Best Cheap Dry Cleaner Near Me (2023)

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Last Updated on August 18, 2024 by Rebecca Lake

Looking for a cheap laundry service to meet your dry cleaning needs?

Dry cleaning is a modern convenience that can make life easier. And if you have clothes that need special care, it might be necessary to spend money on professional dry cleaners.

When you’re on a tight budget, you might need to find a local dry cleaners with affordable pricing. Here’s how to find the best dry cleaning business to get clean clothes worry-free, without spending a lot of cash.

Where to Find a Cheap Dry Cleaner Near Me

Need to find a cheap dry cleaner near you fast that offers amazing customer service? Finding the best price dry cleaners starts with searching online. Use the zip code locator to find and address for affordable dry cleaning services in your town or city.

Just type in your zip code and click the button. (Note: Map will open in a new window so be sure you have popups enabled.)

You can also try different variations in your search to see what else comes up, like:

  • ‘Cheap dry cleaners’
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  • ‘Bulk dry cleaning near me’
  • ’24 hour cheap dry cleaner near me’
  • ‘Dry cleaner name + near me’ (for instance, ‘A-1 Cleaners near me’)

You can also search using your city. For example, you might try ‘cheap dry cleaning nyc’ if you live in New York. And if you’re interested in finding a place to wash clothes, you can try searching for ‘cheap laundromat near me‘.

How Much Does Dry Cleaning Cost?

There’s no official data on the average cost of dry cleaning in the United States. What you’ll pay for dry cleaning services or laundry services can depend on where you live, the type of garment care or fabric care you need, the cleaning methods a dry cleaner uses and how in demand their services are.

For example, here’s what you might pay at Colvin Cleaners in Kenmore, New York, a top-rated professional service.

  • Shirts: $3.81 – $7.94
  • Pants/skirts: $9.21
  • Suit: $11.23 – $20.44
  • Dresses/blouses: $9.32 – $18.33
  • Wedding dress: Starts at $113.94 for pressing
  • Bedding/comforters: $40.00 – $50.00
  • Boots: $46.10 for Uggs
  • Backpacks/cloth bag: $22.99

Dry cleaners ads may break down pricing for you but it’s possible that you might need to visit their website or call them up to ask about cost.

Pro tip: Search for coupons for dry cleaning online. For example, ‘colvins cleaners coupons’ brings up search results for coupons offered on the dry cleaner’s website as well as Groupon deals.

The more complex the dry cleaning process is, the more you might pay at different laundry stores.

For example, household items like comforters can cost more than dry cleaning clothes, like dress shirts or a blazer. And some dry cleaners might have an extra charge for delicate items or special fabrics, like suede items.

In general, dry cleaning has gotten more expensive over time. Between July 2021 and July 2022, for example, the average cost of traditional dry cleaning services increased 10%, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

cheap dry cleaner near me
Where to Find a Cheap Dry Cleaner Near Me

Is Dry Cleaning Worth the Money?

Should you spend money on dry cleaning? The short answer might actually be yes. Dry cleaning services can be worth the money if you have clothing or other items made of delicate materials that require special cleaning.

You might put your regular dirty laundry in the washing machine, for example, but that won’t work if you want to clean and preserve your wedding gown after the big day. In that situation, you’re better off letting someone who has years of experience handle your cleaning needs.

The more items you have that are made from special or delicate fabrics, the higher your dry cleaning costs might be. And in case you’re curious, here are some of the fabrics that should be dry-cleaned only:

  • Silk

  • Suede

  • Leather

  • Wool

  • Linen

  • Rayon

  • Fur

You might be surprised to know that denim is actually something that should be dry-cleaned.

Putting jeans in the dryer on high heat can shrink them and wear down the cotton fabric faster. If you can’t afford to dry clean them, washing them in cold water and then line-drying them might be the best option. And you can make jeans last longer by only washing them every three to 10 wears.

How to Find the Best Cheap Dry Cleaner Near Me

The best dry cleaning service is one that offers the best combination of pricing, great customer service and convenience. The range of dry cleaning services offered is also important, especially if you think you might need specialty services.

If you’re looking for the best dry cleaners near you, here are a few things to keep in mind other than prices.

Location, location, location

When you’re searching for “cheap dry cleaner near me” location matters. You want to find a dry cleaning service that’s inexpensive and close by for easy drop-off and pick-up.

Aside from location, consider the convenience factor.

  • Does the dry cleaner offer same day service?

  • Is the dry cleaners connected to a laundromat that offers wash and fold service?

  • How early or late in the day can I drop off the laundry?

  • Can you take advantage of effortless scheduling online?

  • Is there a free pick up and delivery service option?

  • What does of the week can dry cleaning be delivered, if that’s an option?

  • Can I choose my own schedule for pick up and delivery?

  • Are there any areas you don’t deliver to?

  • Can you get contactless dry cleaning services to your doorstep?

You might also be interested in whether a dry cleaner near you offers a mobile or web app to track your laundry. Tide Cleaners, for example, offers a mobile app that lets you manage orders, track coupons and let the cleaners know when you’re on the way to pick up your order at the tap of a button.

Having that kind of benefit built in can make getting your dry cleaning done even less of a hassle.

Dry cleaning services

After you check the locations for a cheap dry cleaner near you, it’s a good idea to review the services they offer. Specifically, you can ask questions like:

  • Which dry cleaning solvents or solutions are used for dry and wet cleaning?

  • Do you use a combination of liquid carbon dioxide and environmentally-friendly cleaning mediums?

