Dry cleaning and laundry: how to book easily without overpaying
What suits dry cleaning and what suits washing
Water washing suits bedding, towels, simple curtains and many everyday clothes. Dry cleaning is for items that water harms: delicate wool, silk, down jackets, leather, suede, coats and heavy suits. Some items, like carpets and upholstered furniture, are cleaned by special methods, often at a workshop.
Before you book, check the care label: it usually says whether the item can be washed. If there is no label, simply describe the fabric in your request and the provider will suggest a method.
How ordering through BlaBlaPrice works
Instead of phoning every dry cleaner, you write one request, for example “a down jacket and two sweaters to be cleaned by the weekend”. You can add one photo. BlaBlaPrice checks the request and points out which details are missing. Then dry cleaners, laundries and professionals in your city reply in the chat: the price or what it depends on, timing, and whether they offer pickup or delivery. BlaBlaPrice shows the best offer by content first, and you can see reviews next to each one. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose a provider. Details are on the “How it works” page.
What to include in your request
- What to clean — clothes, a jacket, a carpet, a sofa, a mattress, curtains, bedding.
- Quantity — how many items, carpet area in sq ft, number of seats on the sofa.
- Material — wool, silk, leather, velvet, synthetic.
- Stains — wine, grease, pet odour.
- Where to clean — a home visit, or pickup and return.
- Deadline, city and area, budget.
Example: “Toronto. A woollen carpet of about 6 × 9 ft with wine stains and two cushions. I need pickup and return, preferably by the weekend. Budget up to $35.”
How to compare offers
Ask what exactly the price is based on: per piece, per kilogram or per square foot. Bedding is often charged by weight, clothes by the piece and carpets by area. Check whether stain removal, delivery, packing and express service are included. “Urgent” usually costs extra.
Find out whether the service is responsible if your items are damaged. If an item is expensive, ask them to confirm this in writing in the chat. Also ask what happens if a stain does not come out completely.
Common mistakes
Not showing the label and not mentioning old stains, then being disappointed with the result. Handing over a garment without checking the pockets. Not agreeing a deadline and expecting a down jacket back in a day.
For a sofa or carpet, say separately whether you need a home visit. And if clothes are also damaged, see tailoring and clothing repair. Other services are in “Household services”.
