Remember that treasured stuffed toy or blanket that brought joy and comfort to your childhood, even after it looked a bit worse for wear?
For Emily Pribisco of St. Augustine, that cherished item is Puff, a large, purple, stuffed hippo. Puff was a gift from Emily’s parents on her fourth birthday, presented during a memorable vacation on Hilton Head Island.
“She instantly became my favorite out of tons of stuffed animals and has seen a lot of life,” says Emily. “My kids now love her just as much as I do, and she has gone on many family trips.”
Needless to say, 40 years is a long life for a much-loved, much-traveled stuffie. Recently, Emily was reading a bedtime story to her kids when they began discussing Puff’s sorry state of affairs.
“They felt sad that Puff’s leg was being held together by a thread, and a safety pin was keeping her stuffing in her body. They said she could use a trip to the doctor’s office,” Emily recalls.
Emily brought Puff to Oceanside Cleaners, where owner Mike Harris performed a quick “check up” and assured Emily his staff could save the patient.
“He gushed over Puff and made us feel like he genuinely cared about her. It was a no-brainer to trust Puff in the hands of Oceanside Cleaners for a cleaning and mending,” says Emily.
Oceanside takes great care when cleaning heirloom items such as stuffed animals, antique table linens or quilts, and embroidered decor. The staff does a thorough inspection and takes time to protect any vulnerable areas or delicate embellishments. Then comes gentle cleaning using either wet- or dry-cleaning, depending on the item, and finishing/pressing when appropriate. Oceanside’s skilled tailors can also perform many types of repairs to reattach or fortify damaged areas.
When Emily and her children came to Oceanside to pick up Puff, they were amazed at the transformation. The children hugged Puff the entire way home.
“The cosmetic procedure took 30 years off her look. She looks like Puff from the glory days again!” says Emily.
If you have a special heirloom that needs reviving, consider using Oceanside. Our careful process and highly trained staff can bring new life to the items you want to enjoy now, and pass along in the future. Stop by for a free assessment.