Facts, Answers, Questions (FAQs)
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As questions come in we will do our best to post answers to the site.
What is the difference between a drycleaner and a professional suede and leather cleaner?
Drycleaners clean clothing and other household items. Suede and leather cleaners specialize in cleaning suede and leather. While both industries may use similar types of equipment, suede, leather and fur cleaners are highly trained to classify and identify types of leather and fur. They are also trained in how to apply cleaning and refinishing agents to restore suede, leather and fur's appearance. We like to use the example: If you owned a Ferrari and it needed service. Would you take your sports car to Jo's Garage and Tune-ups or to a mechanic who specializes in that car?
Can I have my suede boots cleaned?
Yes you can. Sunshine now offers suede boot cleaning. UGGS are quite popular and Sunshine can clean them for you. We use an exclusive process to clean the boots inside and out. So if you have salt stains or water damage from the snow, we can probaly do something to fix the boots up for you. This is a new process and is an alternative to replacing the boots once they are soiled. Call if you have questions and we would be glad to assist you.
Can you get gum off leather or suede?
Yes we can. Safely removing gum or candy from suede and leather at home can be tricky. Products that remove these types of stains, that you can purchase at the store are not typically designed for suede and leather. In fact, these products can damage the garment. Sunshine can help you with this problem. Normally this will require a full cleaning because the spotting agents used will need to be flushed from the hide. In most cases, results are excellent. The process is similar for removing candle wax too.
Will hairspray get get ink of my leather jacket?
NO! Please don't use hairspray or any hair product to attempt stain removal. This is an "old wives tale". In the 1950's, when hairspray was in a large spray can, you might have been able to get some results. Hairspray nowadays will not remove stains and can potentially ruin your garment. If you have ink on something, our best advice is to have it professionaly removed or call us for advice.
I sat my handbag in a mess, can I have that cleaned?
Yes you can. It is possible to have your handbag or purse cleaned. Cleaning of purses and handbags is a very delicate process due to the construction of some of the bags. Some bags are able to be safely cleaned in our cleaning machines, while others may be hand-cleaned. We also offer custom refinishing of some bags. It is best that we see the bag to give you our evaluation and predicted results.
Do you have advice about managing and building a wardrobe?
Well...As much as we would like to think that we are dressed for success, our family won't be hosting a reality show anytime soon. We can provide you with practical tips about purchasing clothes, maintaining a wabrobe from a cleaning standpoint. However, we don't give fashion advice. Here is a link (link goes to amazon.com) to a great book about clothing care and shopping.
What should I do when leather gets rain or salt from the streets on them?
Promptly remove salt deposits by sponging with clear water, then allow wet or damp leather items to air-dry naturally, away from any heat source. You can then treat most items with a specially formulated leather conditioner to renew flexibility while suede can be brushed with a terry towel to restore its look.
I spilled this on myself, what should I do?
The best general advice that we can give about stains on your garments is to excerise caution. A clean cloth, blotting a stain can go a long way. Proper stain removal is about using resources correctly. Stain sticks and washing machine pre-treatments can work at home, but more is not necessarily better, follow the recommendations from the company. Leaving a stain alone can also help your cleaner. Removing a stain can be simple for a drycleaner, but if you spray and wipe down a stain with several products, you can make it much more difficult, if not impossible. Give us a call, we would be happy to help. Also using water on natural fibers (silks, wools, etc.) can set stains or distort the fabric, so please use caution.
Follow up, we had a call recently about a red wine stain on a white pair of wool pants. The employee of the cafe, who spilled the red wine, attempted to remove the red wine with a white wine. This will never work. Please don't try this to remove wine stains with wine. The wine is for drinking not stain removal.
Can suede and leather garments be repaired?
Yes they can. Suede and leather garments tend to be more expensive then typical wardrobe items and luckily they can be repaired. Tears, seams, zippers, and snaps can all be mended or replaced. Suede, leather and fur repair are not routine, and it is important to find a repair person who is familiar with these types of fabrics. A stitch hole in suede and leather is permanent and will always be on the skin. So our tailors and seamstresses are specialist, trained to mend and alter suede, leather and fur. We can patch, stretch and replace panels of hides or shorten sleeves, just to name a few. Repairs are often difficult to describe and we encourage phone calls to the production facility to ask questions about repairs and pricing.
Does leather lose its shape?
If not cared for properly, the skins in your garment can stretch or sag. Leather jackets and shirts should be hung on wide or padded hangers to best maintain their shape. Shoe and boot trees keep footwear looking good and handbags will look better longer when stuffed with white tissue paper.
Where can I find a good explanation of leather and suede?
We found a good explanation at Wikipedia. Click here.
How should I store my leathers?
A dark closet that is neither too dry nor too humid is an ideal storage place. When putting garments away for the season, always place them in breathable covers, never plastic, which can dry out the leather.
What kinds of products can be used to keep my leather looking great?
Be sure to choose products meant for your item. Carefully read and follow the instructions for best results. Never use household products, waxes, silicone, or any other preparations that impair the leather's ability to breathe.
My leather coat became wrinkled during travel. Can it be fixed?
It can. Most wrinkles will hang out on their own, although it is perfectly safe to iron leather by carefully following these instructions. Simply set iron on its rayon setting, use heavy brown wrapping paper as a pressing cloth on the right side of the item and iron. Covering one section at a time while always keeping the iron moving, wrinkles should come right out. Also wearing the garment will help the skin relax. Our natural body heat and oils are good for the suede and leather.
Are there any common things that can damage leather?
Perfumes, hair spray and your natural body oils are a few things that, over time, can discolor or damage leather. You should avoid spraying perfumes or hair spray while wearing your garment, a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar.
The hem of my favorite leather skirt has come loose. Can I fix it myself?
You can. Small areas can be fixed with a tiny amount of rubber cement. For bigger jobs, consult your local leather care professional.
I had my leather jacket professionally cleaned and the color changed. Is this normal?
As a matter of fact it is. Leather is a natural product and you can never determine exactly how it will react to the cleaning process. A recommended leather cleaner will clean the garment and then restore the essential oils that were lost during the procedure. Since the cleaner can never exactly match the method that was originally used when your garment was created, the result will sometimes be a slight change in color or texture. For this reason it is important to clean matching garments at the same time.
Can you recommend someone near me?
Sunshine can help you with your garment questions and concerns. We can recommend cleaners near you. Give us a call. 1-800-232-0792.
Would you like more information? Please visit our association's website.
