How Much Does Dry Cleaning Cost?

Last Updated on March 20, 2023 by Alterations Express Staff

Dry cleaning is a great service that will extend the life of your clothing and get your best pieces looking their best. It’s an awesome, hassle-free option for those who don’t have the time, energy, or patience to clean, iron and press their own clothing. And it’s shockingly more affordable than you might think! Obviously, pricing will differ depending on which provider you pick, so make sure to shop around for the best deal in your area!

But, to make things easier, we’ve provided a complete guide to dry cleaning pricing so you’ll know if this awesome service can fit within your budget.

How Much Does Dry Cleaning Cost?

So, how much does dry cleaning actually cost? On average, customers usually spend around $25 to $50 each time they visit their dry cleaner. That includes between 3 to 5 items of clothing for each trip. Now, remember that dry cleaning costs vary widely across the country. And costs also vary widely depending on the type of garment and its material.

But let’s break down dry cleaning costs and be more specific about what you’ll pay for each clothing item in your closet.

Shirts:

Cost: $2.99 – $8.00

Dress shirts are probably the most common item dropped off at a dry cleaner. Dry cleaning your dress shirts will ensure that they retain their shape & integrity for longer-lasting wear. Ask about dress shirts if you’re shopping for the best dry-cleaning prices. They’re a good indicator of how expensive other services may be. Also, note that there is a big difference in terms of price between laundered & dry cleaned shirts; however, the end result doesn’t vary much in terms of the quality of cleaning.

Additionally, the cost to dry clean women’s blouses will be more expensive than a regular collared shirt.

Pants:

Cost: $5.00 – $11.99

The cost to dry clean a pair of pants depends on the garment’s material and if you have any special requests for pressing, cuffs, or creases. For example, the cost to dry clean dress pants and jeans is relatively the same, but if you want your jeans starched, that will increase the price. There also may be a distinction between men’s & women’s pants or slacks.

Skirt:

Cost: $4.99 – $11.99

Regarding the dry cleaning costs for skirts, the type of material, length, and size can all increase the price. (Browse our dry cleaning price list to compare how our dry cleaning prices match up against competitors)

Suits:

Cost: $14.99 – $25.95

Remember that with suits, most dry cleaners consider two and three-piece suits all separate items and price them accordingly. However, you shouldn’t pay more than $26 in total to have a two-piece suit cleaned.

Sweaters:

Cost: $7.25 – $12.99

The type of material is the most important factor when considering the cost of having your sweaters dry-cleaned, especially because sweaters are mostly made of material considered to be ‘dry-clean only.’ Make sure to read the care labels on your sweaters correctly to understand the materials and the correct care for your garment.

Sweater Materials Cheat Sheet: 

Cashmere: DRY-CLEAN ONLY

Wool: DRY-CLEAN ONLY

Rhyon: DRY-CLEAN ONLY

Polyester/Acetate: DRY-CLEAN ONLY

**If your sweater contains any of these materials, opting for dry cleaning is safest.

Dresses:

Cost: $13.25 – $19.99

For dresses, material concerns would increase the cost (i.e., chiffon, silk, satin) because of the difficulty of removing stains from this type of material. Additionally, length, detailing & number of pieces (belts, beading, or sequins) may also increase the dry cleaning prices.

Coats:

Cost: $15.00 – $25.99

Leather & suede coats or jackets will cost more to be dry-cleaned. Additionally, you may be charged extra for dry cleaning depending on the coat’s length (waist-coat vs. 3/4 length coat).

Comforters:

Cost: $18.99 – $42.99

The size of the comforter (twin, queen, king) & material (down vs. regular) affects the price of dry-cleaning comforters. *Most dry cleaners have special specials for comforters, so make sure to pay attention to your local dry cleaners’ promotions & special offers to get the best deal.

Wedding Dresses:

Cost: $199.99 – $379.99

The cost of having your wedding dress dry-cleaned can vary greatly. Consider what you’d like to have done to your dress and shop around for prices before you select a provider. For example, if you would only like your dress professionally cleaned but not boxed and preserved in acid-free tissue paper, then the cost will be significantly less than opting for wedding dress preservation.

Wow, you made it to the end! Thanks for sticking with us to find out how much dry cleaning costs.

Dry cleaning can be extremely affordable and a luxury service that can fit into your budget. Just make sure to shop around for prices and search for the best deals in your area. Learn more about dry cleaning services and pricing at Alterations Express today.

Learn more about dry cleaning pricing.