Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning?

I'm tired of the same old places in town that all send their stuff out and all charge a lot. Dry cleaning used to be cheap. And I'm tired of being charged 3 times as much for shirts because I'm a woman. Also, that place by Truro Parish by the Wachovia, that place charged me a ridiculous almost 6 dolars for a thin 3/4 sleeve sweater! That's just crazy. They also REFUSED to clean an evening gown/cocktail dress type item that I brought in for fear of ruining it. WTF? Seriously, who in this area does good reliable dry cleaning without price gauging, without an attitude, and without refusing to do a dress?

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

We use Payless Dry Cleaning, it's a wholesale dry cleaner in Sterling- they are in a Industrial Park near Church St (just over the WaxPool over pass). They are great and our bill is super low. Exp 10 shirts .99each Woman's Suit $2.20 Silk Sweaters $1.75. Ask for Johnathan he is the owner.

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

if you don't mind driving to herndon...the best place i've found in the area is elden street cleaners. they are across the street from the ice house cafe. they are fantastic, and very reasonable. they don't ship the items out. i've been going there for years and have never had an issue.

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

A couple years ago this topic came up and I made the rounds trying different places. I've settled on Ashburn Cleaners next to Safeway. Always reliable, good work product and good service. My only complaint is, I wish they were open later than 7:00PM.

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

You can also use Maple Cleaners in Sterling. We used them for FREE pickup and delivery when we lived in Cascades area when we moved up here several years ago. They do alterations also. Just put a note on item and detail what you want done, shoe repairs, and drycleaning. Currently, we use Total Cleaners and are pleased with their services.

Check with other cleaners listed below for same services--web sites and info below:

For rugs and other drycleaning--Bergmanns also offers free pickup and delivery (no shoe repair or alterations.)

www.bergmanns.com (Bergmann's Cleaners web site and info.)

Also, you can try Cleaners 2 U (Yes, this is correct!) They serve Loudoun areas. Free pickup, etc. Village Cleaners in Ashburn Farm, Ashburn Village, Broadlands, Reston, Herndon, and other Northern VA areas is the same as Cleaners 2 U. Cleaners 2 U is their pickup and FREE delivery service business.

www.cleaners2u.com (Cleaners 2 U is a great service also.)

Total Cleaners in Cascades area does same services. Just look up info on cleaners mentioned online.

www.totalcleaners.com (Total Cleaners' web site and info.)

Maple Cleaners does it all-great prices and service.

www.maplecleaners.com (Maple Cleaners' web site and info.)

Most pickup and delivery services leave a large laundry draw string bag and you leave on designated area. They bill monthly or arrange credit card payments. Maple only charges under $1 for hubby's shirts. I used Bergmanns and Maple because of time constraints. Most cleaners will pickup at office locations also. For organic cleaners that do not use alot of chemicals--post query online and I will give some more drycleaner leads and links for your perusal.

The pickup and delivery cleaners pickup once or twice a week and return following week or may pickup (i.e. Monday and return items Wednesday of same week). Depends on cleaners' schedule. Check for current prices and information on web sites.

Foodie

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

I also use Ashburn Cleaners in the Safeway shopping center. So far, they have the best combination of quality, price and convenience.

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

foodie:

Do you know of any local organic cleaners that (do not) use perc for cleaning? It is a known carcinogen. And do you you know of any cleaners that (do not) use plastic bags to cover drycleaned clothes? I used to patronize French Cleaners in NC and they folded and tissue wrapped sweaters and placed them in a canvas bag for re-use the next time. You simply returned your dirty clothes in the bag and they gave you a clean one each time. I miss it!

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

KTdid and others: If you are wishing information on organic/green dry cleaners below are some web sites with links to local dry cleaners:

Connell's Valet (703) 255-9481 W. Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA (No web site--ask if they do free pickup and delivery and what other services they offer).

