Open Hours
7:00am-6:00pm Mon - Fri
Contact us
(903) 757-7282
Those quiet, simple moments on the couch are actually those we remember the most. They’re not flashy or Instagram-worthy, but they matter. And yet, we bet that one glass you poured to unwind didn’t feel so relaxing once it landed on your shirt or trousers. Whether it was a clumsy reach for the remote, a surprise sneeze, or just a little too much enthusiasm during your story, now you have a red wine stain front and center.
That splash of wine may have surprised you, but we’re not about to let it stick around. The key is understanding what’s safe for your fabric and what’s only going to make things worse. So let’s get into the simple, proven methods to tackle that stain before it sets in for good.
Red wine stains are difficult to remove due to their high tannin content and deeply pigmented nature. When spilled on clothing, red wine can bond with the fibers within seconds, especially on absorbent textiles like cotton, wool, or linen.
Immediate action is critical, but even if you didn’t catch it right away, there are still effective at-home options for minimizing or reversing the damage, and these are the following:
Red wine requires prompt, targeted treatment, but with the right materials and process, most stains can be managed effectively from home.
White wine may not leave a vivid stain, but don’t be fooled. It can still affect the color, texture, and smell of your clothing if not addressed. The sugars and acidity in white wine can degrade fabric over time, especially in natural fibers like silk, cotton, and linen. In addition, if not treated, any residual sugar may attract dirt, causing yellow or brown stains later.
Try these steps as soon as the spill happens:
Rosé wine combines two stain culprits light red pigmentation and sugar content making it particularly problematic on white or pastel fabrics. While it may not look severe at first glance, rosé can leave behind faint pinkish marks that deepen with heat or time. That’s why prompt attention and the right approach are key.
Here’s exactly what you need to do to make sure your white or light-colored clothes stay pristine after a rosé spill.
Sparkling wines like Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava might look less threatening when spilled, but they bring their own unique challenges. The carbonation can drive liquid deeper into the fabric fibers, and the high sugar content can leave behind sticky residue that attracts dirt. Left untreated, these spills can yellow or stiffen delicate garments.
Always avoid applying heat until you’re sure that the stain, and more importantly, the sugar, is fully removed. Otherwise, sticky residue may harden and discolor your clothes during future washes.
Dessert wines like Port, Sauternes, Moscato, and Ice Wine are rich, dark, and incredibly sugary, making them some of the most difficult stains to handle, especially on delicate garments. If you spill this type of wine on fabrics like silk, lace, chiffon, or anything lightweight and unlined, you’ll need a more delicate, cautious approach. These fabrics absorb quickly and show discoloration easily, so avoid anything aggressive.
Let the item air dry flat, away from heat or direct sun. Delicate garments may take longer to fully dry, but this gentle method preserves their texture and shape while effectively removing the stain.
You never know when a stain will strike, whether it’s a splash of red wine on a quiet night at home, a coffee mishap on the way to work, or a sauce stain from your favorite family dinner. That’s why it pays to have a trusted cleaner in your corner.
At McLendon Cleaners, we’ve spent nearly 80 years perfecting the art and science of stain removal, treating everything from delicate silks to everyday workwear with advanced techniques and environmentally friendly dry cleaning solutions tailored to each fabric and stain type. Our centralized, state-of-the-art workshop in Longview gives us complete control over every step cleaning, spot treatment, pressing, inspection, and packaging so you can count on consistent, high-quality results every single time.
Call our customer service team at (903) 485-1356, reach out via email at care@mclendoncleaners.com, or drop by one of our three convenient drive-thru locations in Longview or Kilgore, Texas.
You might have heard bridal experts recommend "acid-free preservation boxes" and perhaps wondered if it's just a fancy storage option or if it genuinely matters. Can a special box really make a difference in protecting your wedding dress from discoloration, fabric deterioration, and yellowing over time?
