It’s time to clean out those closets again and donate those dresses for a good cause! If you have a neglected prom dress, bridesmaid gown, or other formal attire hiding in the back of your closet, just drop them off at your nearest Max I. Walker location. We’ll clean, press and prepare your gorgeous gowns to find new homes at the 2nd Annual Ultra Chic Prom Boutique. Just as last year, the event is being run, in part, by a committee of area high school students who have chosen to donate all proceeds to a local charity of their choice.

Our first boutique was a stunning success – we sold every last one of our 332 donated dresses, raising more than $2,000 for the Lydia House. This year we’re aiming even higher…our goal for dresses donated and sold in 2009 is 500 dresses! For every dress you drop off, you’ll be entered to win a $500 Getaway.

Click here for further information, photos from 2008 and contest rules.

FREE Minor Alterations from Max

Max I. Walker offers FREE minor alterations for your clothes. Just point out the areas that need help when you drop off your garments. It’s that simple. We work hard every day so that your clothes always look their best—and you do, too. That includes taking care of even the smallest of details, like loose buttons. If you treat your clothes with a little care, they’ll look a lot nicer a lot longer.

Missing or Faded Care Labels?

Sometimes care labels are missing, damaged or faded, making them hard to read. If you have questions about how to care for a garment, bring it in and ask one of our experts. We can help you decide the best way to care for your favorite clothes.

Donate Your Extras

Remember, if you haven’t worn a garment in the last year, it’s probably time to get rid of it. Take your old and gently worn clothes to your nearest thrift store or charity. That way, someone else can appreciate them, and you can appreciate the additional closet space.

Bring Summer Stuff to Max

If you’d rather have experts treat your favorite summer clothes, bring them to Max I. Walker. Our professionals are trained to keep your laundry and dry cleaning looking its best. Just remember to bring in all pieces of a matching outfit at the same time…because in spite of the care label and testing, the color of some garments may exhibit challenges when cleaning.

Thanks so much for such great customer service!”
– Laura from Omaha

Once again, thank you and God Bless.”

We’re looking for competitive, customer-oriented, sales-driven WINNERS to help us continue our growth in business-to-business services. Responsibilities include seeking out and closing new Uniform Rental business and becoming part of a successful, family-owned company. A salary, commission, mileage and benefits package is included. Please apply online or send your resume to: Sales Manager, Walker Uniform Rental, 724 N. 16th Street, Omaha, NE 68102. No phone calls, please.

Click here to apply online

Spring has sprung. The smells of newly cut grass and blooming flowers are in the air. So naturally, our thoughts turn to…shopping. Revitalizing a summer wardrobe is part of our spring tradition. But before you drop a bundle on new clothes, keep in mind some sensible tips that could keep you from throwing your money away on items that may only last a year.

Think Practical

Shopping for clothes is a lot like buying a new car. It’s easy to lose perspective and be swayed by good looks or a good price, without stopping to think about practicality. Ideally, you should look for most of the following characteristics in your new clothes:

• Durability. The old adage is often true: you get what you pay for. If an article of clothing is very inexpensive, it’s likely to be made of inferior materials or construction. If you want clothes that will last, look for dependable brand names. However, be on the lookout for licensed clothing which bears a fashion designer’s label but is assembled inexpensively…and priced that way.
• Functionality. Clothes should be good for a variety of occasions. For a man, a nice short-sleeved shirt can often be worn by itself, or under a blazer or sport coat. It can even be cleaned and pressed and worn for dressier summer events. That makes good sense if you are trying to get the most from every article of clothing. For a woman, it’s hard to beat a good, white shirt which can be worn with jeans, shorts or a skirt.
• Comfort. Trust us, in the hottest days of summer you’ll want to feel cool, not just look good. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your wardrobe. Choose light fabrics like linen that are comfortable and attractive and you can’t go wrong.
• Utility. Sure that bright, oversized Hawaiian shirt with pictures of a toucan riding a surfboard is adorable, but can you wear it to the office? To mow the yard? To the three weddings you have to attend in the next three months? If not, than is it really worth the $60 to have it hang in your closet?