Drycleaning Station (703) 356-3470 McLean, VA (Web site--drycleaningstation.com--offers full service on alterations, free pickup and delivery, etc. Shoe repair not sure of--ask for info on shoe repairs).

Crest Cleaners (703) 689-3335 Herndon, VA (Other locations listed--web site is--crestcleaners.com Ask for services not listed on web site--pickup and delivery not sure if they offer. Voted best in Fairfax according to web site).

The above cleaners are some locally that are recommended. We have used Crest Cleaners in the past and had no problems. The above information for further research and reading on GREEN drycleaners can be found on following web sites: (I researched this subject recently on organic cleaning for a project for one of my classes.)

greenearthcleaning.com (Green Earth Cleaning gives viable options for dry cleaners and lists organic dry cleaners nationwide).

eartheasy.com/wear_tips.htm (Earth Easy's web site shows sustainable living tips for all phases of living. The link concerning wear_tips explains various methods of organic cleaning such as: wetcleaning, chemical residues on clothes, and other info on this subject. Use this link for extensive research).

Hope this helps--KTdid.

Gotta study organic chemistry for exam next week.

Foodie

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

Foodie:

I learned that most clothing labeled "Dry Clean Only" can actually be cleaned with a water solution instead of Percoethylene (sp). The drycleaning establishment claims the cost is greater when in fact it is less but requires a more involved process. The Perc solution is used over and over again. Has anyone ever taken a cream colored clothing article to the cleaners to find, that over time, it comes back looking more gray than cream? And linen - forget it!

Thank you for the information.

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

I use a Dry Cleaner near where I work in Reston. It's called $1.89 Dry Clean and is located at 600 C Carlisle Drive, just off of Eldon. They charge $1.89 per item and shirts are 99 cents each. So far, no problems and they have done a good job.

 

Re: Affordable and Reliable Dry Cleaning??

KTdid and others--

I am glad that you found info helpful. You might also check out a great book for organic living that I have found helpful in my research work that I am doing for my post grad work.

The book is entitled: ORGANIC HOUSEKEEPING written by Ellen Sandbeck and you can find the book in libraries, Amazon.com, or BN.com. Great publication that gives alternatives for organic housekeeping, foods, drycleaning, ecofriendly floors, etc. Great appendix with resources for web sites and other information.

Yes, there are viable options to toxic dry cleaning chemicals. Research from a group called Consumer Union has compared the results of dry cleaning solvents such as Perc (Perchoroethylene), CO2 (liquid Carbon Dioxide), a silicone-based solvent, and "wet cleaning". Researchers found in their studies that CO2 was the most effective as well as gentle.

GreenEarth franchises (www.greenearthcleaning.com) uses silicone-based cleaning method. Check out the web site for more information regarding alternative methods of dry cleaning.

Good luck--

Foodie

 

Total Cleaners is also an alternative drycleaning company. They use the "perc" (regular method of drycleaning) and alternative drycleaning (greener drycleaning solutions). They also do free pickup and delivery, alterations, linens, and shoe repairs. The phone number is (703) 406-4990.
Web site is:

totalcleaners.com

Since Maple Cleaners no longer services my area, I use Total Cleaners. They also service the Ashburn/Broadlands areas. Coupon offers available online. Great company and services.

Foodie

 

I'm still looking for an affordable solution. We just picked up some items from the place by the Wachovia/Sunoco, and it was over 2 dollars each for laundered (not dry cleaned) men's shirts, and a ridiculously overwhelming price of $7.50 for a women's blouse. It was a small blouse, not much bigger than a large tank top, nothing special to it, and 7.50! My goodness... that's just crazy. We will not be going back there.

 

I'm not sure of the name, but there is one of those "most items for $1.79" places over near church rd/cascades pkwy. (if I have the road names correctly - cross 28 on waxpool, then take a left towards costco, its in a little office park on the left, before you get to claude moore rec center). it is cash only, pay when you drop off, which is a little inconvenient, but it is cheap!

 

Yeah, we went there ONCE too!