Understanding Dry Cleaning: What You Need to Know

Dry cleaning is essential for preserving delicate fabrics, but it can often feel confusing. Here’s a breakdown of the dry-cleaning process, how it differs from other methods like launder and press, and why professional expertise is so important.

1. What Is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a process that uses non-water-based solvents to remove stains and odors from clothing. Unlike traditional washing, garments are not soaked in water. This method is ideal for fabrics like silk, wool, and cashmere, which can be damaged by regular laundering. Dry cleaning helps maintain the shape and quality of your clothes, making it the go-to choice for high-end garments.

2. Dry Clean vs. Launder and Press

Many people are unsure of the difference between dry cleaning and launder and press services. Dry cleaning uses specialized solvents, while launder and press involves water, detergent, and commercial-grade machines. Laundered items, like cotton dress shirts (the most common launder and press item), are returned crisp and clean. Dry cleaning is for delicate fabrics, while launder and press works best for dress shirts, everyday wear, and clothes made from more durable materials.

The term dry cleaning is often used loosely to describe both services, but cotton items like dress shirts are laundered and pressed, not dry cleaned, despite being processed at the drycleaners. Most laundry service companies send launder and press items to dry cleaners because they have the equipment and facilities to allow for faster, more efficient pressing of many items at once.

3. Per-Piece Attention

Dry cleaners charge per piece because each garment gets personalized attention based on fabric type and care instructions. Whether it’s a suit that needs dry cleaning or a shirt that’s laundered and pressed, the appropriate method is always used to maintain your clothing’s longevity.

4. Professional Expertise and Training

Dry cleaning isn't just about running clothes through machines. Professional cleaners undergo rigorous training to handle various fabrics and stains. They know how to treat delicate garments, remove tough stains, and ensure that your clothes look their best without damaging fibers. This expertise is especially important for items labeled "dry clean only."

Unsure if your items need dry cleaning? You can rely on Fresh Laundry Company’s expertise to guide you. Our professionals know which garments should be sent to Rideau Cleaners for specialized dry cleaning and which can be handled in-house as part of our professional laundry services. Trust us to ensure your clothes receive the appropriate care for their fabric and condition.

5. Eco-Friendly Solutions

More dry cleaners are embracing environmentally friendly technologies. Fresh Laundry Company partners with Rideau Cleaners, a leading eco-friendly dry cleaner committed to sustainability. Rideau Cleaners uses SYSTEMK4, an advanced, non-toxic solvent that’s safe for the environment and cleans garments more effectively than traditional methods. This ensures your clothes are treated with care while minimizing environmental impact.

6. How Fresh Laundry Company Supports You

Fresh Laundry Company is a depot for Rideau Cleaners, a business with over 90 years of experience. Rideau Cleaners specializes in both dry cleaning and launder and press services, ensuring each garment is treated in the safest, most effective way possible. They inspect every piece carefully, use the advanced Versaform 3 for pressing shirts with air and steam, and are committed to eco-friendly practices. Whether it's sending your dry cleaning your delicate garments to Rideau or laundering your everyday wear in house, you can count on expert service.

For professional garment care that protects your clothes and the planet, Fresh Laundry Company, in partnership with Rideau Cleaners, is your local solution for dry cleaning and laundry services.

Versaform 3 (by Unipress)