Fabric Cleaning Definitions & Terminolgy

Dry cleaning uses solvent to remove soils and stains from fabric in specially designed machines.

The term "dry cleaning" is misleading: it is called dry cleaning because the solvent contains little or no water and does not penetrate the fibers as water does. Among the advantages of dry cleaning is its ability to dissolve greases and oils in a way that water cannot.

The dry cleaning process begins with the pretreatment of spots and stains using special cleaning agents. The garments are then loaded into a machine resembling an over-sized front-loading washer. It produces similar mechanical action to loosen embedded dirt. Throughout the cleaning process, the solvent is filtered or distilled to ensure its clarity. The garments are dried in the same machine and should have no residual solvent odor after cleaning.

Professional laundering for shirts and other "washable" items is another process your cleaner uses to keep your garments looking their best. Special detergents, additives, and finishes set commercial laundry apart from home laundering. This process enables your cleaner to offer consistent quality shirts at reasonable prices. Collars come cleaner and their professional pressing offers a crisper finish. We do our best to keep you looking your best in Milwaukee and Waukesha Wisconsin.

Martinizing Dry Cleaning is an upscale dry cleaning franchise providing high quality and service at competitive pricing.

In business since 1949, Martinizing Dry Cleaning is one of the oldest and the most recognized brands in the dry cleaning industry. It is the largest dry cleaning franchisor in the United States with locations in 7 other countries and U.S. Territories.

In 1949, Buffalo, New York chemist Henry Martin revolutionized the industry by introducing the concept of on-premise dry cleaning using a newly developed, non-flammable chemical. Previously, it was standard for dry cleaning stores to be used only for pick-up of orders. The actual dry cleaning was done only in industrial areas because of the high flammability of the petroleum solvent used to clean garments.

Martinizing continues to be the leader in the industry by offering consumers a wide variety services in its stores around the world. Some of these services include on-premise shirt laundries, comforter/bedspread and household item cleaning, 24/7 VIP drop-offs, VIP membership discounts, home pick-up and delivery and other services for the discerning consumer.

Currently, over 175 franchisees operate 600 stores in the United States and 7 foreign countries including Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Germany, Japan, Indonesia and U.S. Territories.

Spot cleaning is just that. That means you only address the part of the garment that has a spot on it. Not all garments can be just spot cleaned. The spotting treatment could leave a "ring" that can only be removed by proper cleaning.

Spot cleaning is a specialized form of cleaning usually done by dry cleaners on delicate clothing such as a beaded dress. Since the dress has beading on it it is necessary to be careful that they do not get damaged by 'rubbing' against each other, chemicals can melt them and they can lose the lustre coating so you are left with just little white ordinary/opaque beads. Soap, powder or liquid detergents can also cause uneven discoloration of the fabric, shrinkage, 'water' spotting, and fading.

Wetcleaning is the professional process of removing soils from garments and other textile items through the use of water.

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) definition for Professional Wetcleaning is: A process for cleaning sensitive textiles (e.g., wool, silk, rayon, linen) in water by professionals using special technology, detergents, and additives to minimize the potential for adverse effects. It is followed by appropriate drying and restorative finishing procedures.