Archives for December 27, 2023

Wondering how to fold a sweater?

Well, the experts at Hallak Cleaners are here to help.  As the temperatures drop, we find ourselves turning to our cozy sweaters more and more. However, the simple act of caring for these pieces is often overlooked.

Our team believes that understanding the nuances of sweater care is paramount to preserving their softness, shape, and lifespan. Let’s unravel the simple steps of proper sweater folding techniques.

Why Fold Your Sweater

At Hallak, we highly recommend folding your sweater instead of hanging it on a hanger. Sweaters are prone to stretching when hung. Hanging also leads to unsightly clothes hanger bumps and misshapen shoulders. So if possible, always store your sweater flat and make ample storage space for your collection.

Folding, on the other hand, allows sweaters to retain their natural form. Over time, gravity can cause sweaters on hangers to lose its shape over time when suspended; this is especially true with your heavier knits.

By neatly folding your sweater and storing it flat, you not only preserve its original fit but also minimize the risk of wrinkles and creases. With cashmere and wool, it is particularly important to properly store them.

What You’ll Need

You don’t have to be a professional organizer to have a beautiful, curated wardrobe.

Before folding, start with the number one thing – clean hands free of any residual dirt or our natural oils. Next, you will need a flat surface – and make sure it’s also a clean surface.

For the best everyday sweater storage, there are a few more items you may wish to consider:

• Acid-free tissue paper. It acts a gentle barrier between folds and prevents creases.
• Breathable garment bags. For extra protection, these garment bags offer an extra level of protection against dust, moths, and other potential outside hazards.

Step-by-step Guide to Sweater Folding

1. Lay your sweater on the flattest surface for folding
2. Smooth out any wrinkles or unwanted creases
3. Fold sweater sleeves inward; they should align with the sides
4. Fold the bottom hem up; this will create a neat rectangle
5. At this step, place acid-free tissue paper between the folds
6. Place your folded sweater in a breathable garment bag

Schedule your pick-up today.

Additional Sweater Folding Method Tips

Keep your favorite sweaters in pristine condition.

Cashmere, wool, and other delicate fabrics demand a more nuanced approach to protect their luxurious texture and appearance. When dealing with these sweaters, opt for a gentler touch and smooth out the fabric rather than pressing hard folds. For chunkier sweaters, choose a looser fold to maintain elasticity. Woven sweaters appreciate a more defined fold for structure.T

o properly store open sweater cardigans and those with zippers, always fold as well. Lay the sweater flat, fold each sleeve inward across the back. Next, fold the sweater in half vertically and again horizontally (if needed). For zippered cardigans, zip them up before folding to maintain shape.

Regardless of the type of sweater, store them in a cool, dry place. As you may already know, excess heat and humidity can lead to mold, mildew, and unwanted odors.

Proper Sweater Care

As a dry cleaner, it is important to stress how important it is to properly care for all garments including your sweaters. When it comes to sweaters,  people tend to wear them repeatedly prior to cleaning. And that’s totally okay!

Here are a few tips you may wish to try:

1. 1. Base Layers: Try a lightweight, breathable base layer. This layer acts as a barrier, absorbing sweat and preventing it from directly reaching your sweater. Depending on your sweater thickness, choose a layer that works best for both warmth and protection. By doing so, you may be able to wear your sweater a few times prior to cleaning.
   2. Read the care label (carefully): Unfortunately, sweaters are a common garment that come in post-home cleaning. While we are able to ‘reverse’ some damage, it is best to follow the care label from the beginning. Why chance damage such as shrinkage, pulls, and other issues?
   3. Regular Maintenance: After every wear, inspect your sweater top-to-bottom. Look for spots and other trouble areas. Don’t allow stains to settle in or pulls to worsen. In addition, brush your sweaters regularly with a soft garment brush; this will remove lint, hair and other surface debris. (Use a sweater shaver sparingly.)

Worn your sweater a few times or found some trouble areas? Schedule your dry cleaning pick-up.

Protect Your Sweater Investment

As you can see, folding your sweater isn’t too tricky. However, it is a step that many of us skip.

We encourage you, like we do our clients, to take those extra few minutes to inspect, fold, and properly store. This will help preserve your sweater’s look and extend its lifetime. You invest in your sweaters so they’re worth investing a little time to properly care for them.

By incorporating these practical steps above into your routine, you not only enhance your wardrobe but also contribute to the sustainability of your favorite garments.

You have to love that! Considering a closet reorganization? You’ll love our everyday and seasonal clothing storage article!