If you take the word of wedding dress preservation specialists who have seen firsthand what happens when dresses are stored improperly versus when they’re preserved the right way, the answer is and will always be a yes.
So let’s get into it—what exactly are acid-free preservation boxes, and do they really live up to the hype?
While both acid-free and regular preservation boxes claim to protect your dress, the materials from which they’re made—and how they interact with delicate fabrics—are very different. To help you understand what sets them apart, here’s a side-by-side look at their key features:
| Category | Acid-free Preservation Box | Regular Preservation Box |
|---|---|---|
| Material Composition | Made from pH-neutral, acid-free, lignin-free board | Often made from standard cardboard or paperboard |
| Chemical Stability | Chemically stable; prevents fabric degradation | May release acids over time, risking fabric damage |
| Archival Quality | Meets museum-grade storage standards | Typically not archival quality |
| Tissue Paper Used | Acid-free, buffered or unbuffered tissue | Often uses standard tissue or none at all |
| Long-term Suitability | Designed for decades of safe storage | May degrade or discolor fabrics over time |
| Common Usage | Professional wedding dress preservation and heirloom items | Basic garment storage or short-term boxing |
Using an acid-free preservation box isn’t just a trend—it’s a trusted method used by museum curators, textile conservators, and professional dress preservationists to protect delicate garments from irreversible damage. So if you plan to pass down your dress, reuse parts of it, or simply keep it as a cherished memory, you can't go wrong with it.
Acid-free materials keep harmful chemical reactions from breaking down your dress fabric over time. This is what helps your dress stay true to its original color—whether it’s bright white, ivory, blush, or champagne.
Delicate materials like silk, lace, and tulle can become brittle when exposed to acidic environments. An acid-free box helps maintain the strength and integrity of those fragile fibers, so your dress stays intact for decades.
Invisible residues—like body oils or sugars from your wedding cake—can oxidize and leave behind dark stains if your dress is stored in the wrong conditions. Acid-free boxes paired with acid-free tissue slow down that process dramatically.
These boxes are designed to keep out light, dust, and moisture, which are all major culprits of fabric breakdown. It creates a micro-environment that’s ideal for preservation without needing fancy climate controls.
Whether you want to pass down your dress, repurpose it into another garment, or simply take it out years from now to reminisce, an acid-free box ensures it will be in the best possible condition when you do.
There’s a reason acid-free boxes are used in museums to store vintage textiles and historical garments. The same preservation standards used for priceless artifacts are applied to your wedding dress—because it deserves nothing less.
This is a great question, indeed! If you take the time to professionally clean and preserve your dress, it’s only natural to wonder how long that protection will actually last. When properly cleaned, handled, and stored in an acid-free preservation box, a wedding dress can safely be stored for 30 years or more without significant fabric deterioration. In fact, many bridal preservation experts consider acid-free boxes to be the gold standard for long-term storage, especially when paired with acid-free tissue and kept in a cool, dry environment away from sunlight.
It’s worth noting, though, that no storage method is completely hands-off forever. To ensure your dress stays in the best condition possible, it’s a good idea to check on it every few years. Look for any changes in the fabric, and make sure the box remains intact and undamaged by humidity or pests.
Before it ever goes into the box, your dress needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove makeup, sweat, dirt, and hidden stains (like champagne or sugar, which can turn brown over time).
Even the best preservation box can’t do it all if it’s stored in a hot attic or damp basement. For best results, keep the box in a cool, dry place—under your bed, in a closet, or on a shelf indoors.
Whenever you do take a peek, make sure your hands are clean—or better yet, wear cotton gloves. Even natural oils from your skin can cause damage over time.
Resist the urge to open the box often. The more it’s exposed to air, the higher the chance of moisture or pollutants getting inside. Acid-free preservation boxes often include a viewing window so you can look without disturbing the seal.
Think of your acid-free box as an insurance policy for your dress. It protects your dress from everything the outside world can throw at it—light, moisture, air, time—so you can preserve those memories exactly how you want.
