Category: Blog

Introduction: The Overlooked Importance of Drapery Cleaning

If you are searching for professional drapery cleaning in Chicago, look no further, Davis Imperial Cleaners has Chicago locals covered. 

Over time, draperies within your home can collect dust, allergens and pollutants. Some may think that the typical monthly household cleaning will do the trick, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Regular home cleaning just isn’t enough to keep the air you breathe clean. 

Davis Imperial is an expert in home interior cleaning. We can clean any type of window covering as it hangs in your home or your office. A thorough professional cleaning will not only make your items look great, but will also reduce the presence of allergens by removing various pollutants and irritants that become trapped in the fabric.

What’s Lurking in Your Drapes?

You may be wondering what is lurking in and between your drapes. Some of the most common issues can be dust mites, pet dander, smoke, cooking odors and allergens. These issues have a strong impact on the air quality of your home along with your respiratory health. These issues can exist in the background and be hard to notice at times, but it is vital that homeowners are consistently getting their drapes/curtains cleaned thoroughly.

If you notice fading, staining and wear of your drapes, it may be time to take them to get cleaned. 

Why DIY or In-Home Cleaning Isn’t Enough

Cleaning your drapes at home risks shrinkage, dye bleeding, or damage. Vacuuming or steam cleaning at home can present many challenges, and specialty fabrics and linings usually require expert handling.

The Davis Imperial Difference

Utilizing the OnSite cleaning process, we will protect your window coverings from shrinkage while we gently clean decorative embellishments and the most delicate fabrics.

Our On-site in home service includes:

• Draperies
• Cornices
• Valances
• Fabric Shades
• Blackout Linings
• Swags & Jabots
• Roman Shades
• Balloon Shades

We also specialize in the cleaning of Hunter Douglas blinds and fabric shades. Whether its Duettes®, Silhouettes®, or Luminettes®, our team of certified Hunter Douglas technicians will work to restore your blinds’ original luster.

Why Chicago Trusts Davis Imperial

Since 1956, Davis Imperial Cleaners have been trusted by some of Chicago’s finest homes and institutions. Our team of experts are committed to white-glove service and eco-friendly processes. 

Ready to restore the beauty and cleanliness of your draperies?

 Trust the experts at Davis Imperial Cleaners, Chicago’s premier choice for meticulous, fabric-safe drapery care. Whether you’re dealing with delicate silks, custom window treatments, or everyday dust buildup, our team handles every piece with white-glove precision. Schedule your professional drapery cleaning today and let us help you protect your investment, improve your indoor air quality, and elevate your home’s elegance. 

Call 866-740-0059 or email info@davisimperial.com to schedule your appointment today.

Introduction

Graduation season is in full swing as the months of May and June roll around and appearance matters on a day holding so much significance. The look and fit of your cap and gown should feel perfect for the big day. Davis Imperial Cleaners, a trusted professional drycleaning service are experts on cleaning delicate graduation garments. Continue reading to learn more about how to clean your gown and what services Davis Imperial can provide to help your graduate get ready for their big day. 

Why Cleaning Your Cap and Gown Is Important

Most graduates receive their cap and gowns in compact packaging, promoting wrinkles and noticeable fold lines. If you are reusing an old gown, it could be stained from storage and previous wear, which is why it is vital to understand the proper cleaning of graduation garments. After the big day, it is smart to also be aware of how to preserve your gown as a keepsake. 

Can You Clean a Cap and Gown at Home?

Depending on the type of gown you receive from your school or university, gowns can vary from polyester, satin and some even feature velvet trimming. There are high risks to using home irons or washers to clean your gown, as the material of your gown could melt from the iron and become distressed from the washer. Spot-cleaning is okay as long as the gown doesn’t need professional help with removing the stain. It is recommended that gowns be professionally cleaned for both safety and appearance. 

Davis Imperial Cleaners’ Cap and Gown Cleaning Process

• Gentle dry cleaning and stain removal
• Professional pressing/steaming to remove wrinkles
• Safe handling of delicate fabrics and embellishments
• Optional preservation in garment bags or archival boxes

Tips for Preparing Your Gown for Cleaning

When your cap and gown arrive or you obtain it from storage, it is always best to check the gown for any spots, makeup or stains caused by food. Before taking your gown into a professional dry cleaner like Davis Imperial, we recommend all accessories such as cords, tassels and pins be removed from the gown and cap. Ironing your gown at home can cause the fabric to be scorched, instead bring it in early to avoid ruining your regalia before the big day.

