Finding a reputable and good dry cleaner in your area saves you money and is one of the best clothing investments you can do. Good quality clothes are expensive and we want them to last as long as possible.
The problem is, most expensive materials require specific cleaning. Often times, it is dry cleaning. When you find a good dry cleaning company, you’ve found your clothing care partner.
There’s a lot more to finding a good dry cleaner than simply driving over to the closest store to your location. Read on to find out how to find the best dry cleaning company.
Ask the Right Questions
There are many factors that may help you decide on one establishment over the other. Before you settle on a dry cleaner, you should start by asking some of the below questions:
Where is the actual cleaning done?
Most dry cleaners in the United States fall into one of two categories. There are dry stores that send the clothing out to a central dry cleaning plant. Then there are dry cleaning companies that do the cleaning on-site.
A dry store is just a drop-off location. The clothes are then moved to a remote location for the actual cleaning. If the store you are at is a dry store, ask how many dry stores feed into the central plant.
Is the central plant servicing only that chain of dry cleaners or are they servicing others in the area? If the central plant services a lot of different businesses, your clothes may not get personalized attention. The cleaning will also not be as detailed.
The dry cleaning stores who own their own equipment and do the cleaning on-site tend to be smaller, possibly family-run operations. These smaller businesses can usually provide a more personalized experience.
What kind of dry cleaning solvent does the cleaner use?
There are many different kinds of cleaning solvents and techniques. Some of those solvents are more environmentally friendly than others. For those people who place environmental friendly practices high on their priority list, this is definitely a question you will want to ask.
What type of equipment is used for pressing?
There are many different ways to press clothing. Garment pressing can be done by hand or by a machine. Machine pressing is done by blowing hot steam through an article of clothing to remove wrinkles.
The force of the steam from machine pressing can be quite harsh and cause garments to lose their shape. Machine pressing also does not create crisp edges and seams for most materials.
That is why hand pressing is preferred for delicate fabrics. If your clothing has embroidery or embellishments on it, hand pressing is definitely the best choice. This ensures that a human will be aware of the different fragile pieces and work around them.
What happens if there are damaged garments?
Mistakes happen. But asking in advance who will be responsible for damaged items and how claims are handled will ensure that there is no confusion if a mishap happens.
You should also ask what happens if a garment is lost. A reputable dry cleaning company will usually compensate you for the value of the item if it is lost while it is in their care.
Experience and Reviews
A dry cleaning company with years of experience usually ensures that you will have a great experience. If a company has been around for a long time, it means that they have been successful enough to sustain their business.
Reviews are also extremely helpful and can help you gain insight into what type of experience you will be in for. Finding a new dry cleaner with quality service and solid reviews can be done with a simple online search through services like online classifieds.
Recommendations and Word of Mouth
Recommendations and word of mouth are some of the best ways to find a quality business. If someone you know recommends a dry cleaning company they use, it is probably a safe bet that you will have a great experience.
According to studies from Nielson Global Trust, the most credible form of advertising comes straight from people we know. 83% of people say they trust the recommendations of friends and family.
Nothing is more valuable than hearing a recommendation from someone who has experienced the business first-hand. Another great tip is to ask people at work or in your neighborhood who always look great. You will probably hear a particular dry cleaner’s name rise to the top.
Professional Certifications and Affiliations
Dry cleaning companies can apply for professional certifications and affiliations. There are professional certifications for environmental dry cleaning, as well as standard wet and dry cleaning. The certifications ensure that the business hires professionals who take their craft seriously.
There are also professional associations such as the Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute or the International Fabricare Institute. These associations offer ongoing training and members are expected to follow specific ethical standards.
Having a professional take care of your clothing also ensures that they will be able to take care of whatever garment treatment you need. For example, if you need a custom iron-on patch, a fabric professional will be able to advise you on any fabric choices or location.
Customer Service
Good customer service is the cornerstone of any successful business. When leaving your expensive clothing or that important interview outfit, you want to be put at ease that your garments will be well taken care of.
A reputable dry cleaning company should have a fabric care professional on-site who can answer your questions and offer advice. They should also inspect your clothing prior to cleaning to ensure that all stains and damages have been properly documented.
Great customer service is the best way to establish regular customers and word of mouth referrals. Developing a great reputation takes time and consistency, so always value a business with a great reputation.
Pricing and Turnaround
Pricing and turnaround times are probably a big part of your decision when trying to find the right dry cleaning company for you. You should always know the total price before you leave the store.
Some places have quicker turnaround times then other places, especially if they clean on-site. Some garments will take more time to be cleaned depending on the type of fabric. Make sure you always check any additional costs and turnaround times.
Ready to Find the Best Dry Cleaning Company?
There are many things that make one dry cleaner different from another. Great customer service, competitive pricing, experience, and quality of products are just some of the things you want to consider before choosing a dry cleaner to bring your business.
Other factors such as turnaround time and environmentally conscious choices may also be important factors for you. Doing your research beforehand will ensure that you choose a business that you are comfortable and happy with.
Check us out for more information on how you can find a business or service to suit your needs.