Yes, We offer same day service for Dry Cleaning, Laundry, Shirts and Household Items. Bring in your items before 10:00AM and we will have them ready for you by 4:00PM. An additional surcharge will apply. Same day service is available Monday thru Friday. No same day service available on Saturdays.
Yes, we offer delivery service to the following communities: Maple Plain, Medina, Independence, Long Lake, Wayzata, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Hopkins, Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Minnetrista, Spring Park, Excelsior, Greenwood, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Chanhassen, Waconia, Maple Grove, Richfield.
Please see our Deliver Page for more details and a map.
Dry cleaning is a method of removing stains and dirt from garments and fabric by using little or no water. Actually, dry cleaning is not "dry" as solvents, or liquids, are used to perform the cleaning, but with little water thus the term "dry".
Dry cleaning machines are similar to washing machines in that a large tumbling basket is used to facilitate the cleaning process. Garments are placed in this basket which is partially filled with solvent and tumbled in a manner in which they drop through the solvent. This agitation and flushing action of the solvent are responsible for the majority of the cleaning.
Certain elements must be present in a dry cleaning system. These include a rotating wash cylinder, a tank for storing solvents for both light and dark colored garments, a pump to circulate the solvent, a dryer, filters, a distillation system to keep the solutions clear, and of course the solvent itself. Other components which may or not be found include vapor absorbers or refrigerated condenser for capturing solvent vapors, moisture injection system, computer or card controllers, and others.
The solvents most widely used are percloroethylene and hydrocarbon. The cleaning solution is comprised of approximately 98% pure solvent, 1% water, and 1% sizings and detergents. If impurities comprise any more than an additional 1% of the cleaning solution, the cleaning quality can be detrimentally affected by odor and dinginess.
Some of the more difficult stains are removed with the use of chemical agents, water, steam, air, and vacuum on what is called a "spotting board". This technique is performed both before and after cleaning and the stains are removed individually.
One of the dry cleaners worst enemies are "invisible stains" like spray from a grapefruit or apple, hair spray or perfume. It is normally these stains that a consumer sees on their freshly cleaned garments and exclaim "That wasn't there when I gave it to you!"
What has happened is that these types of stains are not visible until affected by the heat associated with the drying cycle or pressing. With the application of heat, the sugar of the apple stain carmelized and the oil stains oxidized making them visible.
Dry cleaning in and of itself will not remove these stains and, depending on the material, some can be removed after they show up with the treatment of an expert technician. Some may never be removed.
If you know of any possible invisible stain conditions on a garment, please point them out to the dry cleaner that he may flush them out before the dry cleaning process sets the stain.
Yes. The single most important precaution is to clean all your clothes before you put them away for the season. Even if they don’t appear to be dirty, cleaning your clothes and garments ensures the removal of hidden stains such as perspiration, body oils, beauty products and food spills.
No, the plastic bags are meant for short term use only. Remove all plastic bags from your clothing before storing them for a period of time. By not allowing the fabric to breathe, these bags can trap heat and humidity and contribute to the oxidization of stains and general discoloration of fabrics.
Have your clothes cleaned frequently. This actually prolongs their life… as soil and stains left too long are sometimes impossible to remove and will cause abrasion of the fabric and can wear out the fibers.
Discuss ANY stains with your dry cleaner. Be especially sure to point out light-colored or invisible spills such as from soft drinks or white wine. These stains contain sugar, which can caramelize and turn brown with the heat of drying unless flushed out before dry cleaning.
Bring your garments in for professional care as soon possible after staining occurs.
Avoid letting your garments come in contact with products containing alcohol such as perfumes, hair spray, colognes and lotions. When these products dry they are invisible and will leave spots after being cleaned. Always apply these products before getting dressed and allow them to dry.
Allow deodorants and antiperspirants to dry before dressing.
Protect your clothing from excessive perspiration. The chloride salts in perspiration can seriously weaken delicate fabrics and can also cause dyes to change colors.
Protect your clothing from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or strong artificial light. Bright colors, especially blues and greens tend to oxidize and fade.
Never iron stained or soiled clothing…this only sets the stain.
Do not store your clothing in plastic bags. Fabrics, especially natural ones like cotton and linen need to breathe. Keep the paper shoulder covers on clothing if your are storing them for the season. This will keep dust and damaging light off your garment.
If possible, try to have matching garments cleaned together. This applies to clothing as well as to household items such as bedspreads, pillow shams and draperies.
When shopping for clothing, what’s the first thing you look for in a garment? Perhaps fashion or style – that brand name pair of jeans; usefulness – a pair of slacks that matches three of your shirts; or need – a new business or travel outfit. The next thing you probably look for is the price – is it affordable or not, are you getting quality for your money? Most people stop here when making their clothing purchase – but there’s one other important thing to consider – the care label.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that manufacturers attach a permanent label to garments that provides directions for their care. The Care Label Rule stipulates that the care label:
must be easily found
will not separate from the garment
will remain legible during the garment’s life
must warn against any part of the recommended care method that woulddamage any part of the garment or other garments being cleaned with it
must warn when there is no method for cleaning a garment withoutdamaging it
A garment may be safely cleaned by several methods, but manufacturers are only required to list one method of safe care no matter how many other methods could also be safely used. The manufacturer is also not required to warn against other care procedures that may not be safe.
