Drycleaning cost - reaslistic or exhorbitant?

Does anyone else find the cost of dry cleaning to be a bit unrealistic? I took two dresses in yesterday and they charge $18 per dress. I was shocked and said so. It costs $14 I think for a men's suit. These were sleeveless dresses without any adornment.

I am seriously considering machine washing them on the hand wash cycle in cold water next time. One of the dresses was on sale for 50% off so the dress was only about $70.

13 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from Sheila

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if this is the case with Canada, but in the US dry cleaning costs are expected to increase. Most wire dry cleaner hangers are made in Vietnam and there was a huge trade dispute between the US and Vietnam. If I remember correctly there was some keruffle over subsidies by the Vietnamese government.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I only dry clean perhaps once per year. I think it's ridiculous and 99% of what I wear must be machine washable. I dry cleaned my mod silk shift (sleeveless like you mentioned) and it was $13 even in FL where everything seems cheaper. Crazy.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I've noticed dry cleaning costs increasing quite regularly over the last year. It's getting to the point where you really have to factor in that cost when purchasing a clothing item. I'm tempted to try the Dryel products that have been discussed here. Have you ever tried Dryel Dianthus?

13 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

So it isn't just me that thinks this is a bit on the outrageous side.

Shannon, I did try dryel a number of years ago and still have some of the product. I seem to have lost the bag that goes with it though. I think the product worked really well for freshening garments that had been worn a few times but didn't have any spots. I may look around and see if I can find it again.

I have washed many dry clean only items on the hand wash cycle with great success. I usually do it because I am horrible at remembering to drop off and pick up clothes and if I don't wash them, some favorites languish unworn.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think Dryel now also has a spot remover you can use to get actual stains out. I too have washed many dry clean only items with success - but I've also had a few I've ruined so am always a little leery.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Funny, I was thinking about this this morning. I am investing more in my wardrobe and reluctant to ruin any of my favourites by hand washing. So, I have been dry-cleaning more. I took 2 dresses and 3 pair of pants and it was almost $90, in Ontario.

My other pet peeve is taking button downs,which are basically a mens dress shirt and being charged $11 when my husband pays $3. The store's argument was that it doesn't fit their machine and has to be pressed by hand...makes my head pop off

13 years ago

Anonymous

I got concerned about all the toxic chemicals used in dry cleaning, so I started going to an eco-cleaner that does "wet cleaning." They've done my silk dresses with no problem. The only downside is the cost is comparable to dry cleaning, although the one in my town does offer free pickup and delivery.

Here's some info if anyone is interested:

http://ecocleanaustin.com/

13 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

A fellow I work with told me about the price differential of dry cleaning costs between his pricey suburb and what was charged in Chinatown; it was something like a 40% difference. You may want to check prices at various places, keeping in mind that sometimes or for some things you get what you pay for.

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am seriously considering Dryel too. Dianthus, did you buy yours online or there is a Canadian store which sells it?
I do a lot of hand washing for items which say dry clean without problem but there are some I have to dry clean:
- all coats and jackets. I may try to hand wash a knit jacket to see if it will work but all wool jackets are going to dry clean. It is good that they are not worn on the bare body so I get by with cleaning them once a year;
- Martin skinny trousers. I hand washed a grey pair and they shrunk. Now I am splurging on dry clean for a black pair. They are a great fit for me and it is hard to find non-denim, skinny pants to fit my body so I bite the bullet.
- I need to dry clean my Donna Morgan cranberry dress because of the sun ray pleated skirt. I have hand washed the bodice though without a problem and luckily skirt does not require a frequent cleaning.
And the dry clean cost is crazy: I cleaned one coat and one pair of trousers for $34!

13 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Sveta I bought it so long ago that I don't recall where it was from. I did a quick search and there is an online retailer that sells the starter kit and refills with free shipping in Canada. Not sure how this compares to the price in stores but it seems to be about the same as dry cleaning one dress in Winnipeg

http://well.ca/searchresult.ht.....word=dryel

London Drugs has it online too at much lower prices but not sure about shipping or if they sell it in the stores too. If I am at the mall in the next few days, I will check and let you know.

http://search.londondrugs.com/results.aspx?k=dryel

13 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

I hate the way dry cleaning cuts into my budget. I only do it for formal dresses, suit pieces, and wool winter coats. For Everything else I use the gentle cycle and press myself. My machine has no agitator and does a super gentle cycle.

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Dianthus, thanks!

13 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

Wow that seems expensive! I don't think our drycleaning $$ run that high here in Seattle, but I do not own any designer-quality clothing and so perhaps the items I take to the dry cleaners don't merit the higher prices. I take sweaters, nice slacks, jackets, coats, etc.

13 years ago

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