may bleed from water and spills.
    • Dark lining behind light colors, solid or printed, may bleed through during stain removal. Try to buy ties with light linings or at least with the same color as the shell.
    • Salt-and-pepper designs (black & white threads) that appear as gray have a history of bleeding from water, spills and stain removal.
    • Check tips to make sure they are even. Hold the tie at different angles to check for snags and deluster. Lay the tie flat on the counter to check for ripples. If it is not absolutely flat, it will only get worse with use. Satin ties deluster and snag most easily.
  • Indulge in a few custom-made shirts. If you are tall, short, robust, or thin—or in any way “hard to fit” – custom shirts are just what The Clothing Doctor ordered. This means you design your own shirt; you select the fabric, the style of the collar and cuffs, and the sewn or fused construction. The only remaining detail is making the shirt fit your body.
    • Because you may be required to order six at a
      time, ask for a prototype first.
    • TomJames.comDo not be timid about your wishes. This investment of your time and money may produce many great shirts in the future. This is the time to speak up.
    • Ask if collars are preshrunk before the shirt is constructed. Many custom-made shirt collars have progressive shrinkage, so you may want to order the collar a half inch larger to account for that problem.
    • Remember that the more unique the buttons, the more mismatched buttons you will have down the road. Ask the shirtmaker for a bag of extra buttons.
    • Many off-the-shelf shirts can be replicated for you by a custom shirtmaker. If you like the fit of one of your shirts, have it replicated in your choice of fabric and style.

To starch or not to starch? The real story:

  • Starch is usually added in the washing machine. In this process, the whole shirt is starched, not just the collar, cuffs, and placket. (These parts are designed with a double-thick material or an interlining, which makes them feel considerably stiffer than the body of the shirt.)
  • If you still complain about the collar and cuffs being too stiff while the rest of the shirt feels “soft,” seriously consider changing shirt brands. Remember, sewn collars and cuffs will be softer than fused ones.
  • Starched shirts can be uncomfortable in warmer weather. On the plus side, starched shirts hold their body and shape longer than shirts without starch.
  • Medium to heavy starch can cause cotton fabric to turn brittle and can shorten the life of the shirt. You may see some premature tearing at stress areas such as the elbows and across the back. Oxford cloth shirts are particularly sensitive to prolonged exposure to heavy starch.
  • TomJames.comWhen buying a tux, think realistically about the future. If you are a man whose weight has not varied more than five pounds in many years, congratulations. But if you do have a history of sliding up—and perhaps down—the scale, consider the following:
    • Each time you alter a jacket or slacks, you create new sewing machine holes. Though they can be “steamed out, they cannot always be totally hidden. Buy your tux in a size that you can live with for years, according to your own history of weight gain or loss.
    • Although a tuxedo is a formal item and serves to show a certain sophistication and sense of style, you can have it altered to be fitted “casually,” but professionally.
    • When you buy your tuxedo, be sure to find a style that will stand the test of time. Avoid trendiness and lean toward “conservative.” Steer away from unusual lapels. You might consider taking your partner with you for feedback.

“Dressing well is all about confidence, which we all know is intricately linked with success,” asserts Boorstein. “When men know a few basic rules, they can look sharp and stylish without having to stress about it or spend inordinate amounts of time wandering in the men’s department. That’s why I wrote this book. Who knows? Read up on the rules before your shopping trip, and you might actually find yourself having fun.”

Visit TomJames.com now.