Q: I have a white cotton duvet cover that I would like to have dyed. Do you know of any dry cleaners that offer this service? Many thanks!

A: In my Smart Shopping Montreal book, on page 156, I write about this. The only store in town that I knew of is Nettoyeurs Vitalizing Cleaners on 901 Mont-Royal est. However, they will only dye 100% cotton garments like jeans, sweaters, shirts and coats. If there are any discolorations in the fabric, the only color that will dye evenly is black. Be aware that some threads won’t take the dye and there also might be a teeny bit of shrinkage.

Q: Just hoping you could please give me some advice as to where I could go concerning a broken steel clasp on a dressy little red purse. I bought it on a once in a life time trip to China. I hardly used it and now the clasp won’t shut properly when I press “in’ . Thank you for any help you could give me on this matter as to any chance of fixing it. I have not yet tried a regular shoemaker as I have been told that they won’t be able to fix it.

A: If you had looked on my website www.smartshoppingmonteal.com you would have (if you clicked on Repairmen in the upper left hand corner) come across the perfectly named (for you) Handbag Repair Company http://smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=133 It has also been in my book for 28 years.

Q: Hi Sandra, Whenever I needed buttons I always headed to the dressmaker on Decarie on the corner of Queen Mary but they have closed down. Any suggestions (hopefully besides St-Hubert St.) of where I can go for buttons. Thanks,

A: In my Smart Shopping Montreal book I have at least 2 button specialists (plus more notions stores); Rubans, Boutons, (used to be on St-Denis), 7363 St Hubert 514-847-3535. This is owned by a button aficionado who collects them from all over the world and has antique buttons too.

Rix Rax, 801 Guilford 514-522-8971. Buttons and exotic trimmings. Works a lot with theatrical productions

It’s time to take a look inside your home and freshen it up for all the time you will soon be spending inside. So if you would like to clean your drapes, window coverings , pillows or duvets –  think Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors.

No time for laundry? For busy people, they offer a wash and fold service for $1.50 lb ($3.30 kg). Whites and coloured items are washed separately – and – independently of other peoples’ clothes. There’s free pick up and delivery. The minimum order is for 10 lbs. Their Bates Rd. location even has Quebec’s first drive-thru service and a 24-hour night deposit box using VIP bags.

Would you sleep on the same sheets for 6 months? So why haven’t you ever had your pillow cleaned? They will sanitize, deodorize, clean, and fluff you pillow – and – replace the cover. Is it too difficult to remove and rehang your drapes and window coverings? They’ll send someone to do it for you so you can send them in for a cleaning along with the bedding and decorative cushions

Their Deluxe Service handles delicate garments individually:

* garments individually cleaned in virgin solvent
* buttons are removed to prevent damage
* items are hand-pressed,
* double inspection procedure
* garments are stuffed with tissue paper to preserve their form

– For garment repairs (even suede and leather), every day there are seamstresses and a changing room, so quick fixes can be sewn while you wait.
– Home or office pick-up service is available over most of the island.
– Bellingham Cleaners are the only cleaners in the province of Quebec who are certified by the worldwide Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.

TMR Location: 2655 Bates Rd, Montreal
corner: Wilderton
Tel: 514-733-4444
Hours: Mon-Wed 7:30-6:30, Thurs & Fri 7:30-7, Sat 8-5, Sun 11-5
Westmount location: 1 Westmount Square
Tel: 514-934-3353
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-6, Sat 9-5
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=167
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1dZb0Xc

Q: I need a telescopic assembly and handle (broke off) for my Swiss Gear suitcase. Where can I get parts?

A: On my web site, there’s Handbag Repair Company which has been around for years and years and certainly can help you with that. http://smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=133 They can also repair handbags, briefcases, umbrellas and zippers (even on coats).

Location: 5479 boul. Decarie Montreal, QC H3W 3C6
corner: Edouard-Montpetit
Tel: 514-486-2028

Nettoyeur Écologique Royal uses a Professional Wet Cleaning or SMART Wet Cleaning to dry clean your clothes. It is a solvent-free technology using mainly water plus 100% bio-degradable organic soaps along with state of the art washing, drying and finishing machines. No toxic ingredients are used at all.

When clothes are dry-cleaned elsewhere, stains are pre-treated and the clothing is thrown into a washing/drying machine filled with chemical solvent. About 90% of dry cleaners use the chemical solvent called PERC (perchloroethylene). Perc has been seen to damage the nervous and reproductive systems (per the U.S. EPA), and is designated a hazardous air pollutant by the Federal government. After the year 2000, in Canada, perc emission-free machines can only be installed. When used, Perc remains in your clothing.

Nettoyeur Écologique Royal Eco-cleaner can healthily clean clothing, bedspreads, curtains, duvets, pillows, table cloths and napkins, as well as area rugs and carpets.

