Why we still use acid-free tissue

People often ask why we still bother with all the folding and tissue wrapping when everyone else just chucks things on hangers in plastic.

The short answer? Because it works.

But the real answer goes a bit deeper into the fabric of who we are (literally).

Doing things properly since 1963

When Peter Grist opened the first Peters’ Cleaners back in the 60s, dry cleaning was a craft. Clothes weren’t just dropped off and forgotten about, they were treated with care, handled by experts, and returned in a way that made people proud to wear them again.

That mindset never left us. Over the years, as others have cut corners - swapping pressing for steaming, paper for plastic, and quality for speed - we’ve held onto the details that make a difference.

Folding and wrapping each item in acid-free tissue is one of them.

What’s the deal with acid-free tissue?

Acid-free tissue might sound like something from a stationery aisle, but it’s actually one of the quietest revolutions in fabric care. The “acid-free” bit means it won’t cause yellowing or chemical damage over time, something ordinary paper (or heaven forbid, plastic) can do when it reacts with moisture or heat.

It also helps prevent creases setting in, absorbs excess humidity, and protects embellishments or delicate fibres from friction in transit. It’s what museums use to store antique textiles and couture houses use to preserve gowns worth more than most people’s cars.

So yes, it’s fancy but it’s fancy for a reason. And while your favourite shirt might not be a Dior original, we still think it deserves the same level of care.

More time, more tissue, more love

We’re the first to admit it’s not the quickest method. Folding, layering, wrapping and boxing each order takes time. The workshop sometimes looks like a Christmas wrapping station gone rogue. But we do it because it’s part of what makes a Peters’ order feel special.

It’s not just about protection; it’s about presentation. Opening that box and finding your clothes perfectly folded, beautifully pressed, and cushioned in crisp white tissue... it’s a small moment of joy. A pause before real life rushes back in.

That moment matters to us.

A cleaner clean without the plastic

There’s another reason, too. We’ve worked hard to reduce unnecessary plastic across our business. While most dry cleaners still rely on single-use garment bags, our method means we can package and send clothing safely without the excess.

It’s neater, smarter, and better for the planet. The tissue is recyclable, and the box it arrives in can be reused and recycled (we love seeing the creative ways customers give them a second life- from toy storage to shoe boxes).

Because it works

So yes, we still fold and wrap everything by hand. Because every shirt, dress and jacket that passes through our doors deserves to be treated properly.

It’s not nostalgia. It’s not fussiness. It’s just good practice, the kind that’s kept us going for over sixty years.

When your clothes arrive looking crisp, clean, and cared for you’ll understand why we still bother.

Because it works.