A green dry cleaner is one that uses solutions other than the longtime industry standard chemical perchlorethylen (perc). The most common method of green dry cleaning uses liquid carbon dioxide as a cleaning solution.

Do all dry cleaners offer alteration services?

The majority of dry cleaners offer alteration services. However, you should not assume that any dry cleaner you walk into will offer onsite alterations or express service or other specific services. Sometimes, not all locations of a dry cleaning chain will have on-site alterations, but will send the garments out to be altered at a partner tailor. In general, it’s always best to call or drop by and inquire about services rather than just showing up with items.

How does wedding dress preservation work?

Wedding dress preservation oftentime uses special cleaning technology to clean and treat the delicate, precious materials. It starts with an assessment, and involves certain steps like spot-treating hem stains. It is also important that the cleaner use virgin solvent that has never come into contact with any impurities. Part of the treatment step involves applying a special protective coating that will safeguard the gown for long periods of time. After the gown has been cleaned and treated, it will be sealed in an airtight box. The protective coating and airtight storage should protect it from the discoloration that often happens to pale-colored garments if they hang in a closet for lengthy periods of time. Wedding dress preservation is a much more expensive process than standard dry cleaning, and may cost $500 or more.

How long does it take to get a garment dry cleaned?

It typically takes 3-4 days to get garments dry cleaned, although just to get one garment may only take 2 days, and can sometimes be express-processed for an additional fee. Certain items require careful handling and take longer--for example, if you’re dropping off a comforter, it may not be ready for 7-10 days.

What are the benefits of dry cleaning?

The benefits of dry cleaning start with the fact that the solvents used in the process are more effective and less prone to damage certain kinds of fabric than standard laundry with hot water and detergent. Dry cleaning is also better at dissolving and removing oil and grease stains, and in general removing any stain that hasn’t set in the fabric. Dry cleaning is also less prone to shrink fabric or cause it to lose color.

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Helpful Reviews

Lee Cleaners

Jacqueline p. B. rated

I received very good assistance and advice from the lady who assisted me. I will visit there again!

Malibu Cleaners

W D. rated

Disaster! I just returned home after picking up 13 shirts for cleaning. Nothing exotic...just cotton shirt. The bill was $113.00. That's nearly $10 a shirt. Not only that, when I took the shirts in I pointed out a small blood stain which they said they could remove. They didn't!! Their explanation for everything was that they do such a wonderful job, they can charge more than anyone else. The last time for me. I normally use Lee Cleaners, who do a great job. They were on vacation and I had to go to Malibu. Next time, I'll wait.