At McLendon Cleaners, we offer inhouse Wedding Dress Cleaning and Preservation Service, which means your dress never leaves our facility. No third-party shipping. No outsourcing. Just expert care from the same trusted hands start to finish.
We personally treat every dress using eco-friendly, fabric-safe cleaning methods to gently remove stains, oils, and residue. Once cleaned, your dress is packed in a museum-quality preservation box in premium acid-free materials designed to prevent yellowing, creasing, and fabric damage over time. And because everything stays local, you’ll always know where your dress is—and who's caring for it. In addition to preserving your wedding dress, we also offer accessory preservation for veils, headpieces, belts, gloves, jewelry, and even shoes.
Call us today at 903-551-6835 or email care@mclendoncleaners.com to book your appointment. We’re open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM–6:00 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Before Wash and Fold Laundry Services were even offered to communities, there were laundromats and the old-fashioned at-home laundry routine—both requiring time, effort, and a lot of waiting around. If you didn’t have a washer and dryer at home, you had to haul your clothes to a self-service laundromat, load the machines yourself, and wait through every wash and dry cycle before finally folding and heading home. It was a process that, while necessary, took up valuable hours of the day.
Fast forward to today, and Wash and Fold Laundry Services have completely changed how people manage their laundry. Instead of spending hours washing and folding laundry, customers can simply drop off their laundry (or schedule a pickup) and have everything returned fresh, clean, and neatly folded—ready to go straight into their drawers. It’s an effortless, time-saving solution for professionals, parents, and anyone who’d rather spend their free time doing something other than laundry.
But with so many laundry services popping up, how do you know which one is actually worth signing up for? In this blog, we break down what to look for in a Wash and Fold Laundry Service before you commit—from quality and pricing to convenience and customer care. Read on to get all the details.
One of the first things you should check is pricing transparency. Some services offer flat rates, per-pound pricing, or package deals, but what really matters is avoiding hidden fees that can sneak up on you.
Wash and Fold Laundry Services charge in different ways, so it’s important to know exactly how they calculate costs.
Not all Wash and Fold Laundry Services include the same things in their base price. Some places charge extra for basic services that others provide for free.
Here are common hidden fees you should watch out for:
Once you know the full cost breakdown, see if you can save money by looking for:
Not all laundry services operate on the same schedule—some offer same-day or next-day turnaround, while others may take two to three days depending on demand. Understanding your options before you sign up helps you avoid last-minute surprises and ensures you get your laundry back exactly when you need it.
Most Wash and Fold Laundry Services follow a general turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours. However, this can vary depending on location, service demand, and the volume of laundry you drop off.
Before signing up, check their standard return times and whether they have specific policies for weekends and holidays.
Sometimes, you just can’t wait 24-48 hours for your laundry. If you’re in a hurry, ask if the service offers rush or same-day options.
If speed is a priority, make sure you confirm their cutoff times for same-day or next-day service before dropping off your laundry.
Some services cut corners by using harsh, low-quality detergents that can cause fading, fabric damage, or skin irritation. Others go the extra mile, using premium, hypoallergenic, or eco-friendly detergents to give your clothes the best care possible.
Before you sign up for a Wash and Fold Laundry Service, it’s worth asking a few questions about their detergents, fabric softeners, and overall cleaning methods to make sure they align with your personal preferences and laundry needs.
If you have a preference for detergents, ask if they offer an option to upgrade or customize your detergent choice.
If you have sensitive skin or allergies, check if the service offers hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergents like Seventh Generation, all free & clear, or ECOS.
If sustainability matters to you, ask if the service offers eco-friendly or non-toxic detergent options.
One major advantage of using a professional laundry service is their ability to remove tough stains better than a home washing machine. However, not all services handle stains the same way.
If you frequently deal with coffee, wine, grease, or ink stains, check if the service provides pretreatment options.