What this can do is make caring for your clothing seem very confusing. Following are some Care Labels that you might want to be watchful for:
Spot Clean Only - To spot clean a garment, the spotting solution is applied to the soiled area. Normal drycleaning flushes out the spotting solution along with the stain. To ‘spot clean only’ means that the solution cannot be flushed out – and often you are left with a ring around the stain. In addition, ‘spot clean only’ means that odors will never be cleaned out of the garment. Garments with this label are not serviceable and are meant for one time wearing. Unfortunately, this label often appears on more expensive items such as prom dresses and formals. Please be very skeptical when purchasing these garments.
Do Not Dryclean – Often garments with this label contain dyes which are not colorfast in drycleaning solutions. This is normally not a problem unless you get a stain on the garment that will not come out in wetcleaning or washing. If the garment needs to be drycleaned in order to remove a spot, the color might be removed as well. You might also see this care label on a garment with beading, sequins or other trim. Decorations such as these might be dissolved in some drycleaning solutions. However, at the Your Valet locations that use the GreenEarth method of cleaning, beads and sequins clean beautifully and colors stay put!
Do not wash-Dryclean Only – This label, like the above one, will only cause a problem if a certain type of stain gets on the garment. Dryclean only garments such as wool, silks, rayon or angora are susceptible to shrinkage and distortion if washed in water. Wet-side stains such as foods, beverages, perspiration or water may be difficult to remove on these garments.
Dryclean – Exclusive of Trim – Care labels must include all components of the garment, including non-detachable linings, trim and other decorations. Any special considerations for such components should be contained in the instruction as a warning –i.e. “remove trim.” A detachable component, such as a zip-out lining
Should You Remove The Label?
It’s best if you don’t. Removing the label entails some risk as full information or warnings regarding proper care will no longer be available to you or your drycleaner. If the label is scratchy or uncomfortable, try snipping off the corners. If you must remove the care label, keep it handy so you can show it to your cleaner when you bring in the garment.
What If The Label Is Followed And Damage Occurs?
Remember, the care label instructions should apply to the entire garment. If you or your drycleaner followed the care instructions on the label and damage occurred you should return the garment to the store where you purchased it from and explain what happened. If the store will not resolve the problem, ask for the manufacturer’s name and contact them either by mail or via the internet. Often, your drycleaner can assist you with this. It is also important to know that while sometimes damage can occur on the first cleaning, it can also occur on the third, fifth, or tenth. The garment should withstand the cleaning method regardless of its age.
For an extensive explanation on care labels and related topics visit the FTC’s section on “Textile, Wool, Fur and Apparel Matters” at
Your bedroom households serve many functions: bedspreads, comforters and blankets keep you warm in the winter months, duvets, shams and dust ruffles add decoration and handmade or antique quilts have a sentimental feeling. Unfortunately, these bedroom favorites are not covered by the Care Label Rule, and as a result, consumers may find caring for them difficult.
The first step in caring for your households is knowing what to look for when you purchase them:
Read all care instructions prior to purchase. Care instructions may be found on a temporary label, a hang tag, or on the packaging. After purchase, if the labels are on the packaging or are removed because they are scratchy or unsightly, it is best to keep them in your linen closet or laundry area.
If possible, make sure a bedspread has been preshrunk. Shrinkage of two or three percent can easily occur after cleaning if the fabric was not properly stabilized during manufacturing. This may cause the spread to not fit properly or appear much too small.
Make sure down or fiber-filled bedspreads and comforters are well-quilted. A comforter with poor construction and insufficient quilting can cause the down to shift, lose shape, or become matted. Preferably, quilting stitches should run both vertically and horizontally with quilting lines about eight to 10 inches apart. Finally, check the strength of the stitching.
Check the content label to see what type of batting the bedspread uses. Some bedspreads and comforters contain wool batting, which can shrink and distort if machine washed.
The next step in caring for your household is knowing what kinds of problems can occur with cleaning:
Many bedspreads and comforters contain a special glazed finish called chintz to give them a special sheen and luster. Unfortunately, many of these finishes have a limited durability to cleaning procedures. Once removed, the bedspread fabric may take on a dull, chalky appearance and become susceptible to pilling (the formation of small balls on the fabric surface). This is why it’s important to keep and follow the care instructions carefully.
Another problem you may experience is distortion of the filling due to the presence of heat-sensitive fibers. Bedspreads and comforters containing these types of fibers will often show noticeable puckering or shrinkage after acceptable drycleaning, washing or drying procedures.
Comforters and bedspreads may sometimes experience fading during acceptable care procedures. This type of fading occurs when the dyes or pigments applied during manufacturing are not colorfast to drycleaning or washing procedures. Your cleaner may be able to determine whether an item is susceptible to color loss by conducting colorfastness testing.
