Compared to regular laundry service, dry cleaning isn’t exactly a household routine for most folks. Ask around, and you’ll hear the same questions: Is it really that different from washing at home? Do I have to go every week? Won’t it cost a fortune?
That confusion is exactly why we put together this guide. It’s not about making you an expert overnight. It’s about informing you enough to feel comfortable and educated. Let’s walk through how it all comes together.
If you’ve never stepped foot inside a dry cleaner before, the entire process can be a mystery. You drop off your clothes, and a few days later, they come back spotless and crisp — but what happens in between?
Dry cleaning doesn’t use water like regular laundry, which is why it’s ideal for fabrics that are sensitive to heat, moisture, or agitation. Instead, it relies on liquid solvents and highly specialized machines to remove stains and freshen garments without shrinking, fading, or damaging them.
Understanding the process can help you feel more confident and know what to expect when using a cleaner for the first time.
Every item is inspected for stains, tears, missing buttons, or special instructions. Then it’s tagged with a unique identifier that links it directly to your account. This step ensures accurate tracking and personalized care throughout the entire cleaning process. Cleaners also take this time to note fabric types and garment details that may require extra attention.
Before the clothes are cleaned, any noticeable stains are pretreated with specific stain removers. This is often done by hand using targeted solutions based on the type of stain (e.g., oil, wine, ink, etc.) and fabric.
Clothes go into a machine that looks like a front-loading washer, but instead of water, it uses a specialized cleaning solvent. Most modern cleaners use environmentally friendly options, such as liquid CO₂ or silicone-based solvents, which are gentler on fabrics and better for the environment than traditional perchloroethylene.
After cleaning, the solvent is extracted and stored, while the clothes go through a gentle drying process inside the same machine. This helps prevent shrinkage or warping.
Once clean, items are steamed, ironed, or pressed depending on their fabric and construction. Then everything is given a final inspection to ensure it meets quality standards before it's bagged and ready for pickup.
Many first-time users aren’t sure when to turn to a professional versus just tossing it into the washing machine. As a general rule, dry cleaning should be used when a garment’s care label recommends it, or when the item is made of delicate, structured, or specialty fabric.
Certain materials, like silk and wool, can become misshapen or damaged with water-based washing. Additionally, some stains are best removed with solvents instead of detergent and water.
Knowing when to seek out a dry cleaner can help you protect your wardrobe and avoid common at-home mishaps. Here are key reasons to skip the washer and head to your nearest cleaner:
This is a warning. Manufacturers label garments this way when water or heat could ruin the fabric, color, or construction. If you ignore it, you risk shrinking, distorting, or permanently damaging your clothes.
Materials like silk, velvet, lace, satin, wool, and cashmere often require professional care. These fabrics can easily fade, stretch, or lose their texture in a home washer or dryer. Dry cleaning helps preserve their original finish and feel.
Tailored suits, pleated skirts, lined jackets, or items with beadwork or sequins benefit from dry cleaning because the process helps maintain shape and construction. Water and spin cycles can warp the structure or loosen embellishments.
Grease, makeup, or ink stains often respond better to solvents rather than water. If you try to scrub these stains at home, you may end up setting them deeper into the fabric.
It’s easy to assume that only suits and formalwear require dry cleaning, but that’s just the beginning. While some clothing can survive a gentle machine wash, others lose their color, texture, or shape when handled the wrong way.
If you’re building a wardrobe of quality pieces, or already have one, learning which items belong at the dry cleaner is a smart move. This way, you’ll get more wear out of each piece without compromising its appearance.
Below is a practical list of clothing types that are typically better off in the hands of a professional cleaner, especially if you want to keep them looking sharp and lasting longer:
These are structured garments with linings, interfacing, and specific tailoring that can easily be distorted in a washer. Dry cleaning helps maintain the crisp lines and fit of your suits without wrinkling or shrinking.
While many cotton or poly-cotton shirts can be laundered and pressed by your local cleaner, silk, linen, or high-thread-count shirts often do better with dry cleaning. Ask your cleaner which method they use; it may vary based on the shirt material.
Evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or even day dresses with pleats, layers, or delicate fabric usually call for dry cleaning. It protects the color, preserves the shape, and keeps embellishments intact.
Outerwear made of wool, cashmere, or other structured materials should be professionally cleaned to prevent shrinkage and maintain the integrity of the fabric. Most cleaners recommend doing this seasonally, at the start and end of winter.
If your bottoms are lined or pleated, the heat and agitation of a washer can distort their shape. Dry cleaning preserves the drape and prevents uneven wear on inner materials.
Accessories made of silk, cashmere, or wool are prone to fraying or shrinking if not cleaned correctly. A professional cleaner can remove oils and buildup without damaging the fibers.
If you’re ever unsure, a good rule is this: when in doubt, ask your cleaner. Most local dry cleaners are more than happy to advise you, and many even offer consultations for first-timers.
Your washing machine isn’t built for everything in your wardrobe, especially not your silks, wools, or embellished pieces. These delicate garments deserve the specialized care that only professional dry cleaning can offer.
At Best Cleaners, we combine advanced technology with a seven-point inspection process to ensure every item is returned looking its best: clean, crisp, and ready to wear. And if your clothing needs a little extra love, like a missing button or torn hem, just let us know at drop-off or in the app, and we’ll take care of it.
We’re more than just your local dry cleaners. We’re committed to doing things the right way. That’s why Best Cleaners proudly leads the region in environmentally friendly practices, using only hypoallergenic, unscented products and eco-conscious technology. Whether you need cleaning for a formal gown, pressed shirts, or everyday pieces, our expert team is ready to serve you with care, precision, and real-time convenience through our mobile app.
Schedule your free Pickup and Delivery Service today, and experience dry cleaning made simple. You’ll never look at garment care the same way again. Call us at 518-458-2378.