If you prefer a gentler stain treatment, ask if they use oxygen-based cleaners like OxiClean or natural stain removers.
If you’re juggling work, family, or just a packed schedule, a laundry service that comes to you can save you valuable time and effort. So before signing up, here’s what you need to know to find a reliable and convenient laundry service that fits your needs.
One of the first things to check is whether Pickup and Delivery Service is included in the price or if there’s an additional fee.
If convenience is your priority, choose a local laundry service that offers hassle-free scheduling and no hidden fees for pickup and delivery.
A great Wash and Fold Laundry Service should make scheduling a Pickup and Delivery Service as easy as possible. Look for:
The best services allow customers to set their preferred pickup frequency, whether it’s on-demand, weekly, or bi-weekly.
Some Wash and Fold Laundry Services have a minimum weight or price requirement for pickup and delivery orders.
A reliable Wash and Fold Laundry Service should have clear policies in place for handling lost or damaged items, so you’re not left frustrated and out of pocket. Before signing up, here’s what you need to know about how they track, recover, and compensate for lost or ruined laundry.
The best way to avoid lost clothing is to ensure the laundry service has a tracking system in place. Some laundromats still rely on handwritten tags, while others use digital tracking for each customer’s laundry bag.
Even with the best tracking systems, mistakes happen. Before signing up, ask the service how they handle missing items.
A great Wash and Fold Laundry Service should use proper detergents, wash cycles, and drying temperatures to prevent damage. However, accidents like shrinkage, fading, or tearing can still happen.
Some services won’t take responsibility for damage to items without care labels, so always check their policy before dropping off laundry.
If your wardrobe includes linen shirts, suede jackets, leather pants, or silk blouses and dresses, you need a laundry service that understands how to properly clean, dry, and care for fragile items. Before signing up, make sure the service you choose offers special care for delicate fabrics and won’t just toss your premium garments into a high-heat industrial washer with everything else.
Some fabrics require extra care and should never be machine washed in hot water or thrown into a dryer. A professional Wash and Fold Laundry Service should have the right cleaning methods for delicate items such as:
One of the biggest mistakes a laundry service can make is tossing delicate items into a high-heat dryer. A quality service should offer:
A professional Wash and Fold Laundry Service should allow customers to request custom care instructions for fragile garments.
If a laundry service doesn’t accommodate special requests, they may not be the right choice for your delicate items.
A reliable Wash and Fold Laundry Service should have a responsive, friendly, and professional customer service team that makes you feel confident about entrusting them with your clothes. But how can you tell if a laundry service has good customer service before you sign up? The best way is to check reviews, responsiveness, and policies before committing.
One of the easiest ways to gauge a laundry service’s reliability is by reading Google, Yelp, and social media reviews. Real customers share their experiences, both good and bad, and this can help you make an informed decision.
If a service has too many negative reviews, it’s a sign they don’t prioritize customer satisfaction.
A great Wash and Fold Laundry Service should have multiple ways to contact customer support—whether it’s to schedule a pickup, ask about a missing item, or clarify pricing.
If a laundry service ignores customer inquiries, chances are they won’t be helpful if there’s ever a problem with your order.
Even the best laundry services occasionally make mistakes, but how they handle those mistakes is what separates a good business from a bad one.
A Wash and Fold Laundry Service with excellent customer support always puts its customers first and takes the necessary steps to fix any issues fairly.
Need a Wash and Fold Laundry Service that truly cares for your clothes? McLendon Cleaners has been Longview’s trusted laundry service provider since 1945, delivering unmatched quality and attention to detail in every load. Whether it’s your everyday jeans, delicate dresses, crisp work shirts, or formal suits, we ensure each item is cleaned, folded, and returned fresh and ready to wear.
For ultimate convenience, we offer three drive-thru locations—two in Longview and one in Kilgore, Texas—so you can drop off and pick up your laundry without ever leaving your car. And if you're looking to save even more time, check out our five unique, high-value Time Saver Plans. Each plan is crafted to suit a variety of lifestyles, providing exceptional prices, exclusive perks, and more!