Comforters and bedspreads may also experience shrinkage after a care process. Shrinkage can result if the item was not preshrunk during manufacturing, or if the item contains wool batting or heat-sensitive fibers.
The last step involves caring for your households properly:
Again, follow the care instructions carefully.
Tailored and quilted bedspreads, as well as comforters that are too large for home machine washing, should be taken to your professional cleaner.
Clean or launder all matching or coordinated items (pillow shams, dust ruffles, curtains) together to ensure that any color loss or sheen loss will be uniform.
Before cleaning, inspect the comforter for cuts, tears, or weak areas. A quilted article becomes quite heavy when immersed in solvent or water and, during cleaning, these small rips, tears, and holes can enlarge.
Clean spots and stains quickly to prevent permanent damage to the textile and color.
Remember that light exposure, atmospheric conditions, and time alone can affect dyes and cleaning performance.
Duvets or zip-on covers can be purchased to help protect down comforters. These covers can easily be removed for regular cleaning and slipped back on.
Blankets should be cleaned before storing away for the spring. Soiled blankets placed in storage attract insects and stains can set and weaken fabrics
If in doubt about cleaning a comforter, check with your professional cleaner. Through adequate testing and expert cleaning procedures, your cleaner can prevent many of the problems mentioned.
Caring for hand-made and antique items:
Handmade quilts need to be treated with great care. If the fabrics were not prewashed before the quilt was made, all colors should be checked for colorfastness. Gently rub a wet cloth over a small area in each section of the quilt. You will see if any of color comes off. Since quilts are made up of many pieces of cloth, it is necessary to test all sections. Some dyes will run in water and mild detergent, while others will run in drycleaning solvents. If you decide washing is safe for all colors and fabrics in the quilt, fill a tub with water and mild detergent. Gently work the detergent and water into the quilt. Drain the water and fill with fresh water rinsing thoroughly until the water is clear.
If there is any question about the condition of the fabric and its ability to be cleaned, don’t take a chance. Hang the quilt out to air dry instead.
Antique quilts should be cleaned by someone experienced in dealing with older textiles. How a quilt will withstand cleaning depends on its construction, fiber content, past treatments, and storage. Some older quilts may contain worn fabrics, making them very fragile. They may also contain a wool filling that will shrink when exposed to heat, strong detergents, and agitation. Some may contain fabrics that have never been cleaned, such as the older chintz applique quilts, in order to maintain their shiny finish and color. In some cases, only light vacuuming can be used to clean them. Consult an expert before doing any type of cleaning.
Proper storage of hand made quilts helps keep them safe for future generations to enjoy. Quilts should be stored in a clean, cool, dark area free of drastic temperature and humidity changes. This rules out the attic or basement. Fold or roll the quilt onto a cardboard cylinder covered with acid free tissue paper. Wrap in acid free tissue or sheets or pillow cases that have been washed many times with no bleach or detergents containing bleach. The quilt should be refolded several times a year to prevent permanent creases and splits in the fabric.
Caring for your pillows:
If your pillows are synthetic filled, you can wash and dry them. The thickness and density of pillows means that you will need extra rinse and dry cycles. If you have natural filled pillows, like down or feathers, they should be sent to the drycleaner where the ticking is removed and the feathers sanitized.
Pillows are best protected from dust and dirt with a pillow protector and pillowcase. When proper care is taken, it is recommend to clean pillows at least once a year. Freshening up your pillows by airing them out on a dry, sunny day is also a good idea.
Have you ever been told that too much cleaning can reduce the life of your clothes? Claims have been made stating that agitation, heat and chemicals can have a negative effect on the life expectancy of clothes. The truth is cleaning can help prolong the life of your clothing.
Here are some facts:
Stains set with age – by cleaning your garments frequently, stains are much more likely to be removed. In addition, ground-in dirt and soil act like abrasives, or sandpaper, on your clothes and will cause rapid wear of fibers.Always clean your clothes before you store them, either by laundering or professionally dry cleaning. Many food and beverage stains as well as body oils left on the garment may oxidize over time and can leave a yellow or brown stain. Once these stains oxidize they are difficult if not impossible to remove. In addition, insects are attracted to these types of stains and can cause fabric damage.
Insects like stains – microscopic insects love to feed on your clothes. They are attracted to unattended stains and can cause damage to fibers. Frequent cleaning keeps clothes fresh and insect free.
We’re nice to your clothes – a person is more likely to wear out a garment with regular wearing before it will wear out from frequent cleaning.
Don’t Press It – some people think that pressing a garment is all that’s needed to make it look wearable again, but if you press an item before it is cleaned it is very likely that stains and other dirt, such as body oils, will be set permanently. A Fabricare article published by the International Fabricare Institute illustrates this point – “Picture a white T-shirt that you’ve worn four days in a row and then take an iron and iron the underarm areas. Is that T-shirt ready to be worn another four days in a row now?"
Proper care and regular cleaning of your clothes really does extend their life and keep you looking your best.
Another concern many customers have when it comes to their clothing is how long will their clothing last. Following are life-expectancy figures for some common garments. These figures are based on normal wear and cleaning. This information is provided by the International Fabricare Institute.
