Benefits of Outsourcing Textile Restoration

Renewal Claim Solutions · Why Soft Goods Restoration Should Be Outsourced, Not Handled In-House

When property losses occur, restoration contractors are usually the first on the scene — securing the site, assessing the damage, and planning the recovery process.

Handling soft goods like clothing, bedding, and textiles seems straightforward at first. Why not just clean these items in-house? Isn’t it easier and cheaper?

In reality, soft goods restoration is a complex, specialized process that carries major risks if mishandled.

Here’s why smart contractors outsource textile restoration to trusted specialists — and why trying to do it yourself could cost you far more than you expect.

The Hidden Risks of In-House Soft Goods Handling

Soft goods restoration is not like cleaning hard surfaces.

Without proper systems, equipment, and expertise, restoration contractors risk:

Cross-contamination: Spreading soot, mold, or biohazards to unaffected garments.
Permanent textile damage: Using improper cleaning techniques can ruin valuable or sentimental items.
Liability exposure: Improper handling could lead to insurance disputes, legal action, or claims denial.
Customer dissatisfaction: Slow turnarounds and damaged garments hurt the contractor’s reputation.

The stakes are high — and so are the costs of getting it wrong.

Specialized Equipment and Techniques Matter

Professional textile restoration requires specialized tools not found in typical cleaning setups, including:

Ozone chambers to neutralize smoke odors deep in fibers
Hydrocarbon dry cleaning systems for delicate textiles
pH-balanced washing techniques to preserve fabrics
HEPA filtration dryers to prevent recontamination during drying
Customized detergent requests to accommodate clients with allergies or special needs

Without these resources, restoring textiles properly is virtually impossible.

Managing Chain-of-Custody: A Critical Step

Insurance carriers expect clear, defensible documentation for contents claims — especially textiles.

Professional textile partners offer:

Barcode tracking of each item
Photo documentation before and after restoration
Condition reports and restorable status assessments

Trying to manage this documentation in-house stretches contractor teams thin and increases errors.

Faster Turnaround and ALE Reduction

Quick restoration of clothing and textiles dramatically reduces Additional Living Expenses (ALE) for policyholders.

Specialist textile companies prioritize:

Emergency garment services (returning key clothing within 24–48 hours)
Complete textile recovery for non-emergency items

Contractors that outsource textiles can promise — and deliver — faster total claim resolution.

Why “DIY” Soft Goods Departments Often Fail

Restoration companies sometimes try to build internal soft goods teams.

Common pitfalls include:

High staff turnover due to the specialized nature of the work
Inconsistent quality control
Lack of scale to justify investment in proper equipment
Training gaps leading to costly mistakes

Very few restoration contractors achieve sustainable, profitable soft goods departments without outsourcing.

Real-World: Outsourcing Wins

After struggling with inconsistent results and customer complaints, one major restoration contractor outsourced their soft goods work to Renewal Claim Solutions: