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“HOT OFF THE PRESS” Dry Cleaning News
(248) 543-0340 | www.janetdaviscleaners.com 27607 Woodward Ave., Berkley, MI 48072
JUNE 2025
was painting and redoing the kitchen, which was a little more stressful considering my daughter was about to turn 1, and we were planning a big party at home. My back was against the wall for that one. There are many perks to owning your own home, but for us, it’s the people. We’ve since moved from our first property and love our new neighborhood. A wide range of people and ages reside here, and we have neighbors from all over the world. Our kids get to grow up in a safe space where they’ll experience so many significant firsts. We got to make it just how we want it, with an amazing reverse osmosis water system, wired internet connection throughout the house, and free rein for our giant Bernese Mountain Dog, a pup that might not be allowed in most rentals. One of my biggest takeaways and advice I’d give my children or anyone else is to wait to purchase a home until they are ready because it can be expensive. Find a real estate agent who knows the area and can open your eyes to different neighborhoods. Don’t skip those necessary inspections because those fixes can cost you. More than anything, wait until you have stability in your life; we wouldn’t have been able to make this possible and enjoy it so much without our solid relationship and circumstances. Homeownership has been a really exciting part of our journey together, and our house is more than a roof over our heads — it’s the place our family will see as home for many years to come. –Kyle Matthews 1 (248) 543-0340
Home Is Where the DIY Projects (and the Heart) Are
Lessons From Our First House
Owning a home is amazing. Maybe I’m a bit biased because I’ve been interested in real estate since I was a kid — I even got a little practice at a young age. That little taste of real estate stuck with me over the years. So, when my wife and I were getting married, it felt natural to take the leap and buy our first home right before the wedding. June is National Homeownership Month, and I can’t help but think about how meaningful that decision was. Your home goes much deeper than square footage and decorating; it’s a foundation for building a life together and many memories. When I was in high school, my parents were selling their home and brought me to the table so I could participate in the real estate negotiations. Previously, I worked as a mortgage banker for Quicken Loans (now Rocket Mortgage). With a bit of experience already under my belt, I spent months deep-diving into our finances before we even looked at a house. I knew what we could afford, our price range, and what the
payments should look like. My wife knew the area she wanted to live in, so we began to search for the right home. When we landed our first home, it was right before our wedding. It was the biggest option in our price range, with a huge yard and about a half-acre in size. The old owner had started renovation projects, so it was mostly move-in-ready with a little work left to do. It was priced right and would give us space to customize it and grow. Our interest rate at the time was around 7.25%, and the world wasn’t melting down about high numbers then because they had been there for a while. When it came time for the projects, we went for it. We took down a load-bearing wall to create a larger living room, hiring an engineer to help us do everything to code and to tell us what parts to buy so we could do the actual work ourselves. This was before we had kids, and it was just the right size for a DIY renovation. We didn’t stop there. There
Home is where the heart is, but if you ignore maintenance, it can also be where your wallet suffers. Keeping up with minor repairs and seasonal upkeep can save you big bucks. From fixing a leaky faucet to sealing pesky drafts, essential home maintenance projects like these practically pay for themselves. Home Sweet Well- Maintained Home Maintenance Tasks That Pay for Themselves
After you cut the cake, finish the last dance twirls, and unpack the honeymoon bags, one of the most treasured memories of your wedding can still bring you back to that beautiful day for years to come. Your wedding dress is so much more than a special gown; it symbolizes one of the best days of your life and can tell your love story through its lace and silk. Beyond removing the champagne spills and general wear, preserving your dress can protect it, honor its memory, and maybe even give it a chance to walk the aisle again as a restyled option for a loved one’s big day. At Janet Davis Cleaners, we specialize in cleaning and preserving wedding gowns so you can hold onto that magic moment and pass down a cherished heirloom. Wedding gown preservation is a multistep process that starts with a deep-clean to remove any stains, yellowing, or damage. Once it’s spotless, it needs a special touch — a careful steaming Preserve the Dress That Tells Your Love Story EVERY STITCH HOLDS A MEMORY
CUT TREE BRANCHES. Having trees in your yard heightens curb appeal and provides natural shade. But when limbs are damaged or diseased, a storm could knock them into your roof, windows, or walls, leading to costly repairs. Keeping your trees trimmed and pruned regularly can save thousands of dollars in potential repairs. Hiring a professional could cost up to $2,000, but it beats replacing a roof, which averages about $9,500.
or pressing to eliminate wrinkles and bring it back to its original shape. The delicate fabrics and embellishments require specialized care, attention, and the proper techniques to restore them safely. Standard garment bags just don’t cut it — to keep it bright over the generations, it needs to be placed in a breathable chest with acid-free paper to slow the aging process.
KEEP YOUR GUTTERS CLEAR. Cleaning your gutters is a basic chore that can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. When debris blocks your gutters, water cannot drain off your roof, leading to leaks, water damage, mold, and even foundation problems. You should clean your gutters at least twice a year. TUNE UP YOUR HVAC SYSTEM. The last thing you want to face during a heat wave or chilly winter is for your HVAC system to fail you, and the dollars could stack up if it breaks down. Annual or twice-a-year HVAC tune-ups keep your system running smoothly and reduce your monthly energy bills. Clogged machines cause damage like leaks or ceiling damage and work less effectively, increasing your bills over time. PROTECT YOUR DRIVEWAY. Your driveway takes a daily beating from cars, weather, and time, so protecting the pavement from damage is essential. Applying a coat of sealer every 3–5 years can prevent cracks and pores from forming in the asphalt, which could ultimately lead to potholes. If your blacktop is starting to fade, it’s time to give it a little TLC. A little home maintenance now can prevent future financial headaches. Investing time and effort into these chores will protect your property and keep your dollars where they belong.
