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The holiday season reminds us all that there are great businesses all around us and giving back to the community. Shop locally, it makes for unique and thoughtful gifts. Showing your support to small, local businesses can be done in many ways. Writing an online review, engaging with their social media, and of course, purchasing their products or services are all great ways to do so. So you’re on board to shop locally this year, but you don’t know where to start. Here are some tips to find great presents that support your community at the same time. Talk it Out A great place to start is asking the people in your life if they have a favorite go-to spot in town. We put a great deal of trust into what our friends recommend and let’s be honest, we do this because they usually have great taste! One great experience leads to many new opportunities for a business so if you find out about a place, go ahead and pass it along as well. Take a Drive We know going into physical stores might not be your cup of tea this year, but a good way to explore what your town has to offer is making a tour inside your car. Of course, if you’ve loved going downtown and already know the best spots, we always encourage you to window shop locally as well. Most small businesses are offering curbside pickup options and your GreenEarth dry cleaner might even offer pickup and delivery so you can safely receive products and services from your local shops without stepping inside. Head Online Looking at your local newspaper or publications for recommendations is also a great starting point. Most articles you can find will actually list gift ideas for you: the best gift card deals, the best gifts for Mom, etcetera. What could be easier than that? Think Outside the Box Give the gift of no more laundry this year! Taking care of a loved one’s garments is what your GreenEarth cleaner is here for. Get in touch with your local dry cleaner and see if they are offering gift cards or schedule a pickup for a family member. These gestures mean a lot to the people in your life and, you guessed it, that small dry cleaner appreciates it a whole lot too. Find a GreenEarth cleaner near you.

GreenEarth has been running a number of short webinars around sustainable aftercare throughout 2020, but we decided to run something more in-depth on November 19th. As a company that is always looking to innovate and progress, we have conducted new research and have been progressing with product development as best we can. The webinar lasted for just under 2 hours, with presentations from GreenEarth Cleaning President Tim Maxwell, SGS USA and Canada Business Head Louann Spirito, and GreenEarth Cleaning Sustainability Director, Garry Knox. Tim Maxwell gave an insight into the Dry-Cleaning industry with a focus on the GreenEarth Cleaning difference. In addition, he shared information about the new microfibre and microplastic filter ‘Sea Clear’, designed for the commercial laundry sector and the research carried out to determine the potential impact of different forms of aftercare have on Covid-19, in relation to fabric. SGS has been a GreenEarth partner for over 5 years now, and Louann talked about their experience of GreenEarth, the reasons why they chose to commit to GreenEarth testing after their initial trial period. Louann has vast experience within the soft lines testing environment and was able to draw on her experience of all forms of garment aftercare, discussing all their features. Garry Knox primarily deals with Manufacturers and brands around the world and GreenEarth affiliates in the UK and Europe.  He was able to talk about the central government initiatives to fund a ‘Green Recovery’ from the current economic crisis and the brand activity that is also supporting a greener and more sustainable future. If you’d like to find out more about how GreenEarth Cleaning works with Fashion brands and manufacturers, please visit:  https://www.greenearthcleaning.com/apparel/

