wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] Thomas C. Davis Jr from Glan Cove, NY June 26, 2009 - 04:58AM

  We "Greensleeves" are a green dry cleaner serving NYC area. We are probably the only one that has stayed true to bweing green while nearly all others have resorted to toxic cleaners. My comment is with so many cleaners trying to capitalize on the green popularity by being "the only CO2 cleaner" or by being "Organic" why aren't there some form of auythority to control these false marketing claims. Being green requires a real commitment from the cleaner. Recently, "The Green Cleaners Council" was established but the listings there are a virtual who's who of influential cleaners that are anything but green. The industry needs a real authority, real guidelines. The public can't tell what dry cleaner is safe for them and what ones aren't.

  WNYC is always welcome to visit our plant and see what a real "green" cleaner is.

  Thank you,

  Thomas Davis

  Greensleeves

  (888) 221-3422

  www.thegreendrycleaner.com

  
  
• [2] Sarah Richards from West Point, NY June 26, 2009 - 05:44AM

  I look forward to hearing this story today. Recently, my husband and I started using a local cleaner that claims to be green and actually has a delivery service, too. But again, it's virtually impossible to know if everything they're doing is up to snuff environmentally. I completely agree with Mr. Davis in that we need some regulations. As a military spouse, I will also say that cleaners located near military installations get very consistent business, so it would behoove the industry to make sure they are practicing "green" cleaning in a true and honest sense. It will also send a signal to the military that this is an important mission they can support.

  
  
• [3] ted from manhattan June 26, 2009 - 08:55AM

  the teaser for the show involved the spilling of red wine on clothes. i learned many years ago that white wine immediately poured on the red wine spot eliminates any red wine traces, even on white clothes. my lesson happened when i spilled a glass of red on a white rug and a guest, a flight attendant, grabbed a bottle of white and a napkin. she poured white on the red spot and spotted with the napkin. spot gone, whew.

  
  
• [4] Carolyn from Manhasset, NY June 26, 2009 - 11:53AM

  I have been using Greensleeves for 2 years now and I have never been happier. The service and the qualtiy are impeccable. Truthfully, I didn't realize what a big difference it would make. You have to try it yourself to see how beautiful and fresh smelling your clothes come back (and they pick up and deliver at no extra charge)!

  
  
• [5] phyllis from nyc June 26, 2009 - 12:06PM

  I have hand-washed many things that the labels say "dry clean only" without any problems. It feels eerily like the clothes industry and the dry-cleaning industry are somehow in cahoots.

  
  
• [6] phyllis from nyc June 26, 2009 - 01:10PM

  People should not throw away the hangers. Use them or return them to the cleaner. They do take those (and always happily), but unfortunately they don't take the plastic covers. There may be some sort of law about this.

  
  
• [7] Elaine Petrowski from Ridgewood, NJ June 26, 2009 - 01:16PM

  I too am most eager to get more detail and to hear what shade of "green" co2 cleaning really is.

  Have I been "taken to the cleaners" on their claims and their prices, at $7.50 for one woman's sweater that I dropped off and will pick up (in my Prius!)

  I hand-knit the light-pink sweater for my daughter. After dragging it all over the metro area for months it needed a cleaning. But I hated the idea of putting it into a chemical bath before I give it to her to wrap herself in.

  thanks for what I expect will be n illuminating discussion.

  Elaine

  
  
• [8] phyllis from nyc June 26, 2009 - 01:28PM

  Elaine, chances are, your lovely sweater doesn't need to be dry-cleaned. I'd gladly wash it for you, for less than $7.50!

  
  
• [9] AFisher from LIC June 26, 2009 - 01:35PM

  Here is a great youtube video shot on ISS of astronaut demonstrating how soap molecules work to remove dirt:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_1RfqMH-KM

  
  
• [10] Tom from UWS June 26, 2009 - 01:36PM

  Be honest now: dry cleaning repeatedly is HELL on clothes!

  Remember to brush and steam in between cleanings if you want your clothes to last.

  BTW - white vinegar works as well as white wine to remove red wine stains, and is a lot cheaper!

  
  
• [11] JP from The Garden State June 26, 2009 - 01:37PM

  Some have claimed a link to cancer with people living next to or near dry leaning facilities. Since my dry cleaned closes are drenched in solvent and dry cleaning has been around for a very long time, how come we haven’t all come down with some type of cancer after being exposed for decades to these solvents? Also how do you process, contain and dispose of your cleaning solvents?

  
  
• [12] daisy from brooklyn June 26, 2009 - 01:39PM

  I wash almost everything in cold water and a mild soap. Including wool sweaters and pants and everything silk and rayon. Nothing ever shrinks.