They can clean and detail your favorite handbags and restores them to their showroom look. They can developed techniques for UGG boots too. Specializing in hockey equipment, using their German-made machines, it too can be used for soccer, baseball or other sporting gear.

The  in-house seamstress can fix wedding, evening, prom and mother-of-the-bride dresses, and almost any kind of women’s and men’s formal wear. Tailoring can be done for minor or major alterations to clothes including  zippers, lining change, leather and suede, costumes, curtains and cushions.

Nettoyeur Écologique Royal can preserve your wedding gown as a keepsake  and placed in an acid-free preservation chest (with a viewing window!).

Location: 5866 Sherbrooke St. W Montreal QC H4A  1X5
Corner: rue Clifton
Hours: Mon-Fri 7-6:30, Sat 9-5
www.nettoyeurecologiqueroyal.com
FB: http://on.fb.me/1vTG9Sc
email: clean@nettoyeurecologiqueroyal.com

8 Q: I have been searching in various places to find someone who can repair a very old book. The binding is letting go because the glue is so old and brittle.  Would you know of anyone in Montreal who has the skill to do this?

A: About 12 years ago, I had this company in my book: Reliure Vianney Belanger, 8761 Place Marien, Montreal Est Tel: 514-648-2420. I have no idea if they are still around.

Here is the web site for about a dozen 2nd hand book shops who all probably have a name of a re-binder in their little black book: www.usedbookcircle.com  Just put a question in to them and someone is “bound” to have an answer.

Play It Again Sports NDG specializes in equipment for hockey, alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer and inline skating, etc. They are experts in skate fitting, and they take pride in ensuring a proper fit for each customer.

Right now you can take advantage of their Graf skate special where prices are $100 to $200 off retail! Or you can use the coupon below for new and used items at the regular price.

For over 15 years, this shop has helped parents in the Montréal area save money on new and quality used sports equipment. You can trade-in, consign or receive a cheque for your old ski, hockey, tennis, lacrosse, ringuette, baseball, in-line skates, snowboards or soccer gear.

You also have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of new high value sporting goods. They carry all the top brands you are looking for in a wide variety of active sports – without breaking the bank. They are the first in this region to get the latest pro gear like the lightweight Total One skate.

Each season their staff is trained by Bauer®, Reebok® and Easton® equipment experts to be able to provide your budding athletes with the best possible fit in skates and gear. For a great skating experience, the staff can transform them by heat molding, contouring, doing flat bottom V, or blade and chassis replacement.

You can also buy equipment for snow sports from brands like K2®, Volkl®, Salomon®, Atomic®, Burton® and 5150®, etc. The equipment can be serviced here too: ski and snow boards can be sharpened, waxed, the base repaired, and of course, bindings installed.

Location: 2100 Boul. Decarie
corner: rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Tel: 514-484-5150
Dates of special: ends July 31

The below coupon applies on new and used items sold at the regular price only.

Le coupon ci-dessous s’applique sur les articles neufs et d’occasion vendus au prix régulier seulement.

Q: Bonjour, je suis a la recherche d’une teinture. Il y a un bon moment que je l’ai acheté, j’ai commencé a teindre un meuble et il m’en manque un petit peu j’aimerais pouvoir me procurer un contenant de 250 ml. Je ne sais pas si vous pouvez me dire ou je peux me le procurer.

A: On my web site there is a specialist in wood stains, Circa 1850 http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=138&l=fr  Les teintures et vernis Circa 1850 ont été inventés ici. Les teintures Cabot et Solignum sont ici et des autres.

This is a note written to me about, Colin Hynes of Four Season Slip Covers. I cannot say any more than this tribute:

“Hi there. You wrote some time ago about upholsterers. I was interested in the information you gave about the gentleman who came to one’s home, made a pattern, then made slipcovers elsewhere, returning to check/adjust the fit, and finally, to dress the furniture with his finished product. This winter we decided to attempt a refurbishing of an old fashioned puffy couch we bought from Roche Bobois in l983, when puffy, foam stuffed furniture was in style. The couch was so comfortable we did not wish to replace it, but the cover material had faded and was torn in two places.

We contacted Mr. Colin Hynes of Four Season Slip Covers in St-Lambert (450-465-0650). He came and was undaunted by the behemoth. He had fabric samples, one of which suited us perfectly, he gave us two estimates according to how he would attack the project, he did not try and influence us toward the more expensive one, and, generally speaking, I was impressed with his professionalism. When he returned to put the cover on the couch it was a pleasure to watch him because he is a true craftsman, and craftsmen are hard to find nowadays. The couch again reigns supreme in our living room and is probably good for another 30 years.

The words that come to mind when I think of Mr Hynes is professional, a craftsman, integrity.

And so we are grateful to you for the information you published in your Smart Shopping book and site.”

Tel: 450-465-0650