Finding an efficient dry cleaner close to where you live is one of your best clothing investments. A good dry cleaner saves you time and enhances your clothing’s life through correct cleaning. If you come across a trusted cleaner in your area, you can have your best clothing care partner. So if you are wondering ‘how to find a dry cleaner near me,’ read further.
1. Enquire about the place of the actual cleaning
There are usually two types of dry cleaners – dry stores with a dry cleaning plant and package stores with an on-site cleaning provision.
Dry Stores – The professionals transport the clothes to a remote location to clean.
You should ask:
How many dry stores the central plant is servicing?
If the plant services dry stores of only that chain or others in the area?
You have to know the answers to these questions as large plants tend to be less costly and are efficient in completing their work as soon as possible.
Package stores – If you are looking for personalized attention to your clothes and the best results, you can go to package stores. They have their equipment and clean garments on-site. They are small operators with personnel who can answer your concerns regarding fabric care and listen to you in case you have anything specific to mention regarding your clothes.
2. Gather information about the dry cleaning solvent used by the cleaner
Various types of dry cleaning techniques and solvents are available on the market. Make sure that the cleaner uses freshly distilled and purified fluids. Some cleaners recirculate their cleaning fluids, which redeposit dirt from previous loads to your load.
3. Ask about the average cost for cleaning the items
Try to get an idea about the costs of dresses, slacks, suits, and sweaters. Ask if they have separate charges for men’s and women’s clothes.
4. Do they have pick-up and delivery?
If you can pay a little more for the pick-up and delivery service, you may save a lot of time. Enquire if they collect and deliver clothes in your area.
5. Talk to friends and neighbors
Have a word with your friends to know their experiences with the local dry cleaners. If they had a bad experience, they could help you avoid a world of trouble. You can also talk to colleagues and your neighbors who wear crisp clothes every day. You will find a couple of dry cleaning shops’ names repeatedly emerging in the conversations. You may also check online reviews for recommendations.
6. Ask about professional affiliations and certifications
Prior to turning over your favorite dress to the attendant, ask if they have a certified professional dry cleaner. There are professional certifications for wet cleaning, environmental dry cleaning, and dry cleaning. Certifications prove that the cleaning agency hires experts who take their work seriously.
You may also try to learn if the cleaner is affiliated with a professional association. These groups train members to adhere to certain ethics while dealing with customers.
7. Take a note of the professionalism of employees
When you hand over the clothes to the front desk clerk, does she/he inspect the garments and ask about stains? If they do not, it means they are indifferent, and you should go to another cleaner.
Professional dry-cleaning agencies have a fabric care professional who can answer your queries and provide advice.
Now you can stop thinking, ‘how do I get a dry cleaner near me?’ But when you zero in on an agency, you too should act responsibly. Make sure to carry the clothes to them as soon as you see the stains. And, if possible, take time to point them out.
