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“HOT OFF THE PRESS” Dry Cleaning News
(248) 543-0340 | www.janetdaviscleaners.com 27607Woodward Ave., Berkley, MI 48072
OCTOBER 2021
LEARNING FROM OTHERS Why I’m Grateful to Meet Up With My Mentor Group Again!
(Prospective members can’t join the group if a business in their competing area is already in it.) We freely share ideas, pain points, and weaknesses, seeking advice and guidance from people who understand the unique situation of owning a laundry business, without fear of retaliation or competition. As an entrepreneur, I also feel a kinship with these leaders. I love the work I do every day, and the people we employ and trust to represent Janet Davis Cleaners are wonderful. But it can be lonely up at the top. It’s comforting to share wins and struggles with others who are in a similar position, just hundreds or thousands of miles away. The on-site visits emphasize this. In Appleton, we toured the facility of one of our fellow members, and we saw some great systems and operations in place. We also offered feedback and advice, which I always find to be the most enlightening portion of our trips. Even if we aren’t touring Janet Davis Cleaners, the advice I hear and offer always teaches me something about our practices back at home. When we hosted the group, I was delighted to hear a lot of praise from my peers, but I wanted more. I didn’t just want the compliments — although, that was nice. I wanted to hear how we could improve and what obstacles they saw standing in the way of our success.
This summer, I had the opportunity to do something I hadn’t been able to do since January 2020. I loaded up my vehicle, drove south of Lake Michigan, traveled up into Wisconsin, and met with a small group of dry cleaning owners from across the nation in Appleton. Janet Davis Cleaners has been part of this organization on and off for a number of years, and I have found tremendous value in being part of it. Once each quarter, we visit a fellow member’s shop, learn about their processes, and offer advice, gaining our own ideas for our businesses along the way. But ever since the pandemic began, our entire format had to go virtual, and while it’s been very helpful to hear how other experts in the industry have managed this pandemic, nothing can compare to meeting in person once again. Still, it all felt very strange! I will fully admit to being “that guy” who brought an air filter to his hotel room, and I’m still not sure I remember how to eat in a restaurant. However, despite the uncertainties of traveling during a simmering pandemic, I left Appleton feeling re-energized, excited, and full of ideas. The best part about this group is that it becomes a think tank for our industry, yet we don’t compete against one another.
Luckily, a veteran of this industry gave me what I was looking for and listed areas he thought we could improve. We have implemented those ideas and others I have gleaned from this group over the years. The final product may not be what was initially suggested to us, but we’re still better with each idea this group inspires. After what has been only my second trip since this pandemic began, I loaded up my vehicle again took the northern way home. It’s longer in distance than the southern route, but the rush-hour traffic in Chicago would have made the trip much longer! It was an eight-hour trek both there and back, and I certainly stretched my comfort zone on each leg and while in Appleton. Yet, I’m grateful for this group and the opportunity to gather once again. I can’t wait to see how this most recent trip helps us improve.
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You Can Use WHAT to Tidy Up?!
GET YOUR COATS CLEANED! Before the Cold Weather Really Arrives
4 Deep-Cleaning Hacks to Prep for the Holidays
Prepping for the holidays is exciting and fun, but it requires tons of planning, cooking, decorating, and cleaning. To avoid getting bogged down while preparing for cheerful celebrations with friends and family, try these easy ways to get your house sparkling clean and ready to host. Roll the Ceilings When it comes to ceilings, especially if they are textured, thoroughly cleaning off dust, dander, and cobwebs can be challenging. When you use a broom, chunks typically go flying around and make a larger mess. However, if you whip out a painting roller, dampen it, and roll your ceilings just like you are painting, you are sure to get the job done!
Blustery, chilly weather will be here before we know it, and a Midwesterner’s secret to surviving these harsh, long winter months is a good coat. The perfect coat keeps you warm without making you sweat, is comfortable and breathable, and looks good on you, too!
That’s a coat you don’t want to lose — and one that should be properly cared for.
