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24-June-2025 06:02:30

What Is Dry Cleaning of Clothes? A Complete Guide for 2025

Why People Are Looking for "What Is Dry Cleaning of Clothes"?

In today's fast-paced urban lifestyle, many Indians now prefer to maintain the appearance of their clothes. The rise in disposable income and heightened awareness of hygiene, especially during the pandemic, has increased the importance of proper cleaning. When it comes to clothes, not everything can be tossed into a washing machine. That's where dry cleaning steps in.

With the rising trends of "what is dry cleaning of clothes" in 2025, people want to know the science behind this process, what types of clothes suit dry cleaning, and the differences between regular washing and dry cleaning. With increasing emphasis on sustainability and longevity of clothes, the demand for professional clothing care is on the rise.

At Mycleaners, we help our thousands of customers keep their garments fresh and new through our dry cleaning and laundry services.

What Is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a process of cleaning garments that uses a liquid solvent instead of water to remove stains and dirt. Even though it's called dry cleaning, it's not dry — clothes are wet, but not with water.

The science of dry cleaning has been around since ancient times. But the modern version we're familiar with today was pioneered in the 19th century when a Frenchman named Jean-Baptiste Jolly discovered that kerosene could remove stains from a tablecloth. Today, more safe and advanced solvents are used.

What are the key differences between dry cleaning and regular washing?

  • Instead of water, the clothes are cleaned with a solvent such as perchloroethylene (or eco-friendly alternatives like hydrocarbon and liquid silicone).

  • Dry cleaning doesn't cause swelling and stretching that water can cause in certain fabrics.

  • Clothes are tagged, inspected, cleaned, pressed, and packaged with utmost care.

What clothes are best suited for dry cleaning?

  • Wool suits

  • Silk sarees

  • Velvet lehengas

  • Embroidered or sequined garments

Dry cleaning is ideal for maintaining the shape, colour, and fabric integrity of expensive and delicate clothes.

Step-by-Step Dry Cleaning Process Explained

Here's how dry cleaning is done at a trusted facility like Mycleaners:

1. Inspection and Tagging

The garment is inspected for stains, damage, or missing buttons. Tags are added to avoid any mix-ups.

2. Stain Pre-treatment

Stains are individually treated with spotting agents suitable for the stain type — oil, ink, wine, etc. Mycleaners uses eco-friendly and fabric-safe chemicals for spot removal.

3. Machine Cleaning

The clothes are placed in a machine that uses a solvent (most commonly perchloroethylene or eco-friendly alternatives like GreenEarth) to clean clothes gently but thoroughly.

4. Post-Cleaning Inspection

The clothes are inspected for any remaining stains or touch-ups required.

5. Pressing, Finishing, and Packaging

Finally, the clothes are pressed with steam, ironed, or reshaped according to the fabric type. They are packaged in protective covers.

Real-life Example

  • For a silk saree, Mycleaners uses solvent-based cleaning followed by a gentle press to preserve the shine.

  • For formal suits, it's all about shape retention and gentle handling.

  • For heavily embroidered lehengas, the cleaning is done without submerging the clothes to preserve the embellishments.

Benefits of Dry Cleaning Over Regular Washing

  • Water can damage certain fabrics, such as silk or wool. Dry cleaning preserves texture and colour.

  • Designer clothes and expensive clothes need the finesse of solvent cleaning.

  • It is particularly effective on oil-based stains that water cannot remove.

  • Clothes can be worn for a longer time without looking worn out.

"My lehenga came back looking brand new. Mycleaners took care of every sequin, and it smelled so fresh. Highly recommended!" – A happy Mycleaners customer

Some Common Myths About Dry Cleaning

Myth 1: "It's just dry — so it can't be effective."

Dry cleaning uses a powerful liquid solvent instead of water. It's highly effective.

Myth 2: "Dry cleaning ruins clothes."

Incorrect procedures can damage clothes, but professional dry cleaners like Mycleaners follow stringent fabric-care protocols.

Myth 3: "It's bad for the environment."

Fact: Cleaners are moving towards eco-friendly solvents. Mycleaners uses eco-friendly practices wherever possible to minimize our carbon footprint.

What Types of Clothes Are Best Suited for Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is best suited for:

  • Formal wear

  • Suits

  • Blazers

  • Tuxedos

  • Ethnic wear

  • Sarees (silk, chiffon, georgette)

  • Lehengas

  • Sherwanis

  • Delicate fabrics

  • Wool

  • Silk

  • Velvet

  • Designer and embellished clothing

  • Sequin outfits

  • Embroidered garments

  • Gowns

These clothes need careful handling and cleaning, which makes dry cleaning the best option.

When NOT to Dry Clean Clothes

Certain clothes don’t need dry cleaning:

  • Everyday cotton t-shirts

  • Jeans

  • Undergarments

  • Activewear and casuals

Tips: Always check the care label. Look for symbols like the circle (dry clean), crossed-out tub (do not wash), or simple washing machine icons to identify the correct method.

How Often Should You Dry Clean Your Clothes?

This depends on how often you wear the garment:

  • Occasional wear: Dry clean after every 1–2 uses.

  • Dry clean after every 3–5 uses, depending on the fabric's exposure to sweat and dirt.

At Mycleaners, we also help our customers create customized cleaning schedules to keep their wardrobes fresh year-round.

Dry Cleaning vs Wet Cleaning vs Laundry: What's the Difference?

FeatureDry CleaningWet CleaningRegular Laundry

Solvent used Chemical (No water) Water + mild detergents Water + detergents.

Garments Delicates and structured Sensitive but washable Everyday wear

Eco-friendliness Improving with better solvents High Moderate

Effectiveness Tough stains, shape retention Gentle yet effective Basic cleaning

Whether you need eco-friendly wet cleaning or traditional dry cleaning, Mycleaners offers a solution tailored to your clothing needs.

How Much Does Dry Cleaning Cost in India?

Dry cleaning costs in India vary depending on the garment type, stains, and fabric:

  • Shirt: ?100–?150

  • Suit (2-piece): ?400–?600

  • Saree: ?250–?400

  • Lehenga: ?600–?1200

Heavily stained or embellished garments may cost more. Mycleaners offers affordable, no-hidden-charges pricing.

How to Choose the Right Dry Cleaner Near You

Here are some things to look out for:

  • Experience: Years in business and trained staff

  • Service range: Dry cleaning, wet cleaning, laundry, pressing

  • Eco-consciousness: Use of non-toxic solvents

  • Expertise in fabric handling, Especially for ethnic wear and designer clothing

Mycleaners has expanded across India with a reputation for reliability, affordability, and fabric care excellence.

How to Start Your Own Dry Cleaning Business

With hygiene-conscious consumers turning to professional garment care, dry cleaning is a growing business.

  • High demand in metros and increasing demand in Tier 2 cities

  • With franchise models, you don't have to start from scratch

  • Partnering with a known brand gives you credibility and customer trust

If you've ever thought about starting your laundry outlet, Mycleaners also offers franchise opportunities with our proven brand, training, and support.

[Learn more about Mycleaners Franchise Program here.]

Conclusion: Why Dry Cleaning Still Matters in 2025

Dry cleaning isn't just a luxury — it's a necessity in a world that values fashion, hygiene, and fabric longevity. It extends the life of your favourite garments, handles stains your washing machine can't, and offers convenience for busy lifestyles.

Whether you're looking for the best dry cleaning service or want to explore a business opportunity, Mycleaners is here to help.