  • Will you use cool water or warm water when dry cleaning different types of fabrics or materials?

  • What techniques do you have for treating water-based stains and more complex stains?

  • Are there any fabrics or materials that you don’t treat or dry clean?

  • What happens if my items are damaged or you aren’t able to remove stains from the affected area?

Asking those kinds of questions up front can keep you from having a bad experience with a dry cleaning service.

Experience and customer service

Using a cheap dry cleaner near you can save you money. But it could end up costing you if your clothes end up getting ruined because the dry cleaners are inexperienced.

A good dry cleaner doesn’t need to have decades of experience under their belt or be certified laundry experts. But they should be familiar with different dry cleaning techniques and different types of fabric.

Here’s a good way to gauge how good of a fit a dry cleaner might be. Walk into a local dry cleaner company, go up to the front desk and ask a few questions about their services and pricing. You can also call the office and speak to someone if you’re pressed for time and can’t go in person.

If they’re friendly and responsive, that’s a good sign that you’ll receive excellent customer service if you decide to use them as your local dry cleaners. On the other hand, if they’re rude or seem annoyed at having to help a potential new customer, that’s a red flag to look elsewhere for dry cleaning services.

You can also talk to existing customers or check online reviews with Yelp to see what people are saying about a particular dry cleaner and its team. That can help you navigate your search and find a dry cleaner near you that can serve your needs.

And if the dry cleaning company has an online form that you can use to submit questions, you can fill that out as well to see how quickly they respond.

woman doing laundry at home
Tips for Finding a Cheap Dry Cleaner Near Me

How to Care for Dry Clean Only Clothes at Home

Using dry cleaning services can add money to your household budget. Aside from the dry cleaning services, you might pay an extra charge for delivery and of course, you’ll have to budget for the gas you use to drive there and back.

Even if you’re able to find a cheap dry cleaner near you, that still might be money you don’t afford to spend. You’ll also have to plan time in your schedule to arrange for dry cleaning services.

In that case, you can benefit from learning how to care for dry clean only clothes at home. And it’s possible to get your clothes clean in less time, even without the mechanical action of dry cleaning.

Here are a few tips for keeping your clothes clean and in good shape, without having to send them to the cleaners:

  • Lay clothes with fresh stains flat on a white cloth and try to rinse the stains with cold water first

  • Pretreat stubborn stains and the surrounding area with an appropriate cleaning solution

  • Fill the sink with cool water and let pretreated items soak for up to 30 minutes

  • Use detergents that are designed for delicates on delicate fabrics like wool, cashmere or silk

  • Wash items one by one in the sink, thoroughly rinsing each time

  • Press, don’t wring, water from fabrics

  • Lay items flat to dry or over a drying rack

It’s a good idea to read the fabric care instructions on each garment’s label to check for any additional instructions. For example, you wouldn’t want to take a hot iron to linen without dampening it first.

Also, if you plan to throw any of your delicates in the washing machine you might want to put them in a mesh bag first and keep them on the delicate or gentle cycle.

Cheap Dry Cleaner Near Me FAQs

What does dry cleaning actually do?

Dry cleaning gets your clothes clean using special solvents and little to no water. The solvents that are used in dry cleaning wash out stains and dirt from the surface of fabrics without causing the fibers to stretch or shrink from absorbing water.

Is dry cleaning the same as laundry?

There are some basic differences between dry cleaning and laundry. Dry cleaning primarily involves the use of special solutions and techniques to get clothes clean. For example, dry cleaners typically utilize chemicals such as chloroethylene or PERC that can remove hard-to-get-out stains like ink or wine. Laundry, on the other hand, usually means washing clothes with detergent and water at home in your washing machine.

Can dry cleaning remove stains?

Dry cleaning can be an effective way to remove stains from delicate fabrics that you might note be able to get out at home using just your washing machine or hand washing. For example, some of the stains dry cleaning can remove include fat, grease and oil stains, protein-based stains like blood and stubborn stains like ink.

What happens if you wash dry clean only?

Is there any danger in washing clothes that are supposed to be dry cleaned? The short answer is yes, it does matter. Putting clothes in the washer that should be dry cleaned could shrink your garments significantly. Or the fabrics could end up getting stretched and the garment could lose its shape. And embellished clothes, like wedding dresses, or furs don’t belong in washing machines either.

Can I sue a cheap dry cleaner near me for damaged clothing?

Having an item ruined at the dry cleaners can wreck your day. And it’s possible that you might decide to sue for damages if a dry cleaning business isn’t willing to make it up to you. Your local department of consumer affairs can be a good place to start to learn what your rights are if you want to sue a dry cleaner. Just keep in mind that if your dry cleaner has a fancy corporate lawyer, you might need a good attorney of your own to prove your case.

Final thoughts on where to find a cheap dry cleaner near me

The best dry cleaners are the ones that help you keep your clothes looking great and have plenty of satisfied customers. Whether you want to get your dry cleaning delivered to your doorstep or you just want to be able to save money on cleaning services, doing a little research beforehand can help you find a dry cleaner that fits your schedule and your budget.

Need more money tips? Read these posts next:

Best Cheap Dry Cleaner Near Me

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About Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance, freelance writer and homeschooling single mom of two. Since 2014, she's paid off nearly $100,000 in debt and grown her net worth to seven figures. Her work has appeared online at top personal finance websites, including Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Investopedia, The Balance, CreditCards.com and U.S. News & World Report. Find out more.