Socks on Your Hands Have you ever run a finger along a panel of your blinds and it comes up black? Blinds tend to be huge dust collectors. By throwing some socks on your hands, you can get back to clean blinds. All you have to do is find a pair of old socks, “glove
Before you don your best winter accessory, don’t forget to have it properly cleaned! After months in storage — and in many cases, after being improperly stored — your jacket may need a proper cleaning to ensure it's built for the job of keeping you warm. Additionally, if you didn’t wash your jacket before storing it last spring, it could be caked with stains and other gunk that will cause it to deteriorate faster.
up,” and dampen them. From there, if you grip each individual blind panel and slide your hand along the length of it, you will gather tons of nasty dirt and dust onto the sock.
Remember, the basis of any useful piece of clothing is the health of the materials it is made of!
Sadly, a good coat is made of fabrics that are not easily washed. Wool and fur are just a few examples of common jacket materials that don’t last long with traditional washing cycles. These should instead be treated with dry solvents designed to target the dirt and grime without destroying the fabric. Furthermore, many coats are damaged in high temperatures of dryers. If a coat does go in the dryer, you should use the lowest heat setting. This past spring, we encouraged you to welcome the warm weather and put your coats away after a fresh cleaning at Janet Davis Cleaners, but if you didn’t heed our advice — or you know someone who didn’t — we hope you will now! Temperatures will drop below freezing any day now, and you don’t want to be stuck wearing a subpar coat. If you or someone you know needs a proper jacket cleaning to protect their coat and ensure it’s ready for the freezing Michigan winter, please contact Janet Davis Cleaners today. We can help you face the wind chill, snow, freeze, and frost with your best jacket forward.
Cleaning Balls Utilizing tennis balls for your house chores may sound strange. However, when drying a bulky bed comforter in your dryer, adding a few tennis balls will ensure the stuffing does not gather all to one side. The balls help keep everything nice and even. Pillowcases and Fans Your ceiling fans collect all of the nasties — dirt, dust, bugs, and allergens. For an easy way to clean them without spreading all the grime around your home, turn to old pillowcases! Simply slip the pillowcase over each individual fan blade and then wipe. All of the debris will end up in the pillowcase itself. A clean home is the key to happy living and is paramount for hosting over the holidays. With these tricks up your sleeve, you are now a cleaning expert!
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4 STEPS TO A CLEAN GUEST BED Prepare Now for a Busy Holiday Season!
However, before the holidays begin, it’s important to properly disinfect and clean the bed where your guests will sleep. Follow this handy checklist!
Halloween may be the next holiday on the calendar, but Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter celebrations will be here soon. As more families look to gather this year, your home may become host to travelers and guests — but is your guest room really ready? Last month, we explained that the sheets on your bed should be washed at least every week, and blankets and pillows should be washed every three months. But when it comes to your guest bedroom, this equation gets trickier! Wash the sheets, pillowcases, and other light bedding items after every guest who spends the night in your guest bedroom. This will prevent any chance of cross-contamination between your guests and ensure your family and friends leave your home with only memories of their time with you, instead of the flu or a breakout. Blankets and pillows can still be washed on the regular quarterly cycle. Dust mites, pests, and other gross materials can settle into unused bedding, and a regular wash cycle not only protects the integrity of your blankets, sheets, and pillows, but also protects your home and health. (Add sheets and pillowcases to this wash cycle if it’s been at least three months since your last guest.)
Step 1: Strip the mattress of all bedding. Don’t forget to pull out the spare blankets! Step 2: Separate the sheets and pillowcases from comforters, pillows, and blankets. Step 3 : Get it washed! Lighter items can be washed in your home washing machine. However, for a more thorough cleaning, bring comforters, pillows, and blankets to a dry cleaner. These heavier materials require specialty care to protect fabrics and provide a deep cleaning. Step 4: Clean your mattress. Start by vacuuming a bare mattress, and then “rinse” it with spot cleaner or products like Febreze. In just four steps, you can make your guests feel like they’re at home by ensuring your guest bed is clean and sanitized. Contact Janet Davis Cleaners today to learn more about our household product cleaning services or to schedule your pick-up for a bedding wash.
