California has placed a ban on a commonly used dry cleaning chemical PERC that could set a precedent for Austin, Texas and the nation as a whole. PERC, which is used by an estimated 90% of all dry cleaners in the U.S., has been linked to cancer for employees handling the dry cleaning chemical, customers who wear the clothes cleaned in PERC and even people who live next to PERC cleaners (See Video Below). Studies have even linked long-term exposure to PERC with liver problems and even kidney damage.
The ban passed by the Southern California air quality board will require current dry cleaners to completely phase out the solvent by 2020. While we at Austin Cleaners feel this is a good move by California we also know that the move to a more eco-friendly dry cleaning alternative can be costly. However the air-quality board in California has set up a $2 million dollar grant to help dry cleaners make the change to a greener cleaning alternative.
Luckily we came in to the industry when the negative effects of using PERC as a dry cleaning solvent was well documented, that wasn’t always so for cleaners in business for 25-30 yrs. Fortunately even with a nation wide ban on PERC our customers won’t see any price increases because obviously we don’t use the solvent. Kudos to California for taking a step to advance the publics health by saying no to PERC! You Won’t Believe This Story!! (See Video Below)
Green dry cleaning is becoming a growing trend throughout not only Austin but the entire U.S., so says consumer reports. While an estimated 80-85% of dry cleaners are still using PERC, a solvent that the EPA has labeled a public health risk, the trend is defiantly moving toward more eco friendly solvents & green practices and away from PERC. Some of the other initiatives dry cleaners are implementing are in the area of energy conserving equipment and hanger recycling programs. As we have seen with our own hanger recycling program here at Austin Cleaners not only does it make since from an environmental stand point but from a bottom line standpoint as well. Aside from the green benefits that come with these initiatives, customers love the smell of there green dry cleaned clothes versus PERC. PERC has a sweet distinguishable smell that you don’t have with other green dry cleaning methods. While the price to dry cleaners can be significant in switching cleaning methods the benefits far out way any monetary cost.
As we have discovered in our first post on this series, going digital is a great way to go when deciding to have a green wedding and hiring a photographer that uses a digital camera is a very easy step for a number of different reasons. In this post I’ll outline some of the reasons why.
Hire a Digital Photographer
The biggest and most obvious reason for using a digital photographer is because receiving your portraits on a CD is not only much more cost effective than print but it also rids you of the need to have several hundred prints made that you might not ever look at again. While I know some people just like their pictures printed, with access to online data storage websites you can rest assured that your pictures will never be destroyed in a fire or some other way. If, god forbid, something like a fire occurred in your house your pictures will be safe if your computer is destroyed and even with backing them up on another hard drive you still run the risk of loosing those pictures if your hard drive is destroyed. To tie into our earlier post about creating a website to keep everyone informed of your wedding you can easily share your photo’s online with those same friends and family that were following your big day on your website. Not to mention the money you will save by not having to order prints. In addition to the economic benefits of hiring a digital photographer ecologically speaking the reasons against hiring a traditional photographer are just as good. It is common knowledge that the chemicals that are used in the development of pictures are highly toxic. Not only that, but so is the paper that is used to produce printed photos. In addition to both the paper and chemicals being toxic the paper is also not generally biodegradable. Another bad mark against traditional photography is that the chemicals that are used in the process are poured down the drain during photo production and depending on how much chemicals are being used that is a lot of chemicals that end up in our water stream in some form or fashion. Also large amounts of emissions escape in the production of photographic paper in the form of methylene chloride. This stuff is about as non eco-friendly as chemicals come. We are not saying that you should not get ANY prints because obviously you will want to have a few. However you can review any and all pictures before you print them with digital files so that way you can make sure that the only ones you printed are your favorites. Stay tuned for more tips on how to have an eco-friendly wedding!
This post is to highlight an issue that is going on with another cleaners here in town. As many of my customers know we have been trying to get customer reviews on an online review website called yelp.com. While setting up my account I was checking the reviews of other cleaners and came across Washburn Town & Country Cleaners in SoCo. They by far had the most reviews (15) of any other dry cleaner in Austin and not only that but every customer that had reviewed their business gave them the maximum amount of stars possbile. The customer reviews were impeccable and that is why I was sorry to read that they were being forced to move from the SoCo area due to an extreme increase in their rents. You can read the article on the statesman website here. I have never actually been to Washburn’s however something can obviously be said for a cleaners that has been in business for 31 years and has such a loyal following. Washburn’s is currently looking for another spot to relocate to so if you know any good locations out there you can contact Washburn’s at 442-1467 (preferably not close to us..jk).