Remember a few other tips to get the most from your new purchases:

• Keep them clean. Don’t let clothes harbor summer grime. Sweat and other stains are harder to remove the longer they set, especially on many light-colored summer fabrics.
• Clean them right. Follow care instructions and if there’s a doubt, don’t risk it. Ask the experts at Max I. Walker.
• Be careful cleaning them at home. Some clothes (like many of today’s linens) say you can wash them at home, but to keep the fabric from being stressed and ruining the shape or sizing of a garment, you may be better off sending them to your cleaner or launderer.

With a little forethought, your new summer clothes can revitalize your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

You drop your ink pen on your pants. Or, you find gum in your child’s pocket…AFTER it’s washed. When a clothing emergency strikes, try these remedies immediately. Then, take your garment to the professionals at Max I. Walker.

It’s always important to treat stains and spills as soon as possible. If left to set, they can weaken fibers and become very difficult to remove. Remember to test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area before using any kind of stain removal product, and if blotting a stain, use a clean, white towel.

Get the Gum Out

Chewing gum can be removed from many garments just by dry cleaning. Gum is soluble in dry cleaning solvent and little or no pretreatment is required. Also, chewing gum can usually be removed by blotting the stain with an ice cube. This hardens the gum so it’s stiff and brittle and can be removed. Pulling the gum off may cause some of the surface fibers to pull or snag, but if you’re careful, it’s usually not enough to notice.

How Hairspray Helps

Hairspray has been known to remove ballpoint ink. However, this can lead to other problems. That’s because hairspray contains alcohol and oils, including lanolin and resins. The alcohol can cause color damage—especially on silk—and the oils may lead to other stains. To be on the safe side, let Max I. Walker get the ink out for you.

Cleaning Up Crayon Stains

Crayon stains appear as built-up shiny, stiff stains. They are usually caused by drying clothes in a dryer, not just by washing them. The heat from drying melts the crayon material and makes stains. Sometimes such stains can be removed by dry cleaning the item.

Getting Rid of Deodorant and Antiperspirant Residue

If your clothes are exposed to deodorant and antiperspirants for an extensive period, permanent damage may occur. The most frequent damage is from the overuse of these products or infrequent cleanings. Always wash your clothing as soon as possible and always in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric. If you aren’t sure how to deal with a stain, bring the item into the experts at Max I. Walker.

It’s easy to forget about cleaning your bedding on a routine basis. But, regular cleaning can, in fact, help keep your bedding items brighter and more vivid. That’s why fall is the perfect time to tackle such a project. With help from the experts at Max I. Walker, you’ll have a bedroom full of bedding that will look great for years to come.

The Basics

A cleaning plan, along with a little elbow grease, will help prolong the beauty of your bedding items—from your pillow shams and dust ruffle to curtains and comforters. Just follow these basic tips:

• Strip bed linens and dust ruffles. Then, as the experts at Max I. Walker always recommend, read and follow the manufacturers’ cleaning directions.
• Wash or dry clean your curtains. Dust quickly builds up in fabric, and while it can be practically impossible to see, it can cause damage.
• Repair any small tear immediately—before it becomes a larger one.
• Remove dust regularly by vacuuming or brushing.
• If an item becomes stained, have it cleaned immediately before it can set and do more damage. The multiple thickness of most bedspreads and comforters can make stain removal difficult, so be sure to consult with the friendly professionals at Max I. Walker.
• Don’t store household textiles that are not clean and stain free.
• Vacuum your mattress and box spring. Flip and rotate the mattress before putting on new sheets. This will prevent dips from forming on the mattress and keep it firmer longer.

Why Bedspreads and Comforters are Special

There are many reasons why it’s best to bring your bedspreads and comforters to the experts at Max I. Walker. For example:

• Most are too large for residential size washers and dryers. By washing oversized items, you run the risk of damaging your machine along with your bedding.
• Many fabrics require dry cleaning. Pay special attention to the clothing care label. Most bedding will have a label attached or you might find it on the bag the item came in.
• Those items that are tailored and quilted should be dry cleaned or professionally laundered to help keep their shape and stay smooth.
• Max I. Walker also recommends dry cleaning or laundering all matching or coordinating items at the same time and by the same process. This way, any color changes, however minimal, will be uniform.

