Nationwide Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does Blanc Plume mean?
A. While feather
A. While feather
Q. What does a French Laundry do?
A. Blanc Plume, a division of Arrow Fabricare, is dedicated to cleaning and hand finishing fine household furnishings. Many of these luxury fabric items carry French names such as: matelassé, moiré, dupioni, jacquard, toile, Provençal, passementerie, Pierre Deux, Valdrome, and Souleiado. These are what inspired the name "Blanc Plume."
A. Blanc Plume, a division of Arrow Fabricare, is dedicated to cleaning and hand finishing fine household furnishings. Many of these luxury fabric items carry French names such as: matelassé, moiré, dupioni, jacquard, toile, Provençal, passementerie, Pierre Deux, Valdrome, and Souleiado. These are what inspired the name "Blanc Plume."
Q. Are those the French names of processes or products?
A. Both. For example, toile is a current and extremely popular cotton print. It is usually considered part of a color-filled, household-decorating scheme known as French Country. Pierre Deux, Valdrome and Souleiado are brand names. Matelasse, jacquard, moiré, passementerie trims and Provencal are descriptors of fabric patterns or processes.
A. Both. For example, toile is a current and extremely popular cotton print. It is usually considered part of a color-filled, household-decorating scheme known as French Country. Pierre Deux, Valdrome and Souleiado are brand names. Matelasse, jacquard, moiré, passementerie trims and Provencal are descriptors of fabric patterns or processes.
Q. How is your service different from other laundry services?
A. Each item is individually inspected for stains and then pretreated with the appropriate agent before being laundered. Then we re-inspect and hand-finish each item, giving considerable attention to the pressing method to ensure a finish "close" or "similar" to when the item was new.
A. Each item is individually inspected for stains and then pretreated with the appropriate agent before being laundered. Then we re-inspect and hand-finish each item, giving considerable attention to the pressing method to ensure a finish "close" or "similar" to when the item was new.
Q. What is considered "luxury linen"?
A. Typically, the retail pricing is higher dollar, such as:luxury sheets with a high thread count (250-1020), items made of Egyptian cotton, Merino wool, pure linen or cashmere. Also considered is anything highly-decorated (crystals, beading) or made of silk, or silk blends, such as duvets, bed skirts, pillowcases and shams. Eiderdown-filled comforters and other down-filled bed coverings require special care. Also included are expensive table linens (frequently made in Ireland, Italy, Germany, France or Belgium), plus large-size tapestries and items carrying exclusive designer labels for the home.
A. Typically, the retail pricing is higher dollar, such as:luxury sheets with a high thread count (250-1020), items made of Egyptian cotton, Merino wool, pure linen or cashmere. Also considered is anything highly-decorated (crystals, beading) or made of silk, or silk blends, such as duvets, bed skirts, pillowcases and shams. Eiderdown-filled comforters and other down-filled bed coverings require special care. Also included are expensive table linens (frequently made in Ireland, Italy, Germany, France or Belgium), plus large-size tapestries and items carrying exclusive designer labels for the home.
Q. I guess my Martha Stewart sheets shouldn't come to Blanc Plume?
A. Arrow will take excellent care of your Martha Stewart sheets and similar linens, but they may not require the same hand-care processes as some of the very expensive fabrics listed above.
A. Arrow will take excellent care of your Martha Stewart sheets and similar linens, but they may not require the same hand-care processes as some of the very expensive fabrics listed above.
Q. How do you clean down comforters, pillows and featherbeds?
A. We clean down and feather products using a wet wash system with chemicals that will clean without stripping the natural moisture from the down and feathers.
A. We clean down and feather products using a wet wash system with chemicals that will clean without stripping the natural moisture from the down and feathers.
Q. My comforter is flat in some spots. Will cleaning it help fluff it up?
A. Down can shift with normal use. The cleaning process will redistribute the down in your comforter. If additional fill is needed, we have both down and feathers available to add to your bedding.
A. Down can shift with normal use. The cleaning process will redistribute the down in your comforter. If additional fill is needed, we have both down and feathers available to add to your bedding.
Q. My pillow is stained and yellow. Can you replace the "ticking"?
A. We can put your down into a new pillow shell. We use white shells with a 285 threadcount.
A. We can put your down into a new pillow shell. We use white shells with a 285 threadcount.
Q. I washed my matelasse coverlet and it shrank. Can you stretch it back to its original size?
A. Shrinkage is a natural part of the laundering process with matelasse. We wet wash the matelasses and block them while wet. We are usually successful in regaining approximately 60% to 80% of the width and/or length that was lost.
A. Shrinkage is a natural part of the laundering process with matelasse. We wet wash the matelasses and block them while wet. We are usually successful in regaining approximately 60% to 80% of the width and/or length that was lost.
Q. How do you clean heirloom quilts?
A. Hand-stitched, antique or artisan quilts need to be evaluated for their condition before we begin their gentle care process. Broken stitching, fading, stains, minor tears in the fabric and loose (or fancy) trim needs to be noted and discussed because Arrow can provide repair, though this will involve extra time and cost. Some people want this service and others do not, fearing further damage. Arrow provides an heirlooming process whereby your ancestral quilt can be preserved against further damage, but still enjoyed as a family treasure.
A. Hand-stitched, antique or artisan quilts need to be evaluated for their condition before we begin their gentle care process. Broken stitching, fading, stains, minor tears in the fabric and loose (or fancy) trim needs to be noted and discussed because Arrow can provide repair, though this will involve extra time and cost. Some people want this service and others do not, fearing further damage. Arrow provides an heirlooming process whereby your ancestral quilt can be preserved against further damage, but still enjoyed as a family treasure.
Q. How can you ship my tablecloth back to me without creasing it?
A. Tablecloths are normally folded and wrapped around a flat cardboard for shipping. At your request and for an additional charge we can roll your tablecloth on a cardboard tube for crease-free shipping.
A. Tablecloths are normally folded and wrapped around a flat cardboard for shipping. At your request and for an additional charge we can roll your tablecloth on a cardboard tube for crease-free shipping.
Shipping & Payment
Q. How do I send my items to you to be cleaned?
A. Most of our customers ship their items via our priority courier. You can request an inbound shipping label online or call the Blanc Plume office and request one to be sent by mail. We recommend wrapping your items in plastic for added protection before boxing them for shipping.
A. Most of our customers ship their items via our priority courier. You can request an inbound shipping label online or call the Blanc Plume office and request one to be sent by mail. We recommend wrapping your items in plastic for added protection before boxing them for shipping.
Q. How do I pay for my order?
A. You may use one of several major credit cards. Simply include your card number with your return shipping information (your name, address, telephone number) and we will set up an account for you when we receive your first order.
A. You may use one of several major credit cards. Simply include your card number with your return shipping information (your name, address, telephone number) and we will set up an account for you when we receive your first order.
Q. Do I need to call for a shipping label every time I want to send in an order?
A. When we return your completed order, we automatically send you a shipping bag, a new price list/order form, an information folder, and a shipping label for your next order.
A. When we return your completed order, we automatically send you a shipping bag, a new price list/order form, an information folder, and a shipping label for your next order.
