Samuels of ShropshireYou & Your Home

Stain Relief!

The weather seems to be improving and hopefully we will be making a pleasant entry into what I hope is a gorgeous summer.

We have had lots of winter clothing being brought in for cleaning prior to being put away, which is brilliant to see. It is much better to have your textiles cleaned before you store them away, regardless of how long or short that may be. Many stains cannot be seen and over time (especially if unclean fabric is placed in a sealed bag) they can develop into visible stains which might not be possible to remove, cause unpleasant odours or even cause the material, especially delicate natural fibres, to weaken and decay. Such staining can be from, but certainly not limited to:

  • Drinks (especially drinks like lemonade which are clear but contain a lot of sugar)
  • Sweat – and not just your own but maybe from another person you may have hugged or danced with
  • Animals you may have been in contact with, such as when a cat brushes against your leg
  • Grime from a car door which will not be visible on darker fabrics
  • Dirt from any uncleaned surface such as waiting room chairs, counter tops, shopping trolley handles, doors. It’s quite surprising how many surfaces we come into contact with that we either lean on or push with our bodies rather than use our hands

As well as your clothing, it’s important to clean your household fabrics before storing them away, such as your winter duvet or those thicker winter curtains.

Duvets put away into storage unclean can be very unpleasant after 6 months in a bag, especially feather/down filled duvets. Not only will they become very dull looking but they will have a very unpleasant odour which in some instances cannot be removed due to the cleaning limitations placed on them by the manufacturers.

Please don’t overlook the importance of getting items cleaned before storage, it may seem like an avoidable cost at the time but in the long run it can save you a lot of money in replacing items. If you need any advice with regard to storing textiles please feel free to call or email us, we are always happy to help.

Sam Bodkin
Samuels of Shropshire