keeping tidy

[Gary F]

Steve,

Your excellent site states that is no problem finding laundry services on the island.

But is there anywhere (outside hotels) that you can get your dry cleaning done?

(just bought a lovely pair of M&S baggy linen trousers - but forgot to check the label until just now - "dryclean only"!)

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Gary

You've got me there, to be honest.

My trusty Tobago Yellow Pages has no listing for 'Dry Cleaners' but under 'Laundries', one of the two listings is for 'Tobiki Dry Cleaners & Launderers'. l don't recognise the address and imagine its in Scarborough. The other listing is for a laundry in Canaan, which would be handy.

Anyway, fear not. I've fired off a question to contacts on the island and we'll get you a definitive answer soon.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Gary

I am reliably informed that "dry cleaning" is something else on Tobago and all items requiring 'proper' dry cleaning are sent to Trinidad - with a turnaround of up to 10 days.

You'll just have to make sure you don't spill your rum punch!

[Gary F]

Once again many thanks - I think the Tobago tourism authorities ought to have you knighted.

(Or maybe just a life-times supply of your favouite rum punch!)

[Julia C.]

(just bought a lovely pair of M&S baggy linen trousers - but forgot to check the label until just now - "dryclean only"!)

A lot of clothes labels say "dry clean only" when in fact it is perfectly safe to wash them. If they get really dirty you'll probably get away with giving them a gentle handwash in tepid water and line dry out of the sun. The manufacturers or retailers do this to protect themselves from complaints from over zealous washers.

(Having given this advice I take no responsiblity for any damage caused to any clothes!)

[Paul Tallet]

Oh hell ... has no one in this forum any idea how to keep a pair of trousers dry-cleaned and freshly pressed?

OK Gary ... here is the word ... I wear suits everyday and I dry clean them myself.


1. You need an Iron (preferably hot !!!)

2. You need a cloth or rag ... cotton pyjamas are perfect.

3. You need pure water ... nothing magical ... Wet the cloth with the water and lay it over the target area for ironing.

4. If you have an ironing board ... great ... otherwise use a table and cover it with your beach towel.

4. Carefully lay 'target' trousers over the table/ironing board, making sure all the creases are in the right place.

5. Apply the iron evenly to the 'target' trousers and place additional pressure on the creases.

6. After each ironing exertion, remove the cloth and allow the steam from the damp trousers to evaporate before applying the iron to the next section of 'target' Trousers.

7. On completion ... hang trousers on a hanger in readiness for the next wear.


Bet you will look absolutely FAB !!

Regards

[Tracey Harrison]

But Paul, and forgive me if I'm being a might fastidious, simply ironing your trousers won't get rid of any dirt and never getting them properly cleaned will result in them getting smelly!

[Steve Wooler]

Aah, but you're missing the point, Tracey. As all men know, if you get a garment really hot and dry, the compacted dirt will simply crack, crumble and fall off. That's why Paul doesn't need to take much luggage on his holidays to Tobago. There's no need for a big stock of undergarments - the pair he's wearing are quite enough as long as he gives them a good going-over with a hot iron every other day.

[Paul Tallet]

Yes ... quite true.

I have also found it helpful to remove the trousers before I start ironing them.

I hope this helps

Regards

[Tracey Harrison]

Just thought of a new solution for keeping the mozzies and sandflies away - Paul's underwear! You going to be there end of August, Paul? If so, please perch yourself somewhere around Crown Point.

[David Watkins]

Yuccch,perish the thought!!!

[Paul Tallet]

Erm ... Ladies and Gentlemen

I believe that this thread started out as an informative and constructive debate on the maintenance and care of one's trousers ... ?

Not sure how the subject of underpants and the link to sandfly repellent came into it

There aren'y any sandflies in Crown Point anyway ... not to my knowledge.

Regards

[Tracey Harrison]

That's right - and now we know why!!

[Paul Tallet]

I see ...

[Tracey Harrison]

Aww sorry Paul. I don't know you yet feel I can insult you!!

[Paul Tallet]

Far from it Tracey

I am trying to work out if you are planning to use me as a decoy in Castara where I attract all the sandflies away from Crown Point.

There seems to be little logic in your suggestion that I should frequent the Crown Point area in my underpants to repel sandflies ... sandflies actually like me but the 'underpants theory' in relation to the attraction that sandflies have for me has not, until now, crossed my mind.

I will of course consider this more ... but I wonder if we could now return to the far more interesting subject of trousers.

Regards

[Cornelia Montgomery]

Perhaps Paul's unmentionables should be marketed on the auction as a no-see-um repellant?

[Cornelia Montgomery]

To be fair, I think Paul's method is good for removing stains from wool.

[Tracey Harrison]

I think you ought to research this, Paul! Maybe your research methods should consist of wearing fresh underwear, day old, week old, and so on! Also, try different brands and age of said underwear!

You see, you thought it was your blood or something that made you attractive to sand fly. Isn't it so lucky we have this forum so we can have our minds opened to other ideas and suggestions!!??

Whilst doing your research though, please don't stand too close the the small beach at Coco Reef!

[Tracey Harrison]

Cornelia, I think there's legs in your idea (so to speak). Perhaps we could contact a pharmaceutical organisation or do we want this to be a natural, organic product??!!