Area rug cleaning tips.

• Vacuum your area rugs just as often as you vacuum your carpet or sweep your hard floors. This eliminates dirt and grime that can ruin the rugs before you’ve even had a chance to really enjoy them. Be careful not to suck up any rug fringe with the vacuum as this could damage the fringe. Also note that some vacuum cleaners will have a rug setting, which basically stops the rollers from spinning and just uses the suction part of the vacuum to remove the dirt.
• Brush out any hair. Whether it’s hair on a bathroom rug or pet hair on the living room area rug it’s possible (and even probable) that the vacuum will miss the hair. Brush in the same direction as the nap.
• Rotate the area rugs a couple of times per year. Traffic and sunlight can add more stress on them which could wear out one side of the rug before the other.
• If you have smaller rugs, take them out back and give them a good shake to remove the dirt and grime.

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Specialty Care

Some area rugs require special care. Following the cleaning instructions on the tag of the rug is always your best option, but if your area rug doesn’t have instructions, you can follow these steps:

• Fur or Sheepskin Area Rugs. Shake talcum powder onto the rug. Let it sit for a few hours. Brush it through the fur or hair and then take it out back and shake it out. If the fur is very long, you may need to repeat the process until you feel it is clean enough.
• Braided Area Rugs. Put a blanket or towels down on concrete or a vinyl floor. Put the rug on top of the blanket. Using a commercial carpet cleaning solution, sponge it onto the rug and rub it in. Rinse the rug with water and place it on dry blankets or towels until it is completely dry.
• Handmade or Antique Area Rugs. Place nylon screen over the rug. Using a vacuum attachment, vacuum over the screen. If you’re at all hesitant about cleaning your rug, talk with an antique dealer or the rug manufacturer (if possible) to get additional tips on how to properly care for your antique rug.

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Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning area rugs at least once a year is a good way to keep them in the best shape possible. When you make a list of things to do for spring cleaning, don’t forget to put the area rugs on the list. To deep clean the area rugs, first look for a care label. If it gives instructions on deep cleaning care, follow those directions. If not, follow these steps:

1. Using a commercial cleaning product, test a small inconspicuous area of the rug to see if it is colorfast.
2. Just like the specialty care for braided rugs, place the rug on a hard surface that can get wet and clean it with the commercial cleaning product, assuming it is safe for the fabric.
3. Rinse the rug with clear water.
4. Let the area rug dry thoroughly.
5. Vacuum the rug.
6. If the label says to get the rug dry cleaned, be sure to go that route so that you will not damage your rug trying to do it yourself.

Benefits of using a professional dry cleaner.

Most of the time when your clothes are dirty, you just throw them in the washer and toss it in the dryer right after. However, in some circumstances the washer and dryer can do your clothes more harm than good – that is why we suggest dry cleaning your clothing items.

Twice a week we will pick up your clothes and bring them to our cleaners for you. But, do you truly know the benefits of professional dry cleaning?

1. If you use a professional dry cleaning service, you will not have to worry about your clothes shrinking or running colors because no water is used.
2. No need to worry about loose buttons, at the dry cleaners they will repair buttons, if needed.
3. Dry cleaners can remove stains from your favorite items, allowing you to extend the wear of your clothing.
4. Saves you time. By dry cleaning your clothes you are able to not worry about folding nor ironing – dry cleaning allows you tackle other items on your to do list.
5. Need something altered? Dry cleaning has you covered. Have you loved a piece of clothing so much but it got too small or too big? At the dry cleaners, we can alter clothing items for you.

Feeling inspired to get your clothes dry cleaned? Let Old Dominion Cleaners service you with free pick up and delivery at your home or office.  Visit us at   olddominioncleaners.com 

8 Reasons to use Old Dominion Cleaners

The benefits of dry cleaning are myriad and encompass many aspects of clothing care. Here are just a few!

Professional Alterations

Old Dominion Cleaners offers the convenience of quick alterations. This service makes all your daily chores easier. Don’t sweat it; just have Old Dominion Cleaners sew it!

Simple Repair

Speaking of simple repair, Old Dominion Cleaners can re-attach a button as quickly as one-two-three. Don’t waste time and risk a possible needle poke trying to do it yourself. This service is free from us to you 90% of the time.

Convenience

Old Dominion Cleaners is especially proud of the convenience of our service. We simply come to your home our office to pick up garments that need attention. This might be the number one reason to take advantage of our services.

Dry Cleaning
Prevent shrinkage and damage to your clothing. Dry cleaning itself is a process that breaks down soil and removes grease. This process keeps your favorite garments looking great and living longer.

Specialists
When you leave your garments with us you can rest easy knowing that our specialists will take great care of your clothing..

As You Like
We perform our cleaning services to your exact specifications. That’s our full service product – preparing your dry cleaned garments exactly to your specifications. Light starch? No starch? Just let us know.

Fabric Expertise

If you’re reading this blog, you no doubt know that there are gaggles of fabrics – from silk to angora, polyester, synthetic blends, it can be a little overwhelming. Our specialists are experts and know ahead of time if a fabric can be negatively affected by a treatment. This will save you time, money and headache.

Neckties
Ties and other accouterments are often made of delicate materials and require special handling. We know and are ready!

This is just a short list of the benefits of our services. 

Visit us today at https://olddominioncleaners.com today to see what we can do for you. 

(c) Can Stock Photo

Interviewing for success.

There’s no end to articles about tips and techniques for interviewing for a new position. It’s all good advice, too. But some of the basics are often overlooked. If you’re a new grad entering the workforce for the first time, looking to make a change or even returning after a bit of a break, it’s good to have the basics down. 

Everyone has heard the adage, “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” While there seems to be a cultural shift towards business casual (sometimes more casual than business), people still are judged by their appearance. 

There are always exceptions to rules, which make them more like guidelines, but in general, these basics will apply. 

Colors: Conservative or Spring Style?

Black is a classic color for business. A simple black outfit is always a good idea. Other professional colors are Taupe and Navy. Adding a splash of color isn’t a bad idea – like a scarf or necktie. 

Accessories:
Accessories are a chance to share your personality while keeping it professional. As with all things fashion, simple is better. Dangly, clinking, sparklies might not be the most appropriate. A watch, however, sends a message of organization and conscientiousness. If your accessories are shabby, you’ll disrupt the message you’re trying to send. 

Shoes for Interviews

Men should keep it simple, but footwear especially is a quality over quantity decision. Women should wear closed-toe shoes. Starting from the ground up, the shoes are literally the foundation of your attire. 

Women’s Fashion

There are a few extra details for women to remember. Don’t wear anything sleeveless to an interview. As well, no bare legs (nylons) and be conservative with the length of a skirt. 

Dress the Season

If you’re interviewing in February in Minnesota or Wisconsin, it’s a safe bet it’s going to be cold out. So extend your interview fashion to layers – sweaters help insulate and can be removed easily enough. Conversely, it does no good to show up for an interview covered in sweat. 

Select Fabrics Carefully

Choosing something that breathes, and doesn’t wrinkle easily is very important. Wool and polyester, thick fabrics and closely woven fabrics wrinkle less.

Image credit: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / AdamGregor7

For answers to frequently asked dry cleaning questions, visit us www.olddominioncleaners.com