At Janet Davis Cleaners, we are proud members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, and many families have turned to us to care for their beloved gowns.
A recent bride, Emma, trusted us to clean and preserve her pure white dress, and couldn’t believe the results.
“You can tell they care about their customers and know how to professionally handle wedding dresses,” she wrote. “I was so impressed with how they got all the stains from my pure white dress! It looks brand-new! Now, I have it nicely preserved, so it will stay beautiful forever.” After the “I do’s,” contact our team to give your gown the expert care it deserves. From delicate cleaning to quality preservation, we’ll ensure your dress is a beautiful reminder of family and love.
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LET FREEDOM SHINE The Story Behind the Stars and Stripes
days, but there is so much more behind its customs than hoisting it into the sky. The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset, unless inclement weather could damage it. Public institutions should fly it daily and on all national holidays. Everyone should face it and place their right hand over their heart whenever it’s raised or lowered in a ceremony or passes by in a parade. It should never touch the ground; if you are displaying it against a wall, window, or vertical surface, the stars should be in the upper left corner. At Janet Davis Cleaners, we’re proud to help you fly those colors with honor! We offer free cleanings of American flags so you can hoist them up with total confidence and respect. Contact us today so your Stars and Stripes can wave brightly this Fourth of July!
The hanger shortage is still an issue, and we will continue collecting your hangers! Instead of sending them to the landfill, let us put them to use. We offer a cardboard hanger recycling tote you can request to fill with the hangers you no longer need. It can also help you organize your closet. Thank you for all your help. THE HANGER SHORTAGE CONTINUES
Few symbols in American history are as powerful or proudly displayed as the American flag. From the battlefields of independence to front porches on the Fourth of July, the Stars and Stripes have flown as a testament to freedom, unity, and resilience. Beyond its iconic colors lies a deeper meaning — red for valor and courage, white for purity and innocence, and blue for justice, vigilance, and perseverance. Keeping these colors clean isn’t just about appearance — it’s about honoring what our nation stands for. HISTORY OF OUR FLAG “Old Glory” has been our national emblem since 1777,
surviving wars and times of peace while capturing the spirit of democracy. Its origin story is one of our greatest pieces of folklore, with many considering Betsy Ross as the first to make it, though it’s still debated exactly where it was born. Before Congress adopted it, the original colonies each had their own flag, and the Stars and Stripes stood for the union of these states, represented in its 13 stripes we still see today. In 1818, Congress changed the original circle of stars, a symbol of equal partnership, adding stars each time a new state entered the union. DISPLAY CUSTOMS Flying the American flag has been a tradition since its earliest
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
SUDOKU
This light, flavorful dish of tender, marinated beef slices can serve as a protein-rich appetizer or a tasty entree for a summer evening. Teriyaki Beef Skewers
INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar • 1 cup soy sauce • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional) • 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 3 large garlic cloves, chopped • 4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices • Bamboo skewers soaked in water
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil, and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig-zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
3 (248) 543-0340
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(248) 543-0340 www.janetdaviscleaners.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
27607 Woodward Ave. Berkley, MI 48072
1 From Newlyweds to Homeowners 2 Small Repairs Lead to Big Savings
Give Your Gown the Care It Deserves
3 Free Flag Cleaning This Fourth of July
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
4 Heat-Powered Precision
HOT AIR, CLEAN HOUSE The Essentials of Steam Cleaning
Whether you want to eliminate ugly stains on your living room carpet or prevent your mattress from contributing to your nighttime sniffles, your local store shelves are packed with endless cleaning products begging for your dollar. For many clean- conscious consumers, bypassing the product maze and going straight to steam cleaning for their home or office makeover has been the safest and most convenient choice. What is steam cleaning? Does it work well in all environments? Is the expense worth it? Before pursuing this increasingly popular cleaning practice, here are a few facts to consider. VOYAGE FOR VAPORS As anyone who’s scrubbed a tub without wearing gloves or done some sprucing up in an unventilated area likely knows, many cleaning supplies contain chemicals that
can harm our skin or lungs. Steam cleaning avoids these health risks by utilizing high- temperature water vapor to loosen and remove stains, grime, dirt, and grease from various surfaces while killing bacteria, mold spores, dust mites, and other common irritants. It can be employed using various tools, including steam mops, heavy-duty commercial equipment, or handheld cleaners. And it’s safer for pets and children than many of today’s potentially hazardous cleaning solutions. SURPRISING SNAGS AND SETBACKS While steam cleaning is an enticing alternative to the traditional mop- and-bucket approach to domestic disinfection, the process does have potential drawbacks. First, steam cleaning equipment requires a much higher investment than most other cleaning
methods. Second, the process requires the user to be around hot steam, which could pose a serious safety risk if mishandled. It may not be ideal for high-traffic office or home carpeting based on convenience alone, as it could take a whole day for the surface to dry fully. Most importantly, steam cleaning could damage painted walls, stone surfaces, and delicate fabrics, limiting its appeal compared to more versatile options on the market. Steam cleaning may be the perfect option for consumers who desire a more environmentally friendly and chemical- free way to achieve tidier spaces despite the cost and the time needed to complete the job.
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