Why Choose Davis Imperial Cleaners?

Davis Imperial Cleaners has over 50 years of experience cleaning formalwear and special garments like graduation gowns. Our company prioritizes eco-friendly cleaning methods and offers white-glove service, with a high attention to detail. Davis Imperial Cleaners is Chicago’s trusted dry cleaning service for Chicago families and institutions. 

Plan Ahead for Graduation Day

At Davis Imperial Cleaners, we recommend that customers book cleaning at least 1-2 weeks before graduation to ensure your garments are ready in time. To book with Davis Imperial today visit our contact page!

Introduction

Graduation season is in full swing as the months of May and June roll around and appearance matters on a day holding so much significance. The look and fit of your cap and gown should feel perfect for the big day. Davis Imperial Cleaners, a trusted professional drycleaning service are experts on cleaning delicate graduation garments. Continue reading to learn more about how to clean your gown and what services Davis Imperial can provide to help your graduate get ready for their big day. 

Why Cleaning Your Cap and Gown Is Important

Most graduates receive their cap and gowns in compact packaging, promoting wrinkles and noticeable fold lines. If you are reusing an old gown, it could be stained from storage and previous wear, which is why it is vital to understand the proper cleaning of graduation garments. After the big day, it is smart to also be aware of how to preserve your gown as a keepsake. 

Can You Clean a Cap and Gown at Home?

Depending on the type of gown you receive from your school or university, gowns can vary from polyester, satin and some even feature velvet trimming. There are high risks to using home irons or washers to clean your gown, as the material of your gown could melt from the iron and become distressed from the washer. Spot-cleaning is okay as long as the gown doesn’t need professional help with removing the stain. It is recommended that gowns be professionally cleaned for both safety and appearance. 

Davis Imperial Cleaners’ Cap and Gown Cleaning Process

• Gentle dry cleaning and stain removal
• Professional pressing/steaming to remove wrinkles
• Safe handling of delicate fabrics and embellishments
• Optional preservation in garment bags or archival boxes

Tips for Preparing Your Gown for Cleaning

When your cap and gown arrive or you obtain it from storage, it is always best to check the gown for any spots, makeup or stains caused by food. Before taking your gown into a professional dry cleaner like Davis Imperial, we recommend all accessories such as cords, tassels and pins be removed from the gown and cap. Ironing your gown at home can cause the fabric to be scorched, instead bring it in early to avoid ruining your regalia before the big day.

Why Choose Davis Imperial Cleaners?

Davis Imperial Cleaners has over 50 years of experience cleaning formalwear and special garments like graduation gowns. Our company prioritizes eco-friendly cleaning methods and offers white-glove service, with a high attention to detail. Davis Imperial Cleaners is Chicago’s trusted dry cleaning service for Chicago families and institutions. 

Plan Ahead for Graduation Day

At Davis Imperial Cleaners, we recommend that customers book cleaning at least 1-2 weeks before graduation to ensure your garments are ready in time. To book with Davis Imperial today visit our contact page!

Black tie galas, white tablecloth dinners and late-night cocktail parties all merit bringing out the tried and true high-end suit. Sure to wow, and tailored perfectly to your body, there’s no question you have one in mind. But just like your favorite college t-shirt, or your sneakers that maybe should’ve been tossed a bit sooner, your favorite suit will eventually succumb to the test of time. That is, if you aren’t caring for it properly. 

The care of the suit comes down to two things: how you clean it and how frequently you clean it.

As a certified professional dry cleaner, Davis Imperial Cleaners understands that exceptional garments require exceptional care. Not only do we recognize designer and couture garments, but we also have the fabric care knowledge to protect your investment. Davis Imperial has been a long-standing trusted authority in luxury suit care for residents of Chicago.

So, How Often Should You Dry Clean a Suit?

The general rule is that you should dry clean your suit every 3-6 wears. But this golden number is affected by a few factors that influence the frequency of your cleans. 

Do You Wear This Suit Daily or Just for Special Occasions?

Daily: A daily-wear suite should be washed 3-5 times a week. With consistent usage, your suit may get a bit dirtier between washes, but not washing after every wear ensures that the fibers stay in good condition. The goal is to keep the fabric fresh while avoiding unnecessary chemical exposure that can degrade the fibers over time.

