Argh, maybe time for a new dry cleaner - YouLookFab Forum

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Argh, maybe time for a new dry cleaner

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My Maria Cornejo top is ruined. I took it to the cleaner after a couple of wears, for a little hairspray spot. When I picked it up, somehow they’d gotten some little specks of dark…something on the front of the top, not where the hairspray stain was. They don’t think they did it, but I know for sure that those spots weren’t there when I took it in. They can’t remove the dark spots, and in fact the surface around them now looks discolored from their efforts. So… nice new top, ruined. I’m so bummed.

I’ll be speaking with the owner next time I’m in to see if they can compensate me for at least some of the cost of the top. Maybe I can salvage it by dyeing it burgundy? I dunno. I’m so bummed. I know it’s a leaves on the swimming pool problem, but I am disappointed.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

ANewMindset

Ugh!!! How awful! I don't have any advice to offer but I feel your pain! So sorry this happened!

Joy

Veteran

How awful. I hope you get compensated.

Minaminu

Veteran

how frustrating! If I remember right, this is the second time this year that you have had a mishap with your dry cleaner!

Is bordeaux a colour that you'd wear in the summer ? Would navy work better?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That s so upsetting. Are these the same people who did a terrible alteration a while back? Regardless, this is disappointing.

I'm no magician with the dye but if it is otherwise ruined it seems like it might be worth a try?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good grief. How infuriating. Sorry, Janet

If you're prepared to dye the top - no harm in trying. Will burgundy cover the dark sports, do you think?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the commiseration. It is the same cleaner who messed up the alteration recently, but they did correct the alteration so all is well with that. They’re very nice so I hate to be harsh with them, but still…

Yeah, I may try to salvage with a darker color. I think something deep like burgundy or plum could blend in better — I really don’t need another black top. Navy is a possibility too but I’m more drawn to a redder shade.

So bummed.

Brooklyn

Veteran

What a disappointment.

Dyeing may not cover the marks. If you try it, I’d go very dark eg use lots of eggplant. It’s possible they’ve damaged the fabric too, which might affect dye uptake. In this situation I tend to go for a tie dye. The random pattern hides random marks. But probably not what you want to do.

Could you wear the top back to front?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Brooklyn, I appreciate your knowledge! I don’t really do tie-dye anymore but it’s good to know about the dye issue. The back of the top is pleated and it has a dramatic back detail, so definitely not a candidate for wearing back to front, sadly.

Anonymous

So sorry! This is my fear every time I drop something off at the dry cleaner, or even the tailor. I’m so afraid they won’t find it when I go pick it up, something bad has happened, or an alteration has ruined the item. Hopefully you can work out some type of compensation.

RobinF

Veteran

Oh no, so disappointing! Yes for trying to dye it darker, it can't hurt at this point.

MizBeeWee

Or, instead of dying the shirt, you incorporate the dark spots into some kind of a design on the shirt. Turn it into a work of art. You could paint the shirt. I'm sure you must have plenty of artistic friends who paint if you aren't comfortable doing it.

Anonymous

Taking things to the cleaners is definitely hit or miss :/ Yes to trying to dye or paint it. Maybe more of a marbellized/ice dye instead of traditional tye dye?

JP

Veteran

Oh, so frustrating, Janet, sorry about the top.
If it won't take dye, can you cover the spots with some embellishments, like studs or rhinestone or embroidery (if you are into them), depending on the number of spots and how much or where they are on the top you could do something creative to cover them.
Another option would be to take some of the fabric out from the pleated back (or the length) or a completely different fabric and add a design to the front (maybe the dry cleaner can pay for the alterations at a different cleaners.)

kkards

Veteran

before doing anything, i'd try another dry cleaner 1st.

but i feel your pain. earlier this spring, i bundled all my sweaters up, drove to my dry cleaner, only to find they had closed! i was lost, what to do...i did find someone, and they did a great job, but i did pull out a cardi recently only to discover that half of the buttons are miscolored.

Jonesy

Veteran

That is extremely upsetting and annoying! I would try a second dry cleaners, or try googling it and see if a home remedy might work (if all else fails). I have successfully used vinegar, e.g., on difficult stains on dry-clean only garments.

If tie dye isn't the direction you want to go, maybe some sort of dye job that includes a swirl of colors (or something along those lines) to best "hide" the spots?

Style Fan

Veteran

How upsetting! I hope you can find some resolution to this.
I have heard of this happening, and it scares me. I had a beautiful sweater and expensive cocktail dress ruined in the 80s by the dry cleaners. I rarely take anything to the cleaners now.

Lucy

Last ditch suggestion (that you probably already thought of): are the spots in an area that can be covered by wearing a scarf?

Bijou

Veteran

Definitely time for a new dry cleaner. So sorry to hear that this has happened.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, pure anguish.