If counter staff attend to the following points, this will dramatically reduce the risks when handling delicate, high value and designer label items.
Check the care label and the fibre content label. Inspect the garment, including the pockets, carefully and systematically in the presence of the customer and take a note of their telephone number.
Ask about the nature of any stains and make a note for the cleaner. Bring any damage to the customer’s attention and make a note of it. Measure expensive knitted items.
All garments must, by law, carry a fibre content label. If labels have been cut out the garment may be a “second” bought from a market. A garment without any labels may have been made at home or by a dressmaker and needs careful assessment as it will not have been tested.
Stuck-on effects such as flock prints and glitter designs are always a high risk in cleaning, irrespective of the care label.
Special attention should be paid to unusual garments. Always check silk for abrasion damage. It is very common on textiles made from filament yarns.
If a potential problem is found after the customer has left the shop, contact them before going ahead with cleaning. If in doubt seek advice from the operator/cleaner or refer the customer to the retailer.
