Who doesn’t love getting flowers and chocolate for Valentine’s Day, or any day for that matter? In addition to putting those flowers in water, make sure you don’t get any of that delicious chocolate on your special clothing and fabrics. Home stain removal can be tricky and its VERY important to check the fabric care label before doing anything. But if you are in a rush, or just had the garment cleaned and looking to remove the stain yourself, here are some helpful tips to consider:

1. Because it’s so important, I’ll say it again: check the fabric care label to make the item is washable and that you won’t do any harm to the garment by cleaning it without the a professional. You might need to bring the garment to Anton’s for a professional cleaning. If the label says it’s a washable fabric, you can move on to tips 2-5.
2. Removing melted chocolate from clothing can be maddening. Allow the chocolate to harden by putting the fabric in the freezer or fridge. Once the chocolate is hard, scrape as much chocolate off the fabric using a butter knife or anything with a hard edge.
3. Now that you’ve got most of the chocolate off the fabric, run some warm water on the back side of the stain to melt the rest of the chocolate and rinse it out of the fabric. Do this until it’s as much removed as possible.
4. For any remaining chocolate, saturate the stain with gentle household dish detergent and let it sit for 10 minutes. (Again, be sure to check the clothing care label to ensure you’re not doing more harm to the fabric.)
5. Lastly, gently blot the fabric with a light cloth (nothing that would further stain the garment) to help lift the soap and chocolate stain from the fabric. Rinse again with warm water and your chocolate stain should be GONE.

An easy way to give yourself an end-of-winter wardrobe lift while cost-effectively building your wardrobe for seasons to come is to take advantage of end-of-winter clearance sales. Here are 5 winter wardrobe staples to look for now:

1. Cashmere Sweaters & Scarves – Called the Cadillac of all wools, cashmere is more expensive than lamb’s wool and merino wool with good reason — it lasts longer when cared for properly, can be worn into spring better than heavier wools and is luxurious to wear because it does not itch the way some other wool fabrics do. A few classic cashmere sweaters and scarves can last a lifetime, especially when you partner with a reputable cleaner like Anton’s to clean and store them for you at the end of the season in a secure and dust-free environment. For more information about Anton’s Closet – Anton’s free clothing storage program – click here.
2. Winter Coats – Merchants are motivated to sell off their coat collections right now to make room for spring collections that are arriving daily. They also don’t want to get stuck storing these bulky items through the summer months. Make their store real estate problem work for you by visiting your coat closet and getting focused on what you’d like to replace or update in your coat collection. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get what you need when you arrive at the store with a fresh focus. Best part — you won’t feel guilty buying the coat that felt like a splurge at the beginning of the season now that it is up to 70% off!
3. A-lined Leather Skirts – When properly coordinated, leather can add a significant amount of style to a wardrobe. While it is tempting to stock up on leather goods that are on sale, we advise people from investing in pieces that might go out of style quickly. The one leather item that we take note of when we see them on sale is A-lined leather skirts. The length — which lands at or just below the knee — sets it apart from shorter and long cuts that go in and out of style more quickly.
4. Bright Colored Leather Gloves – Black and brown gloves tend to sell out quickly and because you wear them the most, it makes sense to buy them when you need them, even if they are full price. Gloves in fun colors like red, fuchsia, turquoise and yellow can add great fun to a wardrobe and become true fashion finds when purchased on sale. When you are buying gloves, particularly late in the season when pickings are slim, err on the side of a bit tight rather than a bit large, as these items always stretch with wear.
5. Simple, Neutral Tops – We tend to stock up on tops for our clients at the beginning of a season in the “in” colors that are being shown that year. They tend to sell out quickly and you want to get the most mileage out of them in their best season. If you can find simple knit tops in basic colors (i.e. black, cream, beige or red) during end-of-winter clearance sales, grab them, especially in lightweight wools and season-less silks. Picking up colors such as lilac, apple green and sky blue this time of year can help you get ready to lighten up all of your dark suits for spring.

Last Word
The items you won’t have much luck finding during clearance sales include winter boots, hats and ski jackets. By mid to late February these pieces are well picked-over so you’re probably better off waiting on these purchases until the following year.

