Warmer weather means shorter skirts, bare legs and tank tops – all of which call for your summer wardrobe to be taken out of winter hibernation! Unfortunately, many methods of packing and storing off-season clothing leave clothes unkempt and wrinkled. According to Jerry Pozniak, owner of Cameo Cleaners in New York City, that scenario can be avoided if the same care is taken when preparing clothes for storage as they get once they are out of storage and on the hangers.

Clothing Preservation 101

• Clean all items thoroughly before packing – if the item is delicate, have it dry cleaned. • Plastic or cardboard storage containers can be used, but both must be clean and dry to discourage bug larvae from taking up residence. On top of that, all containers should be lined with acid-free tissue to prevent fading.

• Mothballs and cedar blocks offer defense against insects, but are never a complete guarantee – choosing a clean, air-tight container will be a better choice to avoid bugs.

• Knitwear or sweaters should be folded to prevent becoming misshapen from long-term hanging. Putting a piece of acid-free tissue inside knitwear will prevent fading and help keep its shape. All knitwear should be dry cleaned before storing to prevent permanent staining.

• To store dresses and shirts on hangers, utilize extra hanging loops to help clothing keep its shape. Don’t store items in plastic bags – they don’t circulate air or let the clothing “breathe”

• Store all items in a cool, clean, dark and dry place. Above all, avoid wetness since it can attract mildew and insects. Spring Clean – How to Make Old New Again If you want to be wowed by your old spring clothes, it’s vital to freshen them up once they’re out of storage. Even if you’ve taken the necessary steps to preserve your clothing during the winter, stains can appear unexpectedly. Jerry explains the different types of stains and how to remove them to make clothing look new again:

• Acid Stains: Acid stains are the result of saliva, sweat, or glue. They might not be visible when clothing is first stored, but can show up months later. o Solution: Avoid using bleach, which can actually darken the color of an acid stain. Instead choose products with hydrogen peroxide.

• Mildew: Water stains on cotton quickly form mildew when mixed with air. o When mildew develops, the only way to eliminate it is with bleach. Try dropping a few drops of very mild bleach in a bucket of water and place the clothing to soak. Gradually increase the strength of the bleach one or two drops at a time and always come back to check the clothing after a few minutes to make sure the color doesn’t fade. Let it sit for up to eight hours depending on the severity of the stain.

• Yellowing: When synthetic materials meet trapped gases, yellowing results. When clothing is in an air-free environment, or one that releases the gases, it is far less likely to discolor.

About Cameo Cleaners Founded in 1956 in the Gramercy Park section of Manhattan, Cameo Cleaners has evolved from a simple neighborhood dry-cleaner to a nationally know destination for fine garment care. Cameo Cleaners specializes in luxury garment cleaning, antique textiles, vintage couture garments, bridal gown restoration & preservation as well as cleaning items other dry-cleaners cannot. Cameo Cleaners is one of the oldest established dry-cleaning firms in New York City and has been owned and operated by only two families in 50 years.

Some of Cameo Cleaners of Gramercy Park clients include, Prada, Burberry, Cerruti, Doyle New York, Sean James, The Parsons Dance Company, Kathryn Dianos and many other celebrities. To read more visit Cameo Cleaners.

About Jerry Pozniak; Jerry Pozniak assumed the directorship of Cameo Cleaners in 1984. Additionally, he took over the position of managing director of the New York operation of Jeeves of Belgravia, London’s Finest Dry Cleaner in 2007.Jerry holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts. While seeing to the day-to-day operations of Cameo Cleaners he also attended the French Culinary Institute, New York School of Dry-Cleaning, and New York University. His varied background has given him tremendous insight to the handling of antique and luxury garments as well as a unique perspective to food stain removal.

Jerry’s clients include; Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Fashion Institute of Technology, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Yohji Yammamato Couture, The Metropolitan Opera and Broadway’s “The Pirate Queen”. Jerry recently established an on-site tailoring department and has traveled distances to ensure that gowns worn by Tilda Swinton, Demi Moore, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Eva Longoria Parker fit perfectly for their walk down the red carpet.