Name: Cindy Ann Avery
Owner, Cindy Ann Cleaners
How long has the business been here?
Forty-six years at this location.
Can you explain the process of dry cleaning? How dry is it?
It's a solvent that's used that's volatile to greases and oils but is safe for most fabrics. It's the same concept as a washing machine except it doesn't drain. It's a closed loop operation.
What kind of items should people have dry cleaned that they may not know need it?
You can dry clean pretty much anything. And it's not just the dry cleaning you're paying for; it's the finishing and precision we put into each piece. It's a professional finish. You can wash a pair of khakis, but it's not going to look the same as when we wash a pair of khakis.
What are some of the strangest things you've found in the pockets of articles of clothing?
We found a large amount of money in a bathrobe once, and we found a note once that was intended for a wife not to find in a gentleman's pocket, from some other woman. We also found a very valuable trading card in a teenager's pocket that his father didn't know he had.
What is the protocol for items left behind?
We are legally responsible for 30 days, but we keep things for up to two years and make a constant effort to contact the customer.
What is the most common stain you encounter?
Food stains are probably the most common. It can be complex, but it depends on what the stain originates from.
What is the toughest stain to remove from clothing?
Ink. It can spread wildly, and you usually don't know what kind of ink it is, a water-based ink or a dry-based ink.
What is the strangest article of clothing you've ever cleaned?
We cleaned a wedding gown for a princess in the Philippines from a designer we didn't know. We weren't sure what material it was. We had just never seen anything quite like it.
What are some of the most difficult fabrics to deal with?
We have enough experience to know how to deal with most of them. Velvets need precise expertise, and silks can be difficult, too.
Have you ever had to turn a job down because it was too difficult?
Only if things are severely torn or ripped. We've only turned a few things down because there was hardly anything left of it.
Have you ever been tempted to take the clothes out for a night on the town and bring them back?
Never. Absolutely not. No, thank you!