Visit one of our locations today or sign up for one of our Time Saver Plans!
Dry cleaning is a specialized cleaning process that uses chemical solvents instead of water to clean clothes and other fabrics. It's called "dry" because no water is involved, even though the garments are immersed in liquid solvents.
This method is ideal for delicate materials like silk, wool, or suede, and for garments with intricate details, such as suits, wedding dresses, or clothing with embellishments, that could be damaged by water or the agitation of a washing machine. Dry cleaning not only removes dirt and stains effectively but also preserves the fabric's texture, color, and shape, making it essential for items that require gentle care.
As we explore every step of the dry cleaning process from dropoff to pick up, we take you behind the scenes of how dry cleaners operate. With these details, we hope to dispel any doubts you may have about dry cleaning and show you how each garment is meticulously handcrafted and cared for.
During the dropoff process, the dry cleaner carefully inspects each garment to identify stains, fabric types, and any necessary repairs. Here's what happens during the dropoff and inspection process.
When you drop off your clothes, it’s essential to share important details with the dry cleaner, such as the following:
Once your garments are dropped off, the dry cleaner performs a detailed inspection to determine their care requirements.
Proper organization during dropoff prevents mix-ups and ensures every garment receives the correct care.
Pretreatment is a crucial step in the dry cleaning process that addresses stains before the full cleaning begins. It combines expert knowledge of stain removal with specialized cleaning agents to effectively target the problem areas.
Here's how stains are pretreated and why this step is crucial to maintain the appearance of your clothing.
The first step in pretreatment is to identify the stain type, as different stains require different solutions.
Before applying cleaning agents, the fabric’s reaction to the treatment is tested to ensure safety.
Once the stain and fabric are evaluated, the appropriate cleaning agent is applied directly to the affected area.
Certain materials demand extra care during pretreatment to preserve their unique qualities.
The dry cleaning machine process is the heart of professional garment care. Unlike traditional washing machines, dry cleaning machines use specialized solvents and precise cycles to remove dirt, oils, and stains while preserving the integrity of your garments. Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved and why this process is so effective.
The process begins with careful preparation and loading of the garments.
Once loaded, the machine begins its primary cleaning cycle using specialized solvents.
After cleaning, the machine removes the solvent from the garments.
Next, the garments are dried in the same machine using a specialized drying cycle.
Once drying is complete, garments go through a cooling phase to restore their natural texture. The machine gradually reduces the drum temperature to prevent shock to fabrics. This step helps maintain the softness and integrity of delicate textiles. Some machines use a softening agent to refresh the fabric and leave it feeling smooth to the touch.
Cleaners carefully inspect areas prone to stains, such as collars, cuffs, and underarms. Any lingering marks are treated again with targeted stain removal methods. Garments with stubborn stains are set aside for re-cleaning or specialized spot treatments.
Each garment is also checked for any discoloration or fading that might have occurred during cleaning For high value or delicate items, color-safe cleaning agents ensure the original vibrancy is maintained.
If repairs or alterations were requested during dropoff, this is the stage where they are verified. Repaired buttons and zippers are tested to ensure functionality and proper alignment. Missing buttons are replaced, and loose buttons are secured. For tailored garments, the post-cleaning inspection ensures that linings, seams, and padding are intact and correctly positioned.
The finishing touches are where a good dry cleaning job becomes a great one. It’s the stage where garments are polished, perfected, and prepared for their return to you. Here are a few finishing techniques that bring out the best in your garments, and why they are so critical.
Protect your high value garments with McLendon Cleaners - Longview’s trusted dry cleaning expert since 1945. For nearly 80 years, we have proudly provided exceptional care, unparalleled quality, and personalized customer service that truly sets us apart.
