Cleaning & Organizing Laundry

How to Find the Best Dry Cleaner Near You

6 things to consider when choosing a dry cleaner

White and blue shirts at a dry cleaners
JAVIER LARRAONDO / Getty Images

Finding the best dry cleaners near you is one of the most important clothing investments you can make that will save you money long-term. Great dry cleaners will help extend the life of your expensive, good-quality clothing by cleaning items correctly each time.

Use these tips to discover how to find the best dry cleaners near you.

  • 01 of 06

    Drop in and Ask Some Questions

    Dry Cleaning Neon Sign

    Bill Boch / Getty Images

    Before you settle on the shop that will be your dry cleaner of choice, you should start by asking these six questions:

    1. Where Is the Actual Cleaning Done?

    Most dry cleaners in the United States fall into one of two types: dry stores with a central dry cleaning plant or package stores that do the cleaning on-site.

    A dry store is just a drop-off. The clothes are transported to a remote location for cleaning. Ask how many dry stores feed into the central plant. Large plants aim to control costs, increase efficiency, and turn things around as quickly as possible. Your clothes may not get personalized attention and you won't get the best results for your dollar.

    The package stores own their equipment and do the cleaning on-site. These cleaners tend to be smaller operations and have personnel who can answer questions about fabric care and listen to your clothing concerns.

    2. What Type of Equipment Is Used for Pressing?

    Garment pressing can be done by hand or by a machine. Machine pressing is often done by simply blowing hot steam through a garment to remove large wrinkles. The force of the steam can be harsh and cause garments to lose their shape. Machine pressing does not create crisp edges and seams where desired.

    Hand pressing is best for delicate fabrics, especially those with embellishments like beading or sequins

    3. How Is Responsibility for Damaged Garments Handled?

    Every dry cleaner makes mistakes, but you should ask in advance who will be responsible for damaged items and how claims are handled. Ask what happens if a garment is lost. A reputable cleaner should compensate you for the value of the item.

    4. What Is the Average Cost of Cleaning a Garment?

    Ask about prices for a dress, suit, slacks, and sweater. Is there a different charge for a man's suit versus a woman's suit? Is wet cleaning priced by the pound or by the item?

    5. Does the Shop Offer Pick-Up and Delivery?

    Time is valuable and paying a bit extra for the service of pick-up and delivery may be worth it to make your life simpler. Ask about the service area to be sure it fits your work and home schedule.

    6. Can I Have My Items Dry-Cleaned On the Same Day?

    There may be a time when you have a dry-cleaning emergency that requires a rush job. Though it may cost extra, it pays to be able to count on a dry cleaner that can prepare clothing or garments on the day of a special event.

  • 02 of 06

    Seek Specialty Cleaners When Necessary

    Some high-end dry cleaners are known for how well they handle delicate items like wedding dresses with care, while others may be more affordable for daily items like suits, comforters, jackets, and more. Here are other specialty items you may have in your wardrobe or home textiles collection that may require specific expertise and care:

    • Vintage materials
    • Silk
    • Wool
    • Cashmere
    • Sheer fabrics
    • Netting or mesh textiles
    • Heavily embroidered or appliqued pieces
    • Sequined and beaded items
    • Prom and other formal wear
  • 03 of 06

    Determine Which Dry-Cleaning Solvents Are Used

    You should know what kind of dry cleaning solvent the cleaner uses. There are different kinds of cleaning solvents and techniques, some more environmentally safe than others. Some dry cleaners also recirculate their cleaning fluids, which means dirt from previous loads can be redeposited. Ask your cleaner if they use freshly purified or freshly distilled fluids with every run.

    Care Labels

    Different clothing care labels have laundry symbols that indicate which dry-cleaning solvents should be used or whether the item should be dry cleaned at all. There are several care labeling systems globally and here's a quick reference guide for the American care labeling system:

    • Empty circle: An empty circle on the care label means that the item should be dry cleaned.
    • Circle with "X": The item should not be dry cleaned.
    • "A": A circle with an "A" on the care label means that the item is dry-clean-only and any solvent can be used.
    • "F": A circle with an "F" on the care label means that the item is dry-clean-only and a petroleum solvent must be used for this process.
    • "P": A circle with a "P" on the care label means that professional dry cleaning is recommended in any solvent except trichloroethylene.
  • 04 of 06

    Recommendations and Word-of-Mouth

    Woman with Dry Cleaning

    Paul Simcock / Getty Images

    Good and bad news travels fast. Listen to word-of-mouth experiences about local dry cleaners. Your friends can help you avoid a world of trouble. If they’ve had a bad experience with a dry cleaner, they’re probably not the only one.

    Also, ask several people at work or in your neighborhood who always look sharp and you’ll soon hear a certain dry cleaning shop’s name rise to the top. Check online reviews and local consumer protection bureaus for recommendations. 

    Continue to 5 of 6 below
  • 05 of 06

    Ask About Professional Certifications and Affiliations

    Green Dry Cleaning

    Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

    Before you turn over your favorite dress to the front counter attendant, ask if there is a certified professional dry cleaner on staff. The attendant may not know, but you should then ask the manager on duty.

    There are professional certifications for environmental dry cleaning, wet cleaning, and dry cleaning. The certifications show that the dry cleaner hires professionals who take their craft seriously.

    Also ask if the dry cleaner is affiliated with a professional association, such as the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute or the International Fabricare Institute. These groups offer ongoing training and members are asked to follow specific customer service and ethical standards.

  • 06 of 06

    Observe Employee Professionalism

    Dry Cleaning Clerk

    sturti / Getty Images

    When you enter the cleaner, is the person who greets you at the front counter helpful? A good dry cleaner inspects the garments carefully and asks about stains and special care and should not act indifferent to your concerns.

    Is there a fabric care professional on-site who can answer your questions and offer advice? 

    Of course, you have some responsibilities as well in getting the best results from a cleaner. Bring in clothes as soon as possible after a stain occurs. Take time to point out stains and identify them, if possible. Even the best cleaner is not a mind reader.

FAQ
  • What items should always be dry cleaned?

    Materials such as silk, suede, wool, velvet, and taffeta should always be dry cleaned. As for other items, you'll want to take lined jackets, vintage garments, and items with beadwork and lace to the pros as well.

  • What's the difference between dry cleaning and wet cleaning?

    Dry cleaning involves cleaning garments without the use of any water or liquid, whereas wet cleaning uses water and gentle detergent to remove stains and odors.

  • Does dry cleaning remove stains?

    Yes, dry cleaning can remove stains as strong solvents are used as opposed to water. It is helpful to take the garment to a professional as soon as possible and inform them what the stain is before it has a chance to set in.

  • Can I ever wash "dry clean" only items at home?

    Items that are marked "dry clean only" should be taken to a professional and never washed in the washing machine or by hand, as these items are not meant to come in contact with water. However, with the help of a dry cleaning kit, you can perform dry cleaning at home for items that say "dry clean" or "dry clean recommended."

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  1. Care Labels. Coats.