How good are you about managing your dry-cleaning?

April

I am an efficient manager of dry-cleaning (for which I deserve zero credit, since our cleaner picks up and delivers twice a week) but a terrible procrastinator when it comes to tailoring.

At any given moment, are you caught up on dry-cleaning, or do you let it pile up like I do with tailoring?

4 years ago

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from April

Synne

Veteran

Not precicely what you asked about, but i don't do dry-cleaning. I toss any unwashable garments in the freezer for a couple nights, spot clean, hang outside for fresh air, vinegar and water solution etc. The one and only time I have used a proffesional cleaning service, I got my expensive silk dress back shrunken and frayed

4 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

My day-to-day garments don't get dry cleaned; DH's do, and I take his stuff in once a week.

I take my own coats and sweaters near the end of winter so they are crumb-free before I put them away. I am better at taking my newly purchased items to the tailor right away. Things I pull out of holding that need an alteration tend to sit much, much longer...

4 years ago

Helena

Veteran

All wash and wear here! Except for wool winter coats, which get taken annually for a clean. DH needs his stuff drycleaned from time to time, but he generally either does it or just asks me (I'm home so happy to do it) ... So I don't need a system to keep track.

4 years ago

Kathie

Veteran

I live 5 blocks from a bunch of dry cleaners, so I’m usually caught up on the small amount that I have. With the exception of coats, blazers, and the occasional skirt, I’m not adding any “dry clean only“ clothes to my closet. I drop it off on my walk to the train, and pick it up a week later on my way home. I’m pretty good about ironing, and try to get that caught up every couple weeks. My mending piles up, though, since I do that myself. I need a better system to keep track of extra buttons, matching yarn, etc.

4 years ago

Diana

Veteran

By nature, I am terrible at it, but in practice I’m actually ok. All credit goes to my husband, who is not only more proactive but has a lot more dry cleaning than me, because he wears suits for work on a semi-regular basis and also sometimes a tuxedo for his chorus concerts. So I usually just ask him to take mine (which is really only coats/blazers and the occasional formal dress) when he drops off and picks up his own.

4 years ago

taylor

Veteran

When I worked i had items at the cleaners on a weekly basis....everything went . Since I retired 2 years ago I haven’t been to the cleaners once. I don’t miss the weekly expense, although it was worth it, they saved my finest garments and they did an excellent job All round for me !

4 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I professionally dry clean very little. Most of what gets dry cleaned is headed for consignment. I need to make an appointment to take in some winter things yet. That’s where things get bogged down.

4 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

Very few garments that I dry clean ( usually hand wash silk and cashmeres ) and I live 5-6 blocks from dry cleaners.

4 years ago

kkards

Veteran

back in the day when i was dressing in business and even business casual, i was. once a week like clockwork. now that i'm totally casual, i let it build up, or i drop it off, and 3 weeks later remember i have something at the dry cleaners and go pick it up.

4 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I am absolutely positively wretched at it. And my wardrobe is so extensive, I can avoid it for months. Then again, that’s a reason why I have so much. I do regular laundry on a monthly basis only. Lol.

4 years ago

Anonymous

It's a rare occasion when I go, and I'm usually only bringing one thing. Those chemicals are scary to me so I try to avoid it if at all possible. I just got some Missoni pillow covers that will have to be dry cleaned, but they were so fab I couldn't resist them!

4 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t have a lot that requires dry cleaning, and I do the Dryel thing a lot to save some time, money and wear and tear. But now that my husband is back in the work world, his shirts go to the cleaners once a week anyway, so it’s not that much of a hassle to throw an item or two of mine in with that trip, if necessary. Our cleaners are almost literally around the corner from us, so not a big deal.

4 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I have very little that goes to the dry cleaners. My wool coats get dry cleaned as needed. I avoid dry clean only garments these days.

4 years ago

Cee

Veteran

I haven't been in a dry cleaners since Clinton was Prez !

4 years ago

Anonymous

Team Dryel ftw!

4 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

I am pretty good. Which means: Winter coats only, and only when really needed, so not every year. Most dirty spots can either be carefully wiped away immediately or be brushed away when dry.

You see, I don't like the chemicals involved in dry-cleaning, and I also don't like the high prices (in Scandinavia).

In my experience, almost everything can be machinewashed at a gentle cycle, using Woolite or a similar product.

4 years ago

April

Veteran

I have found that using an "organic" dry-cleaner means no more of those perc fumes coming off my clothes. Those used to give me such a headache (I worked in my sister-in-law's dry-cleaning store in college).

Thank you to all the Dryel fans for reminding me about that product. I have it in a cupboard and had forgotten all about it but will now haul it out.

Rachy, you have nerves of steel! I get anxious when the laundry piles up for even a few days.

4 years ago

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