Our full range of services includes Dry Cleaning, Comforter Cleaning, Wash and Fold Laundry, and Wedding Gown Cleaning and Preservation—all designed to keep your garments in pristine condition! Call us at 903-757-7282 to schedule a service or visit one of our three convenient locations today!
Keeping your clothes looking their best can be a challenge, especially if you want to extend the time between dry cleaning. Here are some practical tips to help you maintain your garments at home, ensuring they stay fresh and in good condition.
Before washing or storing your clothes, always check the care labels. They provide specific instructions on how to clean and maintain your garments. Following these guidelines can prevent damage and ensure your clothes last longer.
If you spill something on your clothes, address it as soon as possible. Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth to absorb excess liquid, and avoid rubbing it, which can spread the stain. For specific stains, use a mild detergent or fabric cleaner according to the care label instructions.
Avoid wearing the same items repeatedly without giving them a break. Rotating your wardrobe helps prevent wear and tear on specific garments. It also allows your clothes to recover their shape and prevents odors from settling in.
When it's time to store your clothes, use breathable garment bags for delicate items and avoid plastic covers, which can trap moisture and lead to mold or mildew. Make sure to clean items like winter coats and suits before storing them to prevent stains from setting in.
Invest in quality hangers to help maintain the shape of your garments. For heavier items like coats, use wide-shouldered hangers. For delicate fabrics, padded hangers can prevent stretching and slipping.
A cluttered closet can cause clothes to wrinkle and lose their shape. Ensure there's enough space between garments to allow airflow. This not only helps prevent wrinkles but also keeps your clothes smelling fresh.
After wearing items like suits or dresses, hang them up in a well-ventilated area to air out before putting them back in the closet. This helps eliminate odors and allows any moisture from sweat to evaporate.
By following these tips, you can help maintain the quality of your clothes between dry cleaning sessions. A little extra care goes a long way in prolonging the life of your favorite garments. For professional cleaning when needed, trust McLendon Cleaners to provide the expert care your clothes deserve!
If you’ve ever wondered how dry cleaning keeps your favorite clothes looking pristine without the use of water, you're not alone! Dry cleaning is a fascinating process that combines modern chemistry with traditional garment care. Let’s take a closer look at how it works, why it's effective, and when you should consider using it.
Contrary to what the name suggests, dry cleaning isn’t completely “dry.” Instead of using water, dry cleaning relies on specialized chemical solvents to clean fabrics. The most commonly used solvent is called perchloroethylene, or "perc," though there are other eco-friendly alternatives like hydrocarbon or liquid CO2.
These solvents are effective at breaking down oils, dirt, and stains that water-based cleaning methods often struggle to remove, making dry cleaning ideal for delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and intricate garments such as suits or dresses.
Certain fabrics and garments can’t be washed in water because they are either too delicate or prone to damage. Here are a few reasons why dry cleaning is the go-to method for special care:
While not every garment requires dry cleaning, it is recommended for items like:
Always check the care label on your clothing. If it says “dry clean only,” then dry cleaning is necessary to avoid damaging the fabric. Even for items that can be hand-washed, dry cleaning might still be the better option for preserving the quality and extending the life of the garment.
Many dry cleaners are adopting greener methods by using environmentally friendly solvents like hydrocarbon or liquid CO2. These alternatives still clean effectively but are less harmful to the environment and gentler on fabrics. Always ask your cleaner about their eco-friendly options if sustainability is a priority for you.
Dry cleaning is a safe, effective way to maintain the quality of your garments while protecting delicate fabrics. By using advanced solvents and specialized machines, dry cleaning removes stains and keeps clothes looking new without the wear and tear of water-based cleaning.
Next time you're wondering if you should dry clean that special garment, consider how the process works and why it's essential for certain fabrics. Trust your local dry cleaner to give your clothing the care it deserves!
✅ Up to 5 clothing pieces
⏰ Includes Next Day Service
Rewards expire at the end of the month!
Exclusions apply. Offer valid on everyday wear only.