Oktoberfest Soft Pretzels
Inspired by Tasty.co
INGREDIENTS
• 3 tbsp oil, divided • 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups warm water • 1 tbsp salt • 1 tbsp sugar • 1 packet active dry yeast • 4 1/2 cups flour
Help Us Combat the National Hanger Shortage
• 2 eggs, beaten • Coarse salt, for sprinkling
The past year and a half has been anything but normal, and we’re about to dump another strange fact on you: We are in the middle of a national hanger shortage. Because of this shortage, we are having to use whatever hangers we can find for our customers. We would like to thank those who have been understanding with less-than-ideal hangers. (We strive for high- quality hangers!) This is where you can help! Please send your hangers back after we return your items to you. We do re-use hangers when they are returned to us in quality condition — others are recycled — but because of the shortage, our need for hangers of any kind is high. We appreciate receiving any hangers you can return to us and for your continued understanding during this time!
DIRECTIONS
1. In a bowl, combine water, salt, and sugar. Add yeast and let rest for 5 minutes. Add flour and 2 tbsp oil, then mix thoroughly into a dough. 2. Remove the dough from the bowl. Coat bowl with remaining oil, then return the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and set it aside in a warm place for 1 hour. 3. Preheat oven to 450 F. 4. Cut dough into 8 pieces. Roll them into thin ropes, then twist ropes into pretzel shapes. 5. In a large pot, boil water. Add baking soda, then boil each pretzel for 1 minute, flipping halfway through. 6. Transfer pretzels to a baking sheet. Brush them with egg and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10–15 minutes. Enjoy!
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1 Taking Advice From Industry Leaders 2 Deep-Cleaning Hacks for the Holidays Brave the Cold in a Clean Coat 3 Get the Guest Room Ready in 3 Steps Oktoberfest Soft Pretzels 4 3 Haunted Destinations to Visit This October (248) 543-0340 www.janetdaviscleaners.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
27607Woodward Ave. Berkley, MI 48072
GHOSTS ACROSS AMERICA 3 Haunted Spots Every Ghost Believer Will Love
including a little girl who moves toys and sits on the porch. The society leans into the local
who knocks on doors and announces that room service has arrived — only, no one's there.
October is one of the best months for travel in the U.S. With mild temperatures and gorgeous, colorful leaves everywhere, there’s no better time for a cross-country road trip. Add some Halloween flair to your October vacation with these three ghostly attractions. Visit the most haunted town in the U.S. — Waynesville, Ohio. Sure, New Orleans may have a spooky past, but it doesn’t compare to Waynesville. Many residents and visitors think this Ohio town is rife with ghosts. You may hear cries to “hurry up” at The Hammel House Inn, where many tunnels for the underground railroad came through, or you could see the apparition of a businessman from the 1800s who “never checked out.” Other sources report hauntings at the town’s historical society, Museum at the Friends Home,
fascination and hosts regular walking ghost
Is there a monster in Pine Barrens, New Jersey? This one’s for those who love mysterious creatures. Pine Barrens is a mass of forested land that spreads across seven counties in
tours and ghost hunting classes.
Stay a while at Hotel Monte Vista
in Flagstaff, Arizona. Guests at Hotel Monte Vista have often enjoyed long stays at the downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, hotel, but
New Jersey — and its most famous resident isn’t human. The Jersey Devil has a long, storied history and is said to be a combination of many animals: Its body is shaped like a kangaroo with wings. It has the head of a dog but the face of a horse. The creature is believed to have had a sickly start to life in 1735 and has stayed to haunt the forest’s inhabitants and even those who visit the area today.
not everyone leaves. Constructed in 1927, the hotel is host to a number of reported ghosts. The most well-known is an elderly woman who would spend hours rocking in the chair in her room. Today, her chair can be found moving on its own. Another popular visitor is the ghost of a bellboy
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