You can always count on Carey for superior service and exceptional quality customer service. Whether it’s a night out on the town or a corporate event you can be assured that with Carey’s unmatched attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality customer service no other Limo service in Austin will compare. Carey provides convenience & consistency you can count on. Carey goes the extra mile for you (no pun intended).
Clean Air Limo is a limo company after Sir Austin’s own heart. They combine the need for transportation with the need for clean air. Their ENTIRE fleet is made up luxury automobiles that consume sixty percent less fuel than there normal fuel counterparts. Austin’s Clean Air Limo believes that it is their responsibility to improve the air quality in Austin while serving their customers with uncompromising style and class. If you care about the air quality in Austin that choose Austin’s own Clean Air Limo for all you ground transportation needs.
Blue Bonnet Limos have you covered whether you need ground transportation in the Austin or San Antonio areas. They have an extensive fleet that can accommodate parties of all sizes. Their Chauffeurs pride themselves on being courteous and proper in every customer encounter. Blue Bonnet has you covered for all yourbirthday, wedding, or business needs. They can also provide catered services for all your wedding needs. Blue Bonnet invites you to experience the elegance the is truly Texas by choosing a limo company that travels as far as the Blue Bonnets grow! They look forward to serving all your Austin and San Antonio ground transportation needs.
Antique Limousines of Austin is far and away the most unique limousine company in Austin. They provide transportation services that are a blast from the past through there extensive line of Antique Limousines and sedans. Antique Limousines of Austin offers one of a kind chauffeur services that you are sure not to forget. So next time you plan to have a night out on the town go for the old school classics at Antique Limousines of Austin.
For everyone who loves the fresh breezes and luxurious atmosphere of Hawaii you can experience a little piece of Aloha in Austin, and we mean Austin’s Aloha Limousines of course! Austin’s Aloha Limousines is the one stop shop for all your VIP transportation needs. They service all Austin and surrounding areas. Whether you are having a fun night on the town in Austin or corporate event make sure you say Aloha to Austin’s Aloha Limos! Austin’s Aloha Limousines also specializes in tours through the Texas Hill Country Vineyards. So get a taste of Hawaii right here in Austin with Austin Aloha Limousines!
Austin Area Limos has a pursuit of excellence that is unmatched by other Limousine companies in the Austin Area. Not only is there first class fleet a cut above the rest but so is the experience that they offer. Austin Area Limo has an ever growing customer base for one reason: because they produce quality results that you can count on! Austin Area Limos reputation is backed up by countless accolades chronicled in numerous trade magazines and reinforced by their multiple industry awards. They have a commitment to a higher standard of customer service and cars that make Austin Area Limos your best choice for Austin or worldwide ground transportation.
Marriton Global is should definitely be your ground transport company of choice. Their long list of quality automobiles shows their commitment to quality transportation and their extensive customer service trainingof their chauffeurs shows their attention to detail. So whether you are going across town or across the world Marriton Global will be there for you!
The old adage of “the buck stops here” rings loud when your speaking about the owners of A1 owners Tony and Andy Hernandez. It is crucial that in any partnership that you are readily accessible to your clientele and employees. That is why both owners go out of their way to make sure you have the best experience when driving with A1. The name says it all because A1 limos take a back seat to no one!
Sir Austin is proud to announce that in his quest to have every dry cleaning business in America start a coat hanger and plastic recycling program that we have formed a partnership with the city of Austin to promote our cleaners as the premier Austin hanger recycler! Because it is hard for the city of Austin to effectively recycle wire hangers, Sir Austin has struck a deal with the city to place a link on their “how to recycle website” linking through to our Austin Cleaners website for residents who have wire coat hangers that need to be recycled. Sir Austin feels that it is every person’s responsibility to try and leave as little impact as possible on the environment. However he also feels that it is incumbent upon people and businesses that are in a place to recycle and conserve more to do so and so he is proud to be involved in a small step toward making a greener tomorrow!
To see link on cities website click here (under coat hanger recycling)
The easiest way to minimize the footprint you leave on the environment is to shoot for zero impact in everything you do. That is why Sir Austin wants to give you some ideas on how you can have a green wedding day and possibly lessen your impact on the environment in the process. This post starts a new Austin Cleaners series on “Greening up your Wedding”. Sir Austin will be posting tips on how to minimize your impact on the environment by having a green wedding.