When it comes to sustainability in the textile arena (particularly in Fashion), a change has got to come.  In terms of the carbon emissions relating to the industry alone, it is one of the highest utility using sectors.  In the manufacturing side and also the disposal side.  Clothes are not lasting long enough. The right noises are being made and many are talking about how a “Green Recovery” is the only recovery we can or should make in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the U.K we are making a shift, but more (and something truly authentic) needs to be done.  It’s more about true green solutions and NOT “Green Wash!” The main goal of the Paris Climate Change agreement is to limit global temperature increases to just 1.5 degrees Celsius.  As things currently stand, there is a lot more that needs to be done to achieve that.  Probably an improvement of 60% against individual targets and the answer is not a silver bullet. A real shift is necessary, incorporating initiatives relating to sustainable design, responsible sourcing, fibre content, recyclable fibres, lifetime of the garment, circularity, renewable energy and recycling operations. This will become, like lots of things this year, the “new normal” and will involve a complete reset.  Fashion retail as a whole is going through a complete reset right now.  Not just the regulations they operate under due to the pandemic but catching up with their competitors.  Before 2020, for some retailers it didn’t matter if their online presence wasn’t too sophisticated because in some cases the bricks and mortar side, the store, balanced that out.  But footfall downturns have caused this reset. Even in the supermarket space, Aldi has launched a ‘click and collect’ model to cater to customers who don’t want to visit the inside of the store.  Not quite the full delivery service, but a step in the right direction. New alignment and joined-up thinking are going to have a big impact.  Just this week the U.K. chancellor has launched a ‘Green Bond’ which will help fund projects that will tackle climate change and firms and by 2025 large companies will have to publicly disclose the risks they face from climate change and the net-zero transition, or explain why not, by the end of 2023. Making the UK the first country in the world to make climate risk disclosures obligatory. But there needs to be an alignment with consumer behaviours and attitudes.  Something that demonstrates authenticity, whilst giving guidance, educating, something that’s measurable and that communicates all there is to know. The consumer is becoming savvier and is always looking for that gap in the logic.  We’ve become far more analytical and data-driven and there is very much a focus on what gets measured gets actioned.  For us, the gap is between sustainable design and production of a garment and how it’s disposed of. Leading us to a need for brands to focus on how to increase the lifetime of the garment, not just through sustainable design but in how the garment is cared for, so that it can live a long life in the wardrobe, and is in better condition to be passed on to someone else, or indeed, making sure the fabric is in a better condition to be recycled. GreenEarth will be holding a webinar on November 19th to talk about our advancements over the past 21 years and how we can all play a part in making clothes last longer.  To register your FREE place, please visit our Events page.

It was the summer of 2010 and everyone was anxiously awaiting the release of Toy Story 3; it was a simpler time. Apple launched its state-of-the-art virtual chat app FaceTime, which initially required a WiFi signal for use. From that point on, grandparents everywhere would ask, “Is this thing on?” and frustratingly attempt to unmute themselves. Once again, thanks to technology, our world was forever changed. Fast forward nearly a decade, leading up to 2020, our video chat capabilities had vastly improved and our application options seemed limitless. The digitization of our work environment was already in full swing. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, that adoption was thrown into warp speed with businesses scrambling to adapt to a socially-distant world. These video chat applications came in clutch. Working from home was the “new normal” and traveling to clients for in-person meetings was limited to essential business. Most companies implemented virtual meetings and learned how to conduct “business as usual” remotely, using whatever technology necessary to accomplish their day-to-day tasks. Microsoft Teams, various Google Apps, Zoom, and any other number of applications that allowed employees to interact with each other and share working projects became an integral part of how workplaces operate. A key ingredient to GreenEarth Cleaning’s success has always been our expert technical team. The pandemic posed a big challenge to continue to provide a high level of support to Members of the GreenEarth Network all over the world. Video support was not unheard of for us, but it was not the primary medium for providing assistance either. Virtual Visits are the “new normal” for our technical team, and our Affiliates are finding great value in them. Our team has mastered the experience to provide our Members with the same level of technical guidance and support that we’ve maintained throughout the years. As our world is changing at an even more rapid pace than ever before, business models are forced to pivot to a new way of thinking. This means different things for different companies, but for us, it’s shifted our focus to online workshop sessions and Virtual Visits—the bridge between a voice-only phone call and an in-person visit. To all GreenEarth Affiliates, make sure to save your spot on the calendar. Simply call our main office at 816-926-0895 or email techncial@greenearthcleaning.com.