Remember, the fold is indeed mightier than the hanger, and thoughtful care leads to enduring style. If your sweater is ready for cleaning, schedule your pick-up today.

Now  more than ever, it is important to explore the innovations in customer service. It’s a time that customer care is undergoing a profound transformation. And in the world of dry cleaning, we stand at the forefront of innovation, weaving together technology, sustainability, and personalized experiences to redefine the garment care.

Join us on a journey into the heart of the dry cleaning industry, where the traditional meets the avant-garde, as we explore the cutting-edge innovations propelling customer service to new heights. Passionate Hallak customer care is our motto this year – and every year.

Customer Service Trends

1. Seamless Digital Experiences:

As a family-owned and operated couture dry cleaner, we have personally seen the many iterations of  pick-up receipts, invoices, etc. Gone are the days of paper receipts and long waiting lines. Today, our dry cleaning stores embrace digital innovation to offer you seamless experiences. From Hallak’s mobile app for convenience to real-time tracking of cleaning progress, the integration of technology ensures that every touchpoint is as smooth as our freshly pressed linen.

2. Personalized Garment Care:

You don’t get to be one of a select few of dry cleaners to become a certified cleaners without treating each garment on an individual basis. With advancements in fabric analysis technology, other dry cleaners are starting to join in the way we care for fabric care. This means tailoring their cleaning processes to the unique needs of each garment, ensuring not only cleanliness but also the preservation of quality and longevity.

In addition, Hallak offers our clients the ability to update their account with custom preferences.  For example, here are some options customers choose to personalize their accounts with:

-Box shirt laundry

-Fold linens over hanger

-GreenEarth solvent

These types of changes can be made by emailing, calling, or updating your account with the Hallak app.

3. Eco-Friendly Practices:

Sustainability is not just a trend; it’s a responsibility. Innovative dry cleaners are adopting eco-friendly practices, from using environmentally conscious cleaning agents to implementing water-saving technologies. This commitment to sustainability not only aligns with the values of conscious consumers but also contributes to a cleaner and greener planet.

Hallak was the first GreenEarth cleaner in Manhattan. Additionally, we have been recognized with many environmental awards. Along with following the proper rules and regulations, we go above and beyond to ensure safety is always first. We are a part of your community and take that responsibility very greatly.

4. Quality Assurance through Technology:

Innovative dry cleaners leverage technology for more than just convenience; they use it to ensure quality assurance. RFID tags and tracking systems allow customers to monitor the status and location of their garments in real-time. This level of transparency instills confidence and trust, setting a new standard for accountability in the dry cleaning industry.

Hallak was a very early adopter of the Metalprogetti system; this conveyor belt equipment is integrated with our CRM. During the garment itemizing stage, each item is coded with an invoice number that allows items to easily be tracked. Through this coding, we can locate any piece at any stage – cleaning, pressing, packaging, hanging in the NY store, on a truck with a driver, etc.  Our drivers’ phones have a scanner that is used to scan items at the exact time of delivery with additional information provided. For an example, a typical delivery update may show “1:33pm DM”; this states that the garments were delivered at 1:33pm and left with the doorman.

Shirt laundry and other repeat garments are tagged with the smallest RFID tag. This tag contains all the information regarding your clothing including its description, owner, and previous care.

Your Trusted Local Cleaners

For over 58 years, Hallak has been a trusted dry cleaners in the New York Metropolitan area. While it started in Manhattan, a secondary store in Bergen County was build decades ago. This is actually adjacent to our award winning plant. Today, we are happy to also serve North Jersey, Greenwich, and Westchester. (In the summers, we even visit the Hamptons since everyone loves the beach!)

Customer Service Goals

Over the decades, many walk-ins (and pick-ups) end up becoming long-standing customers (and friends). Our customer service team takes our family mentality very strongly.

Fabulous customer experience speaks volumes and we understand that. When a client leaves our store, it is our goal to have them leaving feeling their very best. You should feel confident in knowing your wardrobe is receiving the very finest in fabric care. It is why are always looking for ways to improve customer journeys which results in customer loyalty.

Questions? Concerns? Please feel comfortable enough to ask questions, point out any possible issues, etc. Therefore, allowing Hallak’s team the opportunity to make things right. A customer’s voice should be hard – and we are ready to listen.

Hallak Cleaners’ ‘family’ prides themselves on being team-oriented. Together, it is the team’s responsibility to provide you with the very best in customer service. If you are a current or former customer and have suggestions, please feel free to email info@hallak.com. Here is to a new year together – with you!

Our Hallak customer care team look forward to speaking with you so feel free to call or email us today.