Special Occasions: You only need to dry clean after every 1–2 wears, especially if it was worn for several hours or exposed to food, drinks, or smoke. Generally, special occasions expose the suit to potential staining agents or odors that can damage the suit. 

What is Your Suit Made Of?

Wool:
Wool is breathable and naturally resistant to wrinkles and odor, so you can go up to 5–6 wears between cleanings. Brushing and steaming in between helps extend its life.

Linen:
Linen wrinkles easily and absorbs sweat/oils quickly, so plan to dry clean every 1–2 wears, especially in warm weather. Light colored linen may show stains easily, so take special care to spot and treat stains as they happen.

Delicate blends or structured designer suits:
These often have specialty linings, embellishments, or trims that call for professional inspection after each wear. Even if you don’t clean it every time, bring it in to a professional like Davis Imperial for expert evaluation and spot cleaning.

How and Where are You Wearing Your Suit?

This question can be answered by a bit of common sense. Are you wearing your suit with no undershirt at a lively wedding in the heat of Chicago’s summer? Are you sitting at an air-conditioned desk with minimal activity? Are you enjoying a night out smoking cigars and drinking whisky? Considering what your suit is exposed to throughout the wear can be helpful in determining the dry cleaning frequency needed. 

Pro tip: Over-cleaning can cause fabric fatigue, but waiting too long allows stains and oils to settle permanently

Trust the Experts: Chicago Suit Cleaning Experts

With the basics down, we trust that you will know when to bring it in, and we will handle the rest. Davis Imperial’s dedicated and expert team will handle your suit cleaning to ensure that it is suited for you for years to come. Our careful inspection and care planning exceed the processes of regular dry cleaners in Chicago. Trusting Davis Imperial is investing in the future of your garments. Contact us today for an evaluation. 

 New year, new you! Let’s kick off 2025 right with a whole home reset. After all, dust bunnies are so last year. It’s time to sweep away all the remnants of 2024 and start fresh. This starts with addressing your dusty and dirty pillows, rugs, curtains and linens. Believe it or not, maintaining these home linens can directly affect your health! Dust, dirt, and fumes trapped in the fibers of your home can cause allergies, skin irritation, mold growth, and harbor dangerous contaminants. At Davis Imperial Fine Cleaners, cleaning isn’t just our livelihood; it’s our life. That’s why we pride ourselves on the highest quality cleaning services in Chicago, IL. 

Davis Imperial is your go-to cleaners for home textiles, luxury fabric cleaning and fine textile care. Let’s take a closer look at why it’s time to refresh your home, starting with your textiles. 

Why Refreshing Your Home Textiles Is Essential

Do you ever wonder where that ever persistent thin layer of dust comes from? A large percentage of dust in a home comes directly from fabric fibers shed by your home textiles like carpets, curtains and upholstery. Refreshing your textiles can bring a variety of benefits, including:

Improved Air Quality

About 10% of the population is allergic to dust and 20% is allergic to dust mites. Even with a seemingly clean home, dust can hide in the nooks and crannies and effect your health and the air quality of your home. With the average home collecting around 40 poounds of dust per year, there will definitely be some that goes uncleaned. Bringing your textiles to a professional ensures that they leave dust, allergen and pet dander free so that you can enjoy clean, fresh air.

Prolonging the Life of High-Quality Fabrics

Bringing your high quality fabrics like curtains, shams, and linens to a professional luxury linen care technician can increase the lifespan of your textiles. At Davis Imperial, we protect the fibers, preserve th color and maintain shape and form with gentle but thorough cleaning processes.

When to Refresh Pillows, Rugs, Curtains, and Linens

1. Pillows – Every 3 to 6 months for optimal hygiene
2. Rugs – Twice a year or more, depending on foot traffic
3. Curtains – Annually or bi-annually, especially in high-dust areas
4. Linens – Seasonally or as needed for freshness

Davis Imperial Fine Home Fabric Services

• Pillow Renewal
• On-Site Drapery Cleaning
• Tablecloth and Linen Service

Benefits of Professional Cleaning with Davis Imperial

Trusted by luxury homeowners and interior designers: Davis Imperial has been servicing your Chicago community since 1956. Multiple decades and thousands of happy customers have solidified our status as Chicago’s best dry cleaner. We have been regocnized by many reputable names in the dry cleaning and fashion industry as a trustworthy provider for fine textile cleaning. 