  COLD water. Not hot. and no dryer.

  If I have a bad stain, I use a solvent. At home.

  Saves a fortune and I don't participate in the toxic waste that dry cleaning produces.

  
  
• [13] Jane June 26, 2009 - 01:54PM

  Can a stain be removed from something that has already been washed and dried?

  
  
• [14] Suki from Williamsburg June 26, 2009 - 01:55PM

  The best marker pen is actually not a pen - it's the little bottle of oxyclean spray. They took a blueberry stain out of a white linen skirt.

  
  
• [15] Keri June 26, 2009 - 01:56PM

  I have a wedding dress with green perm marker maybe dry erase marker. my dry cleaner can't get it out any ideas?

  
  
• [16] Betty Anne from UES June 26, 2009 - 01:56PM

  I would love to know how to get deodorant stains out of t-shirts.

  
  
• [17] RJ from Brooklyn June 26, 2009 - 01:56PM

  I have a badly soiled light-colored suede jacket. Does it make sense to try and dye it? Do dry cleaners do that?

  
  
• [18] Thomas Davis from Glen Cove/Manhattan June 26, 2009 - 01:56PM

  One other comment from Greensleeves: Choose wet cleaning if given the opportunity from your cleaner. It uses water under precise conditions for nearly any garment instead of dry cleaning and is good for the clothes as well as not harmful for the environment. If you can't get your cleaner to wet clean, call us, Greensleeves (888) 221-3422

  Don't settle for whatever they will give you.

  
  
• [19] AFisher from LIC June 26, 2009 - 01:56PM

  Bill Murray asked Martin Scorsese on Letterman, "How do you get red sauce out of a white shirt?" Scorsese didn't know, do your guests?

  
  
• [20] ginny fox from bronx, ny June 26, 2009 - 01:57PM

  I would like to know how much dry cleaning establishments are required to conform to safe environmental standards i.e. ventilation. Who /what agency is monitoring the emissions and toxicity, and is every dry cleaner required to have to conforrm to the same standards with random inspections?

  
  
• [21] lynnef from Princeton, NJ June 26, 2009 - 01:58PM

  I just moved to a new town. I have tried several dry cleaners......what is the best way to choose a dry cleaner?

  
  
• [22] Anne from NYC June 26, 2009 - 01:59PM

  Hand-washing certain items, like silk blouses, has not worked for me because of *shrinkage*. I made two blouses unusable that way because they shrank too much to fit comfortably.

  
  
• [23] lynnef from westbury, NY June 26, 2009 - 01:59PM

  I just got a blouse back from a new cleaner and it had the original stain and a new mark from a ball point pen. I brought it back and they redid it at no charge......it came back perfect.

  What went wrong the first time and right the second time?

  
  
• [24] NW June 26, 2009 - 02:03PM

  Sorry I didn't get to call in.

  What's the deal with phosphates? We use a laundry detergent that's imported from Germany. How bad is this environmentally speaking and if so, is there a good domestic replacement? We have a recent model European front load washing machine (and 2 kids).

  Thank you!

  
  
• [25] isabel Asha penzlien from nyc June 26, 2009 - 02:08PM

  i have heard that the reason most labels on clothes read "dry-clean only" is because the fabric was not washed before the garments was made.

  i carefully hand wash my wool sweaters and other delicate fabrics in cold water.

  it is important not to change the temperature rapidly and not agitate it or else the fabric will shrink.

  
  
• [26] rick snyder from new jersey June 26, 2009 - 02:16PM

  This is why I still keep a button for WNYC on my radio. If only they would stay out of biased political reporting and do more of this I'd actually donate something!

  
  
• [27] Nina June 26, 2009 - 02:49PM

  I would like to know how to handle a situation where the dry cleaner has messed up the fabric on the garment with their dry cleaning process. What are the rights of the customer?

  It would be great to have a follow up on this topic!

  
  
• [28] wayne Edelman from NYC June 26, 2009 - 07:51PM

  Nina

  If the cleaner has damaged the garment in processing they should compensate you for your loss. Depending on how old the garment is it is likely that depreciation will be taken in to consideration is settling the claim. If the cleaner is uncooperative i can assist you in having the garment evaluated by the National Cleaners Association. Feel free to email me wayne.e@garmentcare.com

  
  
• [29] Todd Niemeier from Elgin, IL July 14, 2009 - 03:33PM

  Why do my khakis (100% cotton) have a label that says "Dry cleaning not recommended"?

  Are there fabrics that dry cleaning damages?

  Lately, after a few dry cleanings, I've notice the khakis are staring to loose their shape, becoming baggy.