1) Create a website to keep everyone in the loop
Through the creation of the Internet opportunities abound when trying to limit the amount of paper you use. Obviously paper comes from trees and so reducing your paper usage in theory will help save trees. That is why creating an online website is a great way to keep all your wedding attendees informed of whats going on with your big day. Some of the logistical things you could do is put everyones email addresses in an easily E-mailable database so you can keep everyone informed of any changes that may be occurring without having to send paper to do it. If you really want to green it up another good thing to do is actually send the invitations by email as well. If you must send paper, sending a double sided post card instead of a multi sheeted envelope is another good idea. Although these are just a few ideas on reducing your paper usage by creating a website there are a lot of other ways you can use your website like letting your friends and family know about the bachelor/ette party and gift registry through the website to name a few. The bottom line is that utilizing a website to keep everyone abreast about the details of your special day is a great step in greening up your wedding day.
Sir Austin realizes that we all get in a time crunch every once in a while and need our clothes faster sometimes more so than others. That is why he is proud to tell you that Austin Cleaners has same day service for those customers that need their clothes in a hurry. Simply bring your clothes by our store on McNeil and 183 (located in Northwest Austin next to the Milwood & Spicewood Springs neighborhoods) (for map Click Here) before 9 AM M-F for same day service. Your clothes will be back that day after 5. Because some customers don’t need same day service it is by request only so make sure you ask Sir Austin for same day and we will do the rest!
This post is a continuation of our series on how to remove some of the toughest stains
Blood
Blood is one of those stains that you definitely want to pre-treat as soon as possible. If let to sit for a long time blood can harden making it a lot harder to lift the stain at a later time. The first thing you want to do is is place some salt in a bowl of cold water along with the garment. Rub the affected area gently with your fingers. Ideally you should see the water turn red from the blood coming off. This also depends on how long the clothing item is left to sit with the blood stain on the garment. However if you have got to the stain quickly the blood should come off in the water and turn it red. Repeat this process a few times changing out the water when it turns really red and if you have gotten to the stain fast enough that should be all you need. After the blood is completely removed than just launder or dry clean the garment as normal. If the stain is already set in then bringing the garment to your dry cleaner is going to be the only other option. Most dry cleaners have special chemicals to get blood out and is a lot easier for them. Stay tuned for more clothing care tips from Sir Austin!
Expect more directories to come from your wedding assistant Sir Austin!
A Perfect Touch Weddings & Events
A Perfect Touch Weddings & Events is one of Austin’s premier event and planning companies. Whether your looking to plan the perfect wedding or maybe an opulent after party you can be sure that A Perfect Touch Weddings & Events has you covered. They will provide you with a level of professionalism and luxury that will be sure to exceed your every expectation.
A Perfect Touch believes that your wedding is something that should be perfect. From the silverware to the band they can take care of every detail from start to finish. Because you are inviting friends and family to be a part of the most important day of your life only choose the best, ‘A Pervect Tough Weddings & Events’. Whether you want a large wedding with all the bells and whistles or maybe a small low key wedding choose A Perfect Touch for the perfect touch.
Bella Occasions wants to congradulate you on your engagement and welcome you to their website. Bella’s can handle every detail of your wedding from start to finish. Whether you need complete planning help, simple consulting or management services Bella’s has got you covered. Bella’s also offeres party planning for corporate events and well as wedding planning.
S & S Wedding Services wants you to know that they will work with you to produce a wedding that is as unique and elegant as you are. They take your ideas and work with you to create the wedding masterpiece that you’ve dreamed of since you were a little girl. Their goal is 100% satisfaction and they stand by every promise they make
First off Magical Marriages would like to congradulate you on your engagement. They are happy to help you plan the biggest day of your life! Their wedding planner will manage every detail of your wedding right down to the invitations. They plan every step of the process to make sure you are stress free on your big day. Magical Marriages wants to make your wedding day just that, Magical!
In Style understands how overwhelming the entire planning of your wedding can be and they want you to know that they are here to help! In Style Weddings & Destination is certified as a professionally trained coordinator and wedding planning specialist. In Style will help you in finding a wedding style that will fit your budget and taste. No wedding is to big or to small! The In Style bride has an elegant taste, exceptional style, and an uncompromising attitude when it comes to making her big day one for the record books! How do you envision the wedding of your dreams? Well whether you know or don’t let In Style cultivate your wedding dreams.
Michelle the owner of Premier Proposals learned from early on the power of proper etiquette. She holds a degree from Texas State and also a masters from UT. Michelle has an extensive background in planning and wants to share her knowledge with you. She has a fabuoulous eye for the most elegant of weddings and does not miss a detail in planning your big day. From napkins to DJ’s Premier Proposals has you covered.
