The most common question faced by drycleaners when they receive a bedspread or comforter is whether it should be washed or drycleaned. Complaints of color loss or change of finish frequently accompany the cleaning of these items. Color loss usually becomes apparent when the cleaned bedspread no longer matches a coordinating uncleaned accessory, such as a pillow sham or drapery. The difference can range from slight frosting or fading to an overall change or catastrophic change of all colors.

Q: While pressing a dress I noticed staining around the buttons. What caused this?

Q: Over the past year, I have had trouble with zippers that won’t go up. While a few of them are made of metal, most of them are constructed of nylon. I have replaced several zippers but feel there can’t be that many defective zippers. Can you please help me find a solution as I cannot continue to replace these zippers?

A: Most zipper problems can be traced back to solvent charge and crushed slides approximately 95 percent of the time.