Every once and a while Arrow will assess on our blog, the history of a garment that didn't survive the cleaning process at another cleaner and give an analysis as to what happened. The purpose for this is to help make our customers more aware of the difficulties sometimes encountered in dry cleaning and the importance of choosing a knowledgeable, high quality company.

This garment is a ladies black polyester jacket with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) inner film coating. The care label states: "dry clean only" with no International code symbols.

During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the PVC softening agent dissolved and the coat lost its softness. The jacket now appears stiff, puckered and crinkly.

Who's responsible? The manufacturer is responsible since the coat was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without severe texture change. This jacket should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.

Had Arrow processed this garment we would have anticipated this problem and cleaned the garment using lower power cleaning solutions. This problem and the resultant hassle of returning the garment, may have been avoided. This case history is courtesy of the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute.

The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, which is the drycleaning industry's most influential trade association, published a most interesting article in its December, 2009 magazine. The story relates Arrow's history and success as one of the most respected members of the association and also its recent achievement of earning the Institute's highest level of industry certification. Arrow is one of just a few drycleaners in America to reach this pinnacle of recognition. click here to read

The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), the premier international trade association for garment care professionals since 1907, has awarded Arrow its ultimate accreditation level.
 
With its strict compliance requirements, the Award of Excellence is based on professional principles and practices reviewed and overseen by the 11-member national Clothing Care Council.  Its members represent the Good Housekeeping Institute, well-known apparel manufacturers, the academic sector, and consumer advocates such as national columnist Heloise.
 
Arrow's dry cleaning plant manager, Jim Roddy recently attended a two week “Advanced Dry Cleaning” school at the Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute in Laurel, MD. As a result of that continuing education and all the previously achieved requirements, Arrow Fabricare will be honored as only the third dry cleaning company in the U.S. to achieve the highest level of the Clothing Care Council's Award of Excellence which recognizes the finest dry cleaning establishments in the country.