The smoke smell won't come out of my clothes
Smoke doesn't sit on the surface of fabric. It works its way into the fibers, which is why a load in your own washer often leaves the smell behind. CRDN started as a drycleaning business in metro Detroit, and textiles are still the core of what we do.
Your clothes are deodorized before they are cleaned, because cleaning first can lock the odor in. Then each piece goes through laundry or drycleaning, whichever the fabric calls for. Our owners, Jeff Sitz and Brian Rick, trained in this process at CRDN University in Berkley, Michigan. The goal is clothes you can put on again without smelling the fire.
The pieces you can't just go out and replace
Some of what hangs in your closet has nothing to do with its price tag. A wedding dress, your kids' first outfits, a coat that belonged to a parent. Losing those feels like losing part of your family's story.
Because our process includes drycleaning as well as laundry, dry clean only and delicate pieces are handled the way their fabric needs, not thrown in a washing machine with everything else. You'll know which items can be restored and which can't, so nothing that could have been saved ends up in the trash.
Water got into the basement and now everything smells musty
A burst pipe or a failed water heater can soak boxes of stored clothes, linens, and bedding in a single afternoon, and wet fabric can start to mildew within days.
Our team packs up the affected textiles and gets them out of the damp space, so cleaning can start before mildew takes hold. CRDN restores fabrics damaged by water and mold, not only smoke, so the musty smell and the staining that comes with it are part of what we treat.
Not knowing where your things are or when they're coming back
Watching a crew carry your family's clothes out the door is hard, especially when you're already living out of a bag. Every item we take goes on a detailed inventory, so you and your adjuster can see exactly what left your home.
Recent customers have gotten their textiles back in anywhere from about two weeks to a month, depending on how much was damaged. When they return, clothes come either folded in labeled boxes or hung in plastic, ready to put away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of fabrics can you restore?
Clothing, bedding, linens, towels, drapes, and other household fabrics damaged by fire, smoke, water, or mold. That includes dry clean only and delicate items, since CRDN's process covers both laundry and drycleaning. If a fabric can't be safely restored, you'll know before anything is thrown away, and it is documented for your insurance claim.
Should I wash my smoke-damaged clothes before you get there?
It's better to wait. Washing smoky clothes before they are deodorized can leave the odor locked in the fabric, and your insurance adjuster may need to see damaged items before anything is cleaned or thrown out. Set aside only what you need right away, and leave the rest where it is until our team packs it up.
Can you save clothes that got wet or moldy?
Often, yes, especially when they are handled quickly. Wet fabric can start to mildew within days, so the sooner damp clothes and linens leave the house, the better the odds. CRDN restores textiles damaged by water and mold as well as fire and smoke, and our team packs out the affected items so cleaning can begin.
Will my insurance pay for textile restoration?
If your policy includes personal property coverage, textile restoration is usually part of the claim. Cleaning your clothes typically costs less than replacing them, which is why insurers support it. Our claim specialists help you file and work with your adjuster, and every item is logged on a detailed inventory. Coverage limits and deductibles vary, so check your own policy.
What happens to clothes that can't be saved?
Anything too damaged to restore is removed and documented item by item. That record matters, because your insurance company needs proof of what was lost before it can reimburse you. You won't have to sort through ruined clothes yourself or try to remember everything that was thrown away.
Locally owned and operated by Jeff Sitz and Brian Rick from our Akron office at 1477 Copley Rd.