Expertise in handling delicate and heirloom-quality fabrics: Our fabric care technicians are highly trained in handling and cleaning high-quality and heirloom-quality fabric. 

Convenient, reliable service in the Chicago area: With a location and Bryn Mawr and Evanston, we service nearly the entire Chicago area. Our free pickup and delivery services ensure that you don’t even have to leave your house to get fresh, clean laundry!

Book your cleaning with Davis Imperial today and experience a fresh new house for a fresh new year!

Holiday tablecloths and table linens are often cherished heirloom items. Even with a single annual debut, a holiday tablecloth is a statement piece of the table setting. Maintaining the longevity and quality of your table linens ensures that they will wow your guests year after year. While your Christmas linens may be the finest you have, they are unfortunately not immune to the mess of a lively family celebration. Davis Imperial believes that fine linens shouldn’t compromise good holiday fun. Our table linen cleaning services ensure that the red wine spill, gravy stain, and grease spots are all gone by the time we return it to you. 

Post-holiday cleaning is a rite of passage into the new year, and with this comes a refresh of your space. Often, our customers will opt for a full home reset, including bedding refresh, table linen cleaning, pillow cleaning, drapery cleaning, and dry cleaning of winter clothes. With these tasks out of the way, you can go into your new year clean and refreshed. 

Common Holiday Stains and Their Challenges

The holidays are notorious for hosting some of the most famous stain culprits and the presence of these elements and a few too many spiked egg nogs is a recipe for disaster. Your linens bear the brunt of the mess as they are at the front lines of the mess. Some of the most common tablecloth and table linen stains include:

Red Wine Stains

A common misconception is that red wine stains are hard to remove. In reality, even if the stains are ‘se,’ you can bring them to a professional dry cleaner and have a tablecloth returned as good as new.

Grease and Food Stains

Rich and delicious holiday dishes often leave grease and food stains on your tablecloths. These food stains on your tablecloths may seem like a burden after the party is over, but a quick drop-off at a local dry cleaner can have them gone in no time.

Candle Wax Stains

With a candle wax drip, you should wait for it to dry completely before addressing it. Anything done before drying will simply smear the wet wax around to a larger area. Once it is dried, you can gently scrape it off. After this, you should bring your tablecloth to a professional cleaner to treat the deep-set stain. 

Why Professional Cleaning Is Essential for Fine Linens

It’s best not to leave the fate of your most prized tablecloths and table linens to chance. Your linens can face shrinkage, color fading, unraveling and even ruin depending on the fabric and your cleaning regiment. Professional cleaners like Davis Imperial have decades of experience in treating and reviving dirty and worn table linens. Our advanced stain remove and fabric restoration service simply cant be matched by a home spin cycle.

How to Store Your Linens After Cleaning

Even when the holiday season is over and your linens are dry-cleaned, the show’s not over. Proper storage can be the difference between a tablecloth that lasts generations to come and one that eventually becomes an old rag for kitchen table art projects. In order to keep your tablecloth safe and clean, fold your linens and store them in a dark place with low humidity.

Why Choose Davis Imperial for Post-Holiday Table Linen Cleaning?

Davis Imperial Cleaners has been a long-trusted professional cleaner in Chicago. With a Chicago and Evanston location, we serve much of the city, bringing the highest quality luxury dry cleaning and garment repair. Trusting Davis Imperial with your precious linens ensures that these items can be cherished for years to come. For linen laundering and dry cleaning services, contact us at 866-740-0059 or info@davisimperial.com.

The beauty of vintage clothing is the stories held within the threads of your garment. Sourcing and buying quality vintage clothing is not an easy task, and preserving said clothing is even harder. The standards for clothing creation have changed greatly over the years, and while we may have a larger quantity of clothing produced now in the 21st century, this doesn’t mean that the quality of this clothing is better. Vintage clothing is known for being made with a higher standard of quality with more natural and lasting materials. But, as with everything, vintage clothing is not immune to the trials of time. Beautiful vintage laces will crumble if not carefully preserved, even wool suits will unravel and deteriorate if not properly cared for. At Davis Imperial, we pride ourselves on our ability to restore, clean, and preserve even the most delicate of vintage garments. To avoid ruining your heirloom dresses and vintage finds, we recommend taking special precautions to avoid sun damage and dry rot – the two most notorious killers of all things beautiful and vintage.  

