How Long Does It Take To Dry Clean A Suit: Dry Cleaning 101

That beloved suit of yours doesn’t have a presentable appearance anymore? If you spilled some drinks on it by mistake or got a crisp here and there, maybe it’s asking for dry cleaning. But if you’re in a hurry like an important meeting or a gala day is coming up soon, then you may want to look your very best.

Clothes that require dry cleaning are one of the most expensive and delicate additions to our wardrobe. So how to clean and care for them is something every one of us should be knowledgeable about.

You might be thinking, how long does it take to dry clean a suit? Or how often should I dry clean my suits? Rest assured, because we are covering dry cleaning time and everything else you need to know about maintaining those super delicate dresses you own. On top of that, we have come up with some cool life hacks that can delay the need to dry clean for as long as possible. So let’s get started.

Dry cleaning is the method of cleaning clothes and fabric that can tolerate the rigor harshness of a typical washer and dryer. So this procedure uses a gentle chemical solvent that contains little or no water to remove the impurities from the fabric. As a result, the clothes don’t come in contact with water and get deformed.

Besides, if you’ve got stains on them accidentally, then getting a dry cleaning can remove them for you without causing any discoloration. As the stains don’t interact with water, there is zero chance for them to become larger or changing structures.

Coming to the question, how does dry cleaning work? Or the estimated time on how long to dry clean a suit? You’ll get your answer once you go through the steps that are followed generally at every dry cleaning facility:

Step 1: Clothing Inspection

Before beginning, the cleaners examine the type of clothes and the stains it has got. Then they decide on what kind of cleaning it requires. Issues like tears or missing buttons are noted down for customer clarity.

Step 2: Spot Removal

Suppose some butter has fallen accidentally at breakfast, and now you are worrying, can dry cleaners remove oil stains?

Well, good news for you, in this phase, dry cleaners get rid of the spots by targeting each of them individually and treating them accordingly.

So, please inform them beforehand about what caused the marks, when it happened and if you took any measures to remove them then. Every kind of stains has different remedies.

Step 3: Steam Cleansing

After getting rid of the spots, clothes are loaded into a huge drum. There the actual cleaning happens by the steaming process using a chemical solvent. The dirt loosens up.

Step 4: Rinsing

Then they rinse the clothes in a water-free liquid solvent to flush away any remains of dirt and grease.

Step 5: Drying

After that, they dry them at a temperature that is finely adjusted according to the clothing material.

You may wonder will dry cleaning removes mold or not. Lucky for you, if there’s any mold will get eliminated by the heat of temperature used in this phase.

Step 6: Finishing

The last step of the procedure includes steaming and ironing the wrinkles out, reattaching buttons, and making repairs if needed. Finally, they are folded and wrapped in plastic bags.

Now, make sure to take the plastic bag off immediately. Clothes can get ruined by the trapped moisture in them.

Now coming back to the question, how long does it take to get something dry cleaned? Given the lengthy and dedicated process, 3 to 4 hours on average is needed generally. But of course, it depends on the material of the garment, the amount of dirt on it, and the stains it has got. To get the precise idea of how long do dry cleaners take to dry clean a blazer, take it to a dry cleaning specialist. Consult with him/her by showing them the dress you need to dry clean.

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To get the best results, check these things below before you send those precious clothing of yours for water-free cleansing.

• Do some homework. Google to find the best dry cleaners near you. The one who has a good reputation can be trusted with your special suits.
• Point out the spots. Also, don’t forget to mention how you’ve got them and when. It will help them to treat the stains accordingly.
• Don’t forget to mention any loose or delicate buttons and highlight the embellishment that needs special care. It will help them to protect or remove them while cleaning.
• For your record, ask for a detailed receipt, including things you’re dropping off with their issues.

You may ask, how often dry clean suit? Well, it depends on how frequently you wear them. Take a close look at your wearing pattern and habits. If you wear too often, like an average of 3 or 4 times a week, you need to get it dry cleaned on numerous occasions. Once every month or two will do. Of course, if you wear them rarely, you don’t need that much often. You should opt for it once a year then.

When you can’t get rid of the odor, dirt, and spots by brushing, airing out, and stain treatment anymore, it’s time to send them off for dry cleaning.

But dry clean your dresses as less as possible. The powerful chemicals used for this water-free cleansing stripe off the natural oil from the fiber. Your clothes will become more brittle and weary as a result.  So, after some repeated cleaning visits, their longevity gets drastically reduced.

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Here are the ways to store your suit to keep them nice and clean for a long time and delay the need for water-free cleansing.

• Don’t wear the same suit repeatedly. Buy multiple of them. Wear them on rotate.
• The steam roller works like magic to get rid of the wrinkles. To appear freshly pressed, use the steamer with the lowest heat setting every time before wearing the suit.
• After every use, brush off the clinging dust particles before you hang. The best practice is to begin brushing by going against the grain using quick and short strokes. Then finish brushing by going with the nap.
• After each wear, air your suit out by hanging it on a good wooden hanger for at least 24 hours. It’s even better if you can keep them hanging for a day or two. Giving the fabric a chance to breathe and relax before storing them helps to prolong their lifespan.
• Wrap it up by using a cloth cover that allows ventilation. In this way, trapped humidity can’t ruin your cloth.
• Make sure to check the pockets and empty them to prevent crinkles.

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Okay, clothes that come with the tag “dry clean only” can be washed at home too. You just need to do it right. It’s both a cheaper and safer alternative. A harmful chemical named “PERC” is used in this water-free cleaning process. Long-term exposure to this element causes skin disease, respiratory failure, liver, kidney, brain damage, etc. Again it takes a toll on the environment by contaminating air, water, and soil too.

You’ll be surprised to know water doesn’t actually shrink the delicate garment. Rather the agitation caused by the washer or dryer does most likely.

So here are some really cool alternatives you can opt to give those delicate garments of yours a nice and tight clean without damaging them.

Home Dry Cleaning Kits:

They are the perfect alternative solution to dry cleaning. These kits come up with cleaning sheets and stain remover. Just place the clothes in the dryer bag, and the sheets will draw out the dirt in them. The outcome will amaze you. No one can tell the professionals didn’t clean them.

Also, they come in travel-friendly size so you can carry them in your luggage during your overseas trips and do the last minute cleansing before any occasion.

Delicate Wash Cycle:

Choose the delicate cycle of the front loading washing machine. For the best result, fold the garments from bottom to top as tightly as possible and put them in a mesh bag. Use a mild detergent like The Laundress Delicate Wash. If you’re washing woolen suits, then you can go for Wool And Cashmere Shampoo.

Don’t use the dryer. Lay flat them on a drying rack. After the moist evaporates, you can hang them to dry. Make sure not to place them directly in the sunlight to avoid shrinking and yellowing.

Use a garment steamer to get rid of the wrinkles, and you’ll be ready to rock the suit again!

Hand Washing:

You can also manually hand wash the items in cold water and a gentle detergent. Rinse well. Don’t wring them out. Softly squeeze to remove the excess water and hang them to dry.

Pro Tip: Always wear something under the suit. It delays the need for cleaning by protecting them from sweat spots and body odors.

Now that you know how long does it take to dry clean a suit, we hope you got the proper guidance to care and maintain them. So, give it a nice clean and rock the suit look like a boss!