We are happy to announce our 8th annual Belle of the Ball dress collection drive and gala. Since 2005 Anton’s Cleaners has sponsored this special event for high school girls who otherwise would be unable to attend their school’s prom.

From February 1-April 1, Anton’s is accepting gently-worn dresses of all sizes. Click here to learn more about this rewarding event and how you can help.

The 17th annual Coats for Kids drive has come to a close and we’re happy to report that we warmed over 56,000 families’ hearts this winter with generous coats donations from our many loyal Anton’s customers and community partners. We could not make such an impact without your help and we also want to recognize the over 240 schools, 150 companies, 150 community groups, and 85 distribution partners that helped make this all possible. We look forward to providing a final drive wrap up that can be found here in the coming weeks.

Thank you for supporting for the 17th annual Coats for Drive. We’re cleaning and distributing the last of the donations and calculating final totals (including school leaderboard) during the next few weeks. Over 240 schools, 150 companies and 150 community groups organized drives and we couldn’t do this without their support. Thank you again for helping warm the hearts of local families during this holiday season. Stay tuned for drive wrap-up coverage and we look forward to another successful drive starting this October.

Antons’ Cleaners would like to wish you a very safe & happy New Year. Start the new year on the right note by taking the right measures to preserving your garments for years to come. Click here to read Arthur Anton Jr.’s annual clothing care resolutions.

Now that the holidays have come and gone, coat departments, from moderately priced chains like JC Penney and the Gap to high-end stores like Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue, have been transformed into a sea of sale signs.

If you are in need of a winter coat to get you through the rest of the winter months, now is the time to act. Here are five tips to help you navigate winter coat racks this season:

1. Think Fabric – All wool coats are not created equally. Yes, 100% cashmere coats are king, but even a small percentage of cashmere blended with other wools will give a coat more luxury and longevity. Avoid a large percentage of nylon blended with wool. The nylon (a man-made fabric) can start showing through the wool in just a few seasons, making it look worn and old. Nylon in wool also contributes to that annoying “scratchy” and “stiff” feel. No matter what type of wool coats you choose, be sure you always have them professionally cleaned at a reputable drycleaner like Anton’s.
2. Consider Length & Shape – A coat that falls from mid-thigh to the knee tends to be the most versatile length, as it can work over pants, jeans, and skirts. Full length coats that aren’t fitted at the waist can look frumpy, especially on women. Any length coat with a shaped waist will typically flatter both petite and full figures. No matter the length, a trench coat with a zip or button out lining can work in all seasons and climates and might be the only coat you need!
3. Study the Details – While sleeves should cover your wrist bone, they should not wander too far down your hand. In order to be useful, pockets should not be too low or too high. In addition, you don’t want pockets to appear in places that don’t work with your figure. Buttons should be sewn on tightly and extras provided. If you love the way a coat fits but don’t like the buttons, they can be easily replaced. Anton’s is happy to tighten up the buttons on your coats when they come in to be cleaned.
4. Punch It Up – Hats, scarves and gloves give basic outerwear signature style. If your coat closet tends to be full of dark neutral colors, add some brighter coat accessories to beat the cold weather doldrums. Cobalt blue, fuchsia and bright red look especially crisp and fresh in the winter months and can do wonders for your psyche.
5. Take it for a Test Drive – Finally, before purchasing a coat, try it on wearing what you plan to wear under it. You’ll also want to button or zip it up and hug yourself to ensure it fits properly. “Steering wheel” and “jump rope” tests (yes, you act out both movements while in the coat to ensure mobility!) are also good indicators of fit.

1. Follow clothing care instructions and will not remove clothing care labels.
2. Air out my clothes, remove all jewelry or pins, empty pockets and inspect for stains before putting them away.
3. Keep hair spray, perfume and lotions away from coming in contact with my clothes, as they can cause stains.
4. Immediately blot, not rub stains and treat them quickly and properly, so they don’t set permanently.
5. Clean matching sets, such as suits and sweaters, at the same time to maintain color consistency.
6. Repair small problems, such as a loose seam opening, right away.
7. Avoid crowding clothes in my closet, so they do not wrinkle unnecessarily.
8. Use good quality hangers to support my clothes and keep them in shape.
9. Fold knits and place in a drawer or on a shelf.
10. Remove my clothes from the plastic bags from the drycleaner as they can trap moisture and cause damage.
11. Clean my seasonal clothing before storing, so the insects won’t have a feast.
12. Store my seasonal clothes in an area with proper air ventilation, moisture control and light exposure.
13. Recycle wire hangers and plastic bags at Anton’s recycling center.