The holidays often mean the gift of a new sweater or two, and with clearance sales, some extra pieces for your wardrobe. To keep your new clothes looking new and fitting right, treat them with care. Follow these simple steps to help prevent shrinkage and keep your new clothes looking great.

Delicate Items Like to Be Dry Cleaned

First, always read the garment’s washing tag. If fine items such as silk or rayon suggest you “dry clean only,” then you’re safest doing so. One option to regular dry cleaning is to hand wash the item with an appropriate gentle cleanser. However, dry cleaning your item guarantees a nicer finish with less wear and tear.

Wash Before Wearing

It’s a good idea to wash or professionally dry clean your new clothes before wearing them. Sizing, a chemical, is added to clothing to make it hang better in the stores. Some people are mildly allergic to sizing, so to avoid discomfort, always wash a gift before wearing it.

Sweaters Need Special Attention

Your new knitwear will stay beautiful for years to come with these simple procedures:

• Dry cleaning
  Make sure your cleaner has experience with fine fibers, such as cashmere. Notify your cleaner if you’re dropping off cashmere or cashmere with silk. Ask if your cleaner does blocking. This means that the cleaner will “block” the garment to its original size after cleaning. Blocking helps prevent shrinkage and disappointment later.
• Hand washing
  First, choose an appropriate gentle cleanser. Wash each garment separately in lukewarm water. Squeeze suds gently through the fabric—NEVER rub. Rinse thoroughly, at least three times, and gently squeeze, but don’t twist. Dry it naturally on a flat towel. Don’t expose fine knitwear to direct sunlight, especially white sweaters; it will bleach the material. When your garment is dry, you may press it using a damp cloth to smooth out wrinkles, but NEVER iron.

Want to get an early start on your spring cleaning? Your curtains and drapes might be a good first step. They can help your home look cleaner and brighter, and save you work when the weather turns nice.

But there are some things you should know about your curtains and drapes before having them cleaned.

The Life of Your Drapes

Curtains and drapes are made of a variety of cloths, from heavy durable fabrics, to light, transparent materials. But no matter what they are made of, a number of environmental factors will affect their condition and lifespan. These include:

• Sunlight
  Sun damage and fading strike unlined drapes the hardest. Sunlight will not only fade colors but also wear on the threads of the fabric itself. While man-made fibers such as polyester are more resistant to such damage, no material is immune.
• Oxidation
  Fumes from smoking, pollution, cooking, etc., contain chemicals which will cling to curtains and drapes. When combined with humidity and oxygen, these chemicals can create a mild acid which hastens deterioration.
• Shrinkage
  Humidity and air quality can cause drapes to shrink up to 2%. Over time, this shrinkage can be progressive.
• Dyes and Pigments
  Drapery dyes, like all other dyes, are subject to changes over time. These can include bleeding, cracking and running. Pigments held on fabric with a binding agent can also crack, stiffen and fade over time.
• Humidity and Moisture
  Oftentimes, condensation on windows comes into contact with drapes leaving permanent water marks.

Cleaning: Choose Experience

Cleaning drapery is as much art as science. An expert in this area will have experience dealing with a wide variety of materials and the equipment necessary to press and reform draperies of all sizes.

Max I. Walker’s skilled experts have decades of experience allowing us to give you:

• No shrinkage guarantee
• Soft decorator fold and “like new appearance”
• Straight and even hemlines
• Absolutely no sagging due to the cleaning process
• Square corners
• Expert inspection of every piece of your drapery

Max I. Walker even offers “Take Down And Rehang Service” to make the process as easy as possible.

What You Can Do To Help

Many of the factors above are unpredictable and can, over the life of your drapes, affect their appearance. So, when it comes to drapes, it pays to remember the following:

• Know the fiber, weave and finish of your drape or curtain
• Examine the quality of construction when purchasing your drapes
• If possible, rotate curtains or drapes from sunny windows to an unexposed side of the house
• Inform your cleaner of the fiber content in your draperies or curtains
• Remember, the life expectancy of draperies is between three to five years;
  however, conditions in your home may shorten that substantially
• Send your draperies or curtains to a reliable, experienced cleaner like Max I. Walker, with the right equipment to clean and press drapery