dry cleaning

[sk24iam]

I feel like I spend so much money on dry cleaning my dress shirts. Does anyone have a any tips to cut back on this.

[zakity]

Can you just wash them and press them yourself? Do they have to be dry cleaned?

[Daylily]

1. Look for coupons or other offers at dry cleaners and take your business wherever you find the best price or deal.
2. Can they be laundered vs. dry cleaned?
3. Can you wash the shirts yourself and then pay only for the pressing?
4. Can you purchase shirts that are wrinkle resistant and wash them yourself?

Finally, do what I do. I wash everything myself and iron it all myself. I iron on Sunday nights watching Masterpiece Theatre on PBS. I'd like not to iron at all but working in a professional office requires a pressed look. I try not to buy many things that are 'dry-clean only'.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

At the place where you have them dry cleaned, you probably also have the cheaper option to have them laundered & ironed. Choose that option if you do not want to do your own laundry.

Put a note on a community bulletin board looking to pay an individual for ironing. You may be able to wash them yourself and drop them off to your ironing person to finish, at a lower price than either dry cleaning or laundry-mat wash & iron fees.

[disneysteve]

Buy shirts that aren't dry clean only and wash them at home. I wear a dress shirt every day and wash them normally at home.

[BlackDiamond]

I accidentally washed something then realized the tag said dry clean only. Nothing bad happened to the garment. It's not something I wear often. But often enough. I've never taken it for dry cleaning.

[kork13]

Keep in mind that dry cleaning your clothing too frequently will wear them out very quickly. You should wash your clothing at home as much as possible, which is both cheaper and in most cases, easier on your clothes.

For those things you absolutely must dry clean, you might look into a product called "Dryel". It's basically a do-it-at-home dry cleaning kit. I've not used it myself yet, but my mother has, and it's worked well for her. I don't know exactly how much it costs, but I guarantee it's far less expensive than taking all of your clothes to the cleaners.

After a quick search online, here's a link for some Dryel coupons.

[MonkeyMama]

I don't buy anything that needs to be dry cleaned. (& over the years can generally determine what will fly, or not. I have a fair amount of clothing with "dry clean only" labels. I call BS!)

Anyway, it probably helps that we are both really sensitive/allergic to the chemicals. I mean literally, can't wear dry cleaned clothing anyway, without breaking out in hives.

[maxie.alioto]

Home dry cleaning kits can be found in most superstores and drugstores. Used in your home dryer, they are much cheaper than professional cleaning. But, you will have to do the pressing and stain removal steps yourself.