Call me cliché, but fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves turn from green to gold, the air gets crisper, and the layers come out. Admittedly, the fall wardrobe transition might be the biggest reason I’m so fond of the season. Cozy knits, warm scarves, leather jackets, ankle boots—I look forward to outfits including these pieces all year long. And while autumn offers up some swoon-worthy style options, fall fabrics can prove to be a bit of a challenge when it comes to cleaning and care. Wools pill after repeated wears. Leather items can become cracked and brittle without proper conditioning and protection. Furs lose their luster as they gather dirt, oils, and odors throughout the season. Velvet’s unique pile can get matted and flat. The trick to avoiding these issues with your fall wardrobe is regular professional care—more specifically, care from your local GreenEarth cleaner. A dry cleaner has extensive knowledge of fabrics as well as how they’re constructed and will be able to determine the proper and best cleaning techniques. When you trust your garments to a GreenEarth cleaner, you can rest assured that you’re leaving your fall wardrobe in expert and safe hands. The GreenEarth Cleaning System delivers an impeccable clean without exposing your clothes or the environment to harmful chemicals. It’s made up of just one ingredient—pure liquid silicone, which is essentially liquified sand and an abundant natural resource. Unlike petroleum-based solvents which actually wear away surface fibers during the cleaning process, liquid silicone is chemically inert, meaning it doesn’t chemically react with fabric fibers; it just carries the detergent to your clothes and gently carries away soils. Because of its gentle nature, there’s no risk of leaching dyes, shrinkage, or damaged trims, either. Garments come back fresh, soft, and rejuvenated after being cleaned in GreenEarth. And did we mention there’s no chemical smell? In fact, there’s no smell at all. GreenEarth is completely odorless. Now there’s nothing more to do but pay your nearest GreenEarth cleaner a visit with some fall favorites and experience the difference for yourself. If you’d prefer a contactless customer experience, many of our Affiliates offer pickup and delivery service. Get started by using our Store Locator here.

The anticipation of Halloween includes trick-or-treating, black and orange decorations, and lots and lots of candy. Getting together with friends and loved ones might be expected for Halloween celebrations but there are other ways you can celebrate this year as you stay at home for a green Halloween. October 31st is only a few days away and if you’re a sustainability enthusiast who loves all things spooky, these fun activities are just for you! Carving Pumpkins Put the green into carving your pumpkins. Buy your pumpkin locally. Save the insides and repurpose them in different recipes. Stay away from using bleach to make your pumpkin last longer. After the season is over and you’re ready to get rid of it, critters will use it for food. A natural way to extend the life of your creation is to use vinegar. (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water)   Costume Contest You can still show off your costume with a virtual contest. How do you make your costume eco-friendly? Reuse common household items that would otherwise go to waste. This is where you get creative – use cardboard boxes to become a robot or turn toilet paper rolls into a pirate’s telescope. Take advantage of what’s in your closet. You probably already have a costume in there! Last year’s costume can get an upgrade with some added fake blood and zero new garment purchases.   Homemade Candy If you’re saying no to trick or treating but still want candy at home, make your own! This will cut down on all that wrapper waste and let’s be honest, quarantine has made us all bakers. Here are some ideas: Caramel apples. Everyone can decorate exactly how their sweet tooth desires. Sugared pecans. Anything chocolate-dipped. Pretzels, strawberries, marshmallows, etc.     Halloween Movie Night Putting on a marathon of the family’s favorites is a sure way to get in the Halloween spirit. The eco-friendly spin on this one is pretty simple: Keep the lights off! Enjoy your Halloween!  

In today’s technology-driven world, voicemail may sound like old news. But combine a technologically driven consumer with fears around the current COVID-19 pandemic, and you may find that the telephone is making a comeback. Talking on the phone is back in vogue. With changes in hours and services due to COVID-19, customers need you to be more communicative and do all the heavy lifting in reminding them why they use your services. As a business owner, it may be time to dust off and update your current phone systems, policies, and procedures. A well-scripted, professional greeting, and voicemail can instill your customer’s confidence in you and your business. It gives you a 10 second sound bite to talk about your services, personalize your business, and remind your customer why you are the go-to for their dry cleaning needs. A greeting can be accomplished with the most basic telephone answering services or stepping up to use apps such as RingCentral or Google Voice with a phone tree system that allows you to save time and route calls to the best person to handle the customer’s request. A system that will enable you to answer a call from anywhere, communicate with your team in real-time, and tracking each call gives you valuable data to improve response times and customer service. THE TELEPHONE EXPERIENCE A great phone experience aids customer retention, allowing you to handle every customer even when you can’t get to the phone. Voicemail enables the customer to leave a detailed message, so you will call back with a solution, demonstrating your capableness. Investment in a phone system or maximizing your current system is a cost-savings measure to improve your bottom line. You no longer have to have someone to be there to answer the phones or task an already busy employee to catch the phone between their other duties. The phone experience is so vital to your brand that it is better to let it go to voicemail than to have someone do it half-fast. On the flip side, not having a greeting or a message that “voicemail is full” tells your customer that you are too busy or, even worse, are no longer in business. A missed call is a lost opportunity, so test your system to see if it meets today’s customer demands. CALL YOUR COMPETITORS Next, take a few minutes to call your competitors; Did the call instill confidence in the store and its services? How would you rate the customer service experience on a scale of 1 to 10? How does your store rate? If the budget is tight, ask friends and family to mystery shop your store over the telephone and report back. You will improve your customer service by taking the feedback and creating your training schedule around their response. Be sure to share your findings with your team and include them in making the necessary changes to your system to compliment your brand.

