How Much Does Dry Cleaning Cost?
In the UK, dry cleaning is included in a sector worth £1.2 billion in 2022. This higher amount signifies the importance that we put on quality laundry solutions as a nation, with the average household spending around £320 a year on their washing.
Dry cleaning is a traditional technique for refreshing clothing that is often considered for items such as suits or occasion dresses. However, it can be applied to a whole range of household products and garments as long as the material suits. One question we commonly get asked about is how much the service costs, as the consensus amongst many is that it is a costly luxury not available to all.
Keep reading to learn the average dry cleaning costs in the UK and how Love2Laundry compares.
How Is Dry Cleaning Different From Regular Laundry?
With the average Brit undertaking approximately 13,000 laundry loads in their lifetime, you would be forgiven for not seeing the towels from the bedsheets when it comes to different ways to process washing. For many, the task is dreaded, so stuffing items quickly in the wash is the quickest way to eliminate the chore. However, this can damage items as not all fabrics can be processed this way.
Traditional laundry refers to a washing machine that uses different water temperatures combined with a varied spinning motion to clean clothing. The variations of spins are designed to saturate, clean and rinse our items so they can be dried easily. This cleaning is suitable for many materials, but not more delicate ones such as wool or silk. You may also find that even items that are designed for machine washing become damaged over time as the pressure of a spin cycle can cause deterioration in items.
Professional dry cleaners tackle the problem of dirty laundry in a completely different way, as no water is used at all! Instead, specifically designed solutions are applied to items depending on their cleaning requirements and construction. They are then placed in a dry cleaning machine, which gently rotates items to agitate the solution into working. Items are then finished using steaming, pressing or ironing to set the fabric fibres into place, ensuring a hardy, long-lasting finish.
Dry cleaning should never be done at home. Instead, dry clean only items or other things you wish to have a professional dry clean should be handed to the experts to reduce any risk of damage.
How Much Does Dry Cleaning Cost?
Standard dry cleaning services averagely range from £8 – £39.54 per item in the UK. Factors such as the type of business, region, dry cleaning (finishing, etc), and amount of items being treated will all impact how much you can expect to spend.
Dry-cleaning is prices based on the type of items, with the most popular categories being as follows:
Household – Including everything from single bed sheets to pairs of curtains, dry cleaning for household items is a popular service as many of these products are hard to keep at home. Dry cleaning also helps things last for longer so that pricy home accessories stand the test of time.
Our prices range from £1.50 for a tea towel to £35.00 for a double mattress protector.
Shirts/Tops – From just £3, you can have shirts and tops dry cleaned by our team of experts. These clothing items are ideal to have dry cleaned as they are often required to be pressed into a certain design. Dry cleaning is also suitable for the more delicate fabrics that many tops are made from.
Suits – Most suits are in fact dry clean only as they are made up of complex design patterns and constructed from a range of materials that are not suitable for machine washing. Our prices start from £4.95 for a tie dry clean to £175.01 for a bundle service.
Dresses/Skirts – Similar to suits’ requirements, most dresses and skirts are only suitable for dry cleaning. Our prices start from £8.50 per item, with specialist finishing solutions such as the treatment of pleated skirts also being available.
Trousers – A nice trouser dry clean is also a preferred service by many people as the laundry method ensures a sharp and tailored finish is achieved every time. Our prices start from £4.75 per item.
Outdoor – Have you ever tried to wash a padded coat or fleece at home? If so, you will know it’s not the easiest of tasks. This is because the various layers included in outerwear are sometimes not suitable for excessive water or heat. From £6.00, we can provide dry cleaning of outdoor garments such as jackets, blazers and overcoats.
Can You Wash Dry Clean Only Items?
If you are looking into costs, chances are you may have also considered if there are any substitutes for dry cleaning. While a few home-hacks can help you maintain and refresh dry clean-only clothing, the same processes cannot be replicated domestically.
What Are the Financial Benefits of Dry Cleaning?
Even though we have focused on what you stand to spend so far, there is also lots of value to gain. The points below show how you can financially benefit from investing in professional dry cleaning services for your loved items.
Items Last for Longer
Not only do dry cleaned clothes last longer between washes, but the treatment always gives them the best chance of being a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.
Dry cleaning puts less pressure on items when being cleaned and offers a delicate way to treat the root cause of issues without harmful treatments. This means less chance of spending money on replacing damaged goods or buying new items.
This financial benefit also extends to treating normally tough or impossible issues, such as removing armpit stains. You will commonly find that stains and smells can remain with normal washing. However, one of the reasons that clothes have a slightly distinct smell after dry cleaning is that freshening products are not used to mask problem areas. Instead, clothes are deeply treated and left in a neutral and fresh condition.
Less Spend on Utilities and Home Washing Products
This one is probably obvious but outsourcing your laundry means less electricity, less water, and no need to purchase washing products on your weekly shopping!
Save Time
Have you ever heard of the saying that time is money? Well it really is as time spent processing laundry could be spent on other tasks that benefit you much more than just having a nicely pressed shirt in your wardrobe. Your time is valuable so why not send the washing away to be someone else’s duty?
Is Dry Cleaning Worth the Price?
Is it better to wash or dry clean clothes? For suitable garments, dry cleaning offers a superior finish to regular washing. Thanks to the longevity this process can add to clothing and the rectification of some forms of damage, it is very much worth the price.
Choose Love2Laundry for Dry Cleaning
As expert dry cleaners, we can offer you a simple way to get garments and household items cleaned. Eliminating the worry of leaving your clothes for too long in the dry cleaners, our mobile service is quite affordable and convenient.
When using our app for laundry or our website, you can book the exact dry cleaning service you require. You also choose a collection and return address/timeslot to ensure the service meets your schedule. Do you have a dress you need for the weekend or a suit that needs a refresh before a big business meeting? Fear not, as our team can sort you out!
Want to find out more about our dry cleaning services? Contact us today! Our laundry app makes life easier for everyone, so give us a try.