Understanding Sun Damage

Sun damage is one of the primary threats to vintage textiles. UV rays form the sun break down the chemical bonds in fibers. Vintage clothes weren’t made with the same petrochemicals today, which makes our garments very difficult to dissolve and break down. This process of sun degradation can cause fading, discoloration, weakening of fibers and texture changes to the garment. 

Preventing Sun Damage in Vintage Clothes

But not all hope is lost. Vintage lovers arent bound to staying in dark rooms away from the light of day. If you have garment pieces you wear rather than use just for show, there are work-arounds. One of these is a UV protection spray made specifically to prevent sun damage to garments. Additionally, if you are displaying your garments in a room that gets natural sunlight, you can use UV filtering curtain or blinds to prevent the amount of UV rays that reach the pieces. 

We also recommend storing your articles in a cool, dark place. For extremely delicate pieces, we recommend wrapping them in acid-free tissue paper to prevent them from exposure to dust and light. 

Understanding Dry Rot

Another notorious silent killer of fine vintage garments is dry rot. Dry rot is a form of decay that is caused by fungi enzyme secretion. Despite the name, dry rot does take a small amount of moisture to trigger the degradation. Over time, the fungi enzymes weaken the fibers of the garment to the point where they eventually disintegrate. 

Preventing Dry Rot in Vintage Clothes

To prevent dry rot in your vintage garments, store your piece in a cool, dry environment with controlled temperature and humidity. Ensure good ventilation in storage areas to prevent trapped moisture. Additionally, avoid storing your clothes in sealed plastic bags. Cotton or linen bags offer both ventilation and protection.

Davis Imperial Vintage Garment Care and Restoration

Davis Imperial Cleaners have decades of experience in the meticulous care of couture and vintage garment care, maintenance and restoration. Don’t let the fate of your beloved garments fall victim to the elements; trust in your local professionals to handle your articles. 

Many overlook drapes when they do their monthly or weekly cleaning. However, drapes and curtains hold a lot of dirt, dust, and pet dander and can even harbor dust mites.  In fact, drapes and curtains are known for catching much of the dust in the room circulated by vents and fans. So, while you may think that your home is clean after dusting, sweeping and vacuuming, the majority of dust and dirt in your home is still living in your curtains. Let’s take a look at the best way to clean your curtains.

Benefits of Curtain and Drapery Cleaning

Cleaning your curtains and drapery may be the last thing on your mind after cleaning your whole home, but the benefits go way beyond cleanliness. Some additional benefits of cleaning your drapery include: 

• Removal of allergies
• Eliminates odors
• Improves air quality
• Enhances longevity of curtains

Steam Cleaning Your Curtains

Steam cleaning is a great way to clean your curtains without using harsh and potentially damaging chemicals. It also releases wrinkles while disinfecting. Test your fabric steamer on an inside portion of the curtain to test for damage. Steam curtains, continuously moving your steamer up and down without making contact with the fabric. The hot steam is able to penetrate the fibers of the curtains to release deep fur, first, dust and dander.

Washing Your Curtains

Before throwing your curtains through a spin cycle, take a look at the care label. The fabric may be too delicate to withstand a washing. However, if they are cotton or nylon, washing is likely the easiest way to clean them. The biggest concern associated with laundering your curtains is the wrinkles that follow. To prevent wrinkling, use cold water and a mild detergent. Afterward, hang dry your curtains.

Dry Cleaning Your Curtains

The best and safest way to clean your curtains is to bring them to professional cleaners. They can use advanced and safe methods to get the deepest clean. Dry cleaning experts know the right methods for each fabric type to ensure the best clean with no damage. Dry cleaning also extends the longevity of your curtains because it best maintains the natural state of the fabric.

Chicago Onsite Drapery & Curtain Cleaning

Davis Imperial Cleaners offer on-site in home drapery and curtain cleaning for those who want to spend the least amount of time and effort dealing with bulky curtains. Davis Imperial is an expert at in-home interior cleaning to leave your home fresh and pollutant-free.

Our On-Site Services

• Draperies
• Cornices
• Valances
• Fabric Shades
• Blackout Linings
• Swags & Jabots
• Roman Shades
• Balloon Shades

Ready for a home refresh? With Davis Imperial’s on-site curtain and drapery cleaning services, you won’t have to lift a finger. Contact us today to schedule your cleaning!