Don’t put your dry cleaner in a box! They can help you clean a lot more than just those “dry clean only” items. Give your everyday wear the same love that you do your work attire with wash and fold services. Think about how often you change what you’re wearing – your working from home attire might look different from your running errands outfit versus your loungewear when the day’s over. And kids change their clothes often too, especially with back-to-school routines starting up again. Rest assured, the weight of laundry doesn’t need to fall on your already busy shoulders. Cue the perfect solution to save you time and effort. Wash and fold services make it easy for you to take care of the laundry. Sorting your clothes, washing, and folding can all be taken care of by a GreenEarth Affiliate. They’ll sanitize and disinfect your garments so they are safe and soft on your skin and ready to be worn again. And for those garments that need dry cleaned, GreenEarth is a non-toxic cleaning system without harsh chemicals or odor. So it’s ideal for sensitive skin and comfortable for kids and adults alike. When you’ve got a lot going on, trust a GreenEarth Affiliate to cross laundry off that to-do list with wash and fold. Find an affiliate near you here.

PSA: Staying in your PJs all day isn’t the most motivating work from home attire. Pajamas and bed are typically associated with one another, and when you’re wearing the same clothes you slept in, your brain will stay in that bedtime mode and lack the productive drive needed to do your job effectively. Getting dressed for work absolutely sets the tone for the day ahead, especially when you work from home. Plus, under current circumstances, it’s pretty likely you’ll be joining in on some video calls. You should look the part. You don’t want others to see a disorganized room behind you when you turn on your webcam, so why should your outfit be any different? And this isn’t a waist-up suggestion, either—we’re talking shirts, slacks, the whole getup. You don’t have to wear a full-on suit (although, you might want to if you have someone to impress), but wearing something you’d normally wear into an office and combing through your hair is certainly a step in the right direction. Aside from what you’re wearing, how you wear your clothes is equally as important. A clean, crisp, and freshly pressed dress shirt or blouse goes a long way. Ahem, your local GreenEarth cleaner is the one for the job! And because our Network of Affiliates clean your dry cleanable items in a proven environmentally safe system, there’s no worry of color fade, shrinkage, or damage to even the most delicate of fabrics. GreenEarth is also odorless, so while your garments are dry cleaned, they won’t come back to you with a dry cleaned smell. Have we convinced you yet to sharpen up your look for those work from home Zoom meetings? Get started by finding your nearest GreenEarth cleaner using our Store Locator. Tips for taking care of your business clothes: Give your garments room to breathe. Cramming clothes in an overly full closet can create wrinkles as well as wear down sensitive fabrics. Button buttons and zip zippers! If left undone, your garments’ zipper teeth and/or buttons can easily catch on other items in your closet and result in damage. Always make sure to secure these fasteners before putting clothes away. Don’t cut hanger straps out of tops or dresses—use them to reduce stress on the rest of the garment. Hang suit jackets on wide wooden or padded hangers to help them keep their shape. If you wear a belt with your work pants, take it out when hanging them back up. Even if you plan to wear them again the next day, leaving the belt hanging in the loops weakens the fabric.  Tie and untie with care. While pulling on the thin end of your tie through the knot may be the quickest and easiest way to get it off, you run the risk of permanently misshaping the fabric. Follow the tie-tying steps in reverse to remove it and ensure it lasts. Don’t let items sit in plastic garment bags. Over time, it can trap in humidity, thus attracting mildew.