Modern cleaners make quick work of dirty delicates

SINCE SERVICE and saving the environment are buzz-
words of the ’90s, several entrepreneurs are introducing
new products that satisfy these elements and help you to

get your clothes clean.

Here are a few ‘‘miracle clean-
ers’’ that are made for very
specific purposes, creating a whole
new avenue for small independent
firms to specialize. They have ad-
ded appeal to the modern market
because they are environmentally
friendly.

Janie Dry Stick Spot Cleaner,
made of natural components, goes
on dry, is nontoxic and is
solvent-free.

It is also safe to use on any col-
or, any fabric (even silk and
suede), and it can’t leave a ring.

A powder in stick form that you
rub on, leave for three minutes,
and then brush away, it works by
absorbing oil- and grease-based
stains.

Unlike other spot cleaners,
claims Janie, if this compound
doesn’t remove the stain, it can’t
damage the fabric.

It is said to be equally effective
on clothing, upholstery and
carpeting.

I tried a sample, a little pink
cylinder holding the cleaner with
bristles attached, and it passed the
test, removing a stain from silk.

It-is sold in three sizes for ap-
proximately $3, $6 and $8, and is
available at some Shopper’s Drug
Mart stores, Super Valu in West -
Van, and some silk stores.

_- For more info, contact the Ca-
nadian distributor at 685-6977.

A cleaning solution that is made
for travelling allows two full
handwashes in one tiny bottle.

Concentrated Travel Wash is
said to be developed with green
technology, and will wash all of

- your delicate items including silk.

You simply add half of the
two-inch bottle in eight to 10
litres of lukewarm water.

Leave the garment to soak fora
few minutes, squeeze gently, then
rinse in lukewarm water, but do
not wring.

“ For stain removal, it is recom-

Crenna

FASHION STATEMENTS

mended to use the solution in its
concentrated form. It worked on
my cotton knit clothing, and it
certainly is smal] enough for trav-
el.

TravelWash is available at Beli
boutique in North Vancouver.

oee8

Forever New Clothing Care
Products also sells a biodegradable
fabric wash specially made for
fine washables, which is sold ex-
clusively through clothing stores.

The citric base cleans without
leaving a soap residue and will
remove residue from other clean-
ing.

It works well on lingerie,
hosiery, swimwear, activewear,
washable silks and woolens.

I tried the sample sachet on
some cotton Lycra activewear and

’ it did the trick.

The Fine Fabric Wash is made
of 100% active environmentally
friendly ingredients and is avail-
able in four sizes: $1 sachets and
$3.98 bottles are the most popu-
lar.

The firm also makes Lasting
Care Hosiery Wash and mesh
wash bags. The product is sold at

- Ruby’s, The Sock Exchange, Fatal

Attraction, Le Femme and
Sweatercroft on the North Shore,

or call toll free to 1-800-463-
CARE.

Forever New offers the follow-
ing clothing care advice:

& Lingerie can be hand-washed
or gently machine washed with a
gentle soap solution after each
wearing to maintain fit and shape.
Machine washing in a mesh bag
will help protect lacy and sheer
fabrics.

» Swimwear and aerobicwear

. Should be hand-washed after each

use to remove suntan oil,
perspiration and chlorine which
break down elasticity over time.

Man-made blends with Lycra
may be hand-washed in water 40°
or cooler.

Other fabrics which contain
Lycra, such as wool or silk,
should be gently hand-washed in
cool water or dry-cleaned.

> Silk can be hand-washed us-
ing a gentle fabric wash which
does not require agitation.

Rinse carefully since silk weaves
are weaker when wet.

For some silk fabrics, par-
ticularly from India and the
Orient, the color may run since
they are not properly set, so wash
them separately.

® Woolens should be hand-
washed in cool water to avoid
shrinkage.

To remove excess water, roll the
garment in a towel and press out
as much water as possible before
laying fiat to dry.

& Cotton should always be
washed in cool water to safeguard
against shrinking.

Cotton and other natural fibres
often have difficulty retaining col-
or, so wash only garments of the
same color together.

% The secret of stain removal is
to act quickly, of course, because
some substances leave permanent
stains only after they are allowed
to set.

Soak in cool water and a gentle
cleaner for a few minutes before

ae Bs
ASK WAYNE
Groduated 1968 from the Intemational
Fabricare Institute in Silverspring, Maryland,

How long should
my shirt last?

Q:
o
fA: Your favorite shirt is beginning to

© show wear around the collar and
cuffs, You wete sure it would last at least
six months. What happened? Actually,
shirts have an average life-expectancy of
35 to 50 washings. Of course, this fluc-
tuates depending on the fibre content of
the shirt and the wear and tear placed on
the shirt during use.

Some problems caused during manufac-
turing may contribute to the ‘demise’ of
your favorite shirt. What causes the col-
lar or cuffs to become dingy after only a
few washings or to have a spotted gray or
shiny look in certain areas? Adhesives us-
ed to fuse the collar and cuffs may be soil
prone, causing graying. Also, too much
adhesive may have been used to fuse the
coliar and cuff and the interfacing. This
adhesive can soften with the heat of prese-
ing and show through the fabric, giving
certain areas a spotty, gray a: ce, To
ensure tong life for vom Shit have it dry
cleaned.

CAROUSEL
CLEANERS

Gutoide location between
Canada Trust & The Bay

922-4811
Park Royal North
Dollar Shopping Centre
‘929-4890 _—.

46 The secret of stain removal is s to
act quickly ... because some
substances leave permanent stains
only after they are allowed to set.99

trying to take a stain out.

Don’t forget about invisible
stains such as white wine and
perspiration which will oxidize and
yellow over time if left untreated.

& Dryers are safe for most
fabrics if you don’t overdo it.
Clothes become damaged if they
have been left after they have
dried, but still exposed to the high
temperatures.

ONLY THE BEST
STYLE, QUALITY &
VALUE PERMITTED

AT TIP TOP TAILORS

Our quality contro! department has
rejected delivery of the following
item, shown in our Back to Business
flyer in last Wednesday's
newspaper:

TT& CO. SPORT™
SPORTSHIATS $24.99

One !ook at this item said it simply
didn‘t meet our high standards, so
therefore it won't be found in our
stores. Period. We sincerely regret
any inconvenience this may cause.

One look says you don't have
to look anywhere else.

Clothes should be removed’ -
while still damp and then air
dried. ;

Line drying is best for lingerie,
aerovicwear and swimwear, but it
will stretch out other knits made
of cotton or wool.

Silk and woolens should never
be put into a dryer. :

The look for fall aiid winter 93/94:

f Long skirts. worn with boots, boots, boots. fi
q Pants are both wide and narrow. Leather and ff
leathes-trimmed garments, ethnic patchwork
H prints, frills and long beads. (Hippie with |
style!) Colocs are nustic: orange, crimson reds, §
olive, pumpkins, beowns and toupes and greys. 2”
Winter white, camel and always black. Come
Bto ee for the latest look. °

BACK T TO
SCHOOL
WITH PLUM

Tobi Sport Jeans

Loose-fit or

Relaxed Marilyn

Cotton Crinkle Skirts
Black, Forest, Ink, Magenta

100% Cotton Turtlenecks

Leolours

Specially Priced

$35
$30

1 for $22

or 2 for $36.
or 3 for $45.

Pig-Suede Vests

$29