How to Wash "Dry Clean" Clothes at Home

In general you can successfully hand wash most dry clean only garments. (See list below for items that should be taken to the professionals)

The success will depend on the type of fabric, how the garment is put together, the dyes used, and the printing process used on the fabric.

Also your hand laundering success is dependent on the amount of dirt and stains on the fabric.

For best results always use cold water and a gentle cleanser. Hand wash by dipping the fabric in and out of the sudsy water. Gently scrub with your finger tips areas of heavy soil like the armpits and the neckline.

* Never use bleaches, regular laundry cleansers, fabric softeners, or rinse additives.

After you have hand washed your dry clean garments, roll them tightly in an absorbent towel. Unroll the towel and move the garment to a dry part of the towel and roll again. Continue until garment no longer feels drippy. It may take 2-5 rollings.

Never wring or twist your dry clean only garment - even when they are in the towel.

If the garment is stretchy like a sweater you will want to re-shape and lay flat to dry. If it is made of silk, wool or other natural animal fibers you should keep it out of direct sun light.

Give your dry clean garments a gentle shake - this separates the front from the back for faster drying time as well as removing any wrinkles caused by the rolling process.

Tops and dresses should be hung. Be sure to straighten the collars into position you want them to dry in.

Clothing items that are NOT safe to hand wash and are best taken to the dry cleaners:
*Acetate fibers
*Rayon (It often shrinks – though it generally only does so once.)
*Garments with a special finish on them
*Leather or Suede.

If the garment is very special to you - and you would be sad if washing by hand changed the garment in anyway, don't chance it!

Machine Gentle Cycle vs. Handwashing & Machine Dry vs. Hang to Dry

Care instructions are helpful tips to keep your clothes looking great as long as possible. Although some modern washing machines have a “hand wash” cycle (similar to a delicate cycle), it does not guarantee the same gentle washing as washing by hand.

Typically, these fabrics easily stretch, snag and lose their shape when machine washed.

Another factor to consider is the type of washing machine you are using. Many top loading machines with the central agitator are too rough for these gentle fabrics and should be avoided. There are some front loading machines that are much gentler on clothing in general and offer a higher level of success.

There is some trial and error in attempting to machine wash “hand wash” items. If the item is valuable or irreplaceable, don’t risk it. If it is a general, everyday item that can be replaced if necessary, then try the steps below to gently wash it in the machine.

Machine Washable Fabrics/Fibers
■Acrylic
■Cotton
■Lycra
■Microfibers
■Nylon
■Polyester
■Polyolefin
■Spandex
■Triacetate (unless it’s pleated)

If Machine Washing “Hand Wash” Items You Will Need:
■Mild laundry detergent
■Mesh lingerie bag(s)

Steps to Machine Wash the Clothing:
1.Smaller loads are best when washing these delicate pieces.
2.Select a cold temperature wash and add the appropriate amount of mild detergent.
3.Place the item in a mesh lingerie bag to help prevent snags and stretching while it is washing.
4.Complete the cycle and promptly remove the clothing.

Machine Drying “Hang to Dry” Items
1.Similar to washing, the appropriate settings are of utmost importance when drying items that are not designed to be placed in the dryer.
2.Most “hang to dry” items are labeled as such because the heat of the dryer will cause the fabric to shrink.
3.If machine drying, use a “no heat” setting.
4.Remove the item from the lingerie bag and place it in the dryer.
5.Stop the drying cycle while the piece is still slightly damp.
6.Remove it and hang it dry until it is completely dry.

Additional Tips and Advice
■If you have any doubts as to how the piece will tolerate the machines, play it safe and hand wash it.
■It may also help to take baby steps to see how the clothing tolerates the cleaning steps. For example, try machine washing the piece and allowing it to air dry. Then, the next time you clean it, try drying it for a short amount of time.
■Good luck! If the clothing comes out well, you’ve found an easy, efficient way to clean them!

John Medeiros, Rhodium, Cubic Zirconium & 14K Gold

John Medeiros uses Rhodium, a derivative of platinum because it has all of the attributes of platinum with the added benefit of being harder, lasting longer, with a whiter tone.

He uses man-made Cubic Zirconium which will not chip, crack, cloud or fade. Cubic Zirconium is virtually indistinguishable to the eye by diamond experts, can scratch glass like natural diamonds, and is tougher than a sapphire.

Rhodium is a chemical element that is a rare, silvery-white derivative of platinum. It is one of the rarest precious metals, and the most costly. It is resistant to tarnish and improves optical impression.

Rhodium IS a precious metal. In fact, it's about ten times costlier than gold, but generally not used to make solid jewelry because it's difficult to work with. It is fabulous as a plating for jewelry because it is glittering, dazzling, white and mirror-like. Rhodium plating makes cubic zirconia look bigger and better because it's so bright that it's hard to see where the stones end and the metal begins. Nothing sets off stones like rhodium plating does.

The hallmark of each piece of John Medeiros is that it is hand-polished and plated in rhodium and 14Kt gold which has a permanent non-tarnish, easy to care for finish.

Come in next week to experience this fabulous line for yourself!

John Medeiros Laurea Collection

The John Medeiros brand is like no other we sell. It places us in a different category in our area! We are able to offer magnificent pieces of jewelry at an amazing value.

This means that many of us can wear jewelry that may have been out of reach or beyond our budget in the past. The great price points allow us to "feel like a million" without spending one.

The John Medeiros jewelry company introduced the bracelet called "Laurea", meaning new beginnings in Italian. The interchangeable cuff bracelet comes in four styles - LIFE, LOVE, LUCK and STRENGTH, with designer ends that can be switched out as you choose.

The new beginnings bracelet by John Medeiros - perfect for Willow Tree's new beginning with them!

Let's Compare, Shall We?

One of these bracelets retails for $2850, the other for about $110. They look and feel the same. Put side by side, it's hard to tell the difference!

You can see that John Medeiros looks as though it costs thousands. It's especially easy to appreciate that fact when you see them side-by-side! I've seen BOTH in person and it's just as hard to tell the difference!

Most pieces in the John Medeiros line are priced between $50 and $150. They're heirloom quality items that you'll want to pass on to future generations!

More details tomorrow!

Let Me Tell You About John Medeiros Jewelry!

Each piece looks like it cost thousands of dollars...and yet they're so affordable!
Each and every piece is designed and crafted with the same meticulous effort as those from other similar looking lines that DO cost thousands. However, with John Medeiros, you are not paying for what you don’t see. The base metal alloy contains less silver. You get the same fabulous look without the worry of cleaning or theft. We LOVE that!

Every John Medeiros piece is copyrighted and individually handcrafted by skilled artisans in Rhode Island....and goes through a meticulous process involving over 20 individual steps. Some "trademarks" you may find are a signature clasp and the John Mederios hidden signature.

John Mederios IS a real guy, too! He's got over 30 years in this industry and personally supervises each piece that is created! He often polishes the pieces by hand himself. His daughter Nina is part of the family business, too! She has been instrumental in choosing the right items for the Willow Tree customer's first experience with John Medeiros Jewelry! They're idependent and family owned, just as we are.

Because each piece carries his good name, Mr. Mederios backs his jewelry with a lifetime guarantee.

Log on tomorrow to learn more!