1. Think About Your Calendar. Before you shop, jot down the activities you’ll be doing during the holidays, including any specific parties you’ll be attending. Getting focused ahead of time about the types of clothes and accessories you will need to build a functional wardrobe to wear from now through New Year’s will keep you on track at the store.
2. Determine Your Retail Sizing. Many people settle for less than a perfect fit. Taking the time to know your correct size is one way to wear all your clothes well. Women – petite, missy, plus or some combination is as relevant when shopping for holiday clothes as your day to day wardrobe. Men – when choosing a jacket, understand which cut is right — regular, long or short. Likewise, be sure to be properly measured before purchasing any new dress shirts. There is never a substitute for a good fit!
3. Pick Your Base Neutrals. Black, gray, navy and olive are good holiday neutrals that mix and match well with a variety of brighter colors and prints. While not the only choice, the easiest shoe color to incorporate this time of year is black. It mixes well with all of these base neutrals, even navy!
4. Bottoms Up. Focus on bottoms first – dress slacks, skirts, cords and jeans if you choose to wear them for more casual holiday gatherings. The darker the rinse, the more dressy the jean. Once you are happy with your pants and skirts, add a minimum of three tops for each for versatility. Extra tip for cords: We highly recommend professionally dry cleaning cords that you want to keep for dress events. When laundered in the washing machine, they lose their shape (and holiday!) appeal.
5. Pick a Signature Color. To further simplify your wardrobe, consider accenting base neutrals with one hue that you love. Stock up on tops, bags, sweaters, ties, shoes and other accessories in the same shade of this color and you will get many looks with fewer pieces than you ever imagined. Red is a logical favorite this time of year as is cobalt blue.
6. Know Your Fabrics. For extra ease and comfort during the holidays, opt for low maintenance fabrics so you can grab, pack and go. For the fancier fabrics we all love to wear during the holidays, consult a reputable drycleaner like Anton’s to help you get years of wear out of these special clothes.
7. Layer Effectively. Tees, camisoles, shirts, sweaters and jackets can be combined in a myriad of ways to give you climate control and a polished appearance. Remember, the office party is not the place to let it all hang out! When in doubt – layer!
8. Connect the Dots. Pay attention to buttons, zippers, stitching and other details on clothes and accessories as you assemble your outfits. Typically, it takes a minimum of three similar metals, colors or other details to pull a look together. Keep this in mind when selecting jewelry too.
9. Tie It All Together With Outerwear. Wraps, vests, parkas and traditional wool and rain & shine coats are a necessity for challenging winter weather. You’ll enjoy all your clothes more when you take the time to think through your outerwear options. Make sure holiday outfits are included in this thought process.
10. Check Out At the Store, Check In With Your Closet. Finally, create a special place in your closet to store all your holiday clothes. Not only will these pieces be out of your way, making day-to-day dressing easier, but they will also be easier to locate and review when an unexpected invitation comes your way!

Keeping your clothes and linens looking their best this holiday season is not an easy task. Every party brings the opportunity for spills and it’s important to take care of the mess before it ruins your best sweater, tie or tablecloth. Here are 5 things you should know to help keep your holidays stain-free:

1. Grease stains (i.e. butter, gravy, salad dressing, etc.) can be set by a hot water wash and drying – Often you can pretreat certain items with grease-fighting detergent, but some items should be professionally treated and cleaned.
2. Red wine stains must be neutralized for complete removal. Follow the fabric care label. In most cases you can blot or flush with water. Chlorine bleach may appear to remove the stain, but could damage the fabric.
3. Coffee with milk and sugar is a combination stain that if left untreated will oxidize and become permanent. Follow the fabric care instructions and don’t neglect these stains.
4. Never delay bringing your holiday table linens to Anton’s for complete stain removal, cleaning and pressing. A professional cleaning will ensure your holiday table settings look great for years to come.
5. And most importantly, if you or your guests drip, dribble, or drop, the best DIY stain treatment is to blot it out, NEVER rub.