Dry cleaners are legally required to take ‘reasonable’ care of anything left with them. You can claim compensation if your belongings are damaged or lost while in their care.
Even if the dry cleaning company has a sign or notice saying they aren’t responsible for items left with them, this isn’t necessarily true. They can’t opt out of this responsibility just by putting up a sign - it can be considered an ‘unfair term’, which means they’re still liable.
If you’ve had poor service
If you’re unhappy because the dry cleaner hasn’t cleaned your items properly, see our guidance on complaining about a service.
Make a complaint
As soon as you realise there’s a problem, contact them and explain the situation. They might offer you compensation straight away.
If they don’t, you should ask them to either:
It might help to say that you’re aware that “traders have a responsibility of care under the Consumer Rights Act 2015”.
If they have to pay the cost of replacing the item, the maximum they’re obliged to offer you is the value of the belongings when they were left, not what they would cost to replace as new.
You’ll probably be asked to provide evidence of how much it originally cost - for example, a receipt. The dry cleaner can then offer you a reduced amount depending on the condition of the item - you’ll have to negotiate the cost with them.
If you make a complaint
If the dry cleaner is part of a national chain, you could get in touch with the customer services department of their head office and make the complaint to them directly.
If you’re unhappy with their response
If the dry cleaner refuses to compensate you or they offer you too little,find out the steps you need to take to solve your problem.
Get help
Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on0808 223 1133 if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone. You can also usean online form.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, contactConsumerline.
FAQs
Dry cleaners are legally required to take reasonable care of anything left with them. You can claim compensation if your belongings are damaged or lost while in their care. Even if the dry cleaning company has a sign saying they aren't responsible for items left with them, this isn't necessarily true.
What happens when dry cleaners damage clothes? ›
Make a complaint
They might offer you compensation straight away. If they don't, you should ask them to either: cover the cost of repairing the item. pay to replace the item (if it can't be repaired)
What are my responsibilities when bringing clothes to a dry cleaner? ›
Always check the care labels on your garments before taking them to the dry cleaner and communicate any special instructions directly with the staff. Empty all pockets of personal belongings and separate delicate or heavily stained clothing from other items.
Is dry cleaning really dry explain your answer? ›
Dry cleaning uses a waterless cleaning process to remove dirt and debris from clothing. Dry cleaning uses a specialized, large machine that cleans clothing using a solvent. The solvent is then extracted from the clothes, and they are air-dried and pressed.
What happens if you leave your clothes at the dry cleaners? ›
Usually, the company will keep the garments on hold for up to 90 days, in case the customer walks in and asks for them back. Once the 90-day period is over, then the dry cleaner may donate the garments to charity or needy people (such as the homeless).
Can dry cleaning damage? ›
Dry cleaning solvent is lighter than water, allowing it to go through the fabric of your clothes much more delicately than traditional washing. Paired with a quality seven-point inspection, your clothes will come back perfectly clean, pressed, and ready to wear, without any fading.
Can dry cleaning restore clothes? ›
Perhaps it's a delicate silk dress or an expensive suit. Whatever the case may be, dry cleaning is the solution to restoring and reviving your beloved items. Dry cleaners have the expertise and tools to tackle even the most stubborn stains and odours while keeping your garments looking like new.
How do dry cleaners keep track of clothes? ›
When you first drop off your clothing at the dry cleaner, it is tagged with a unique number to identify each item. This helps busy dry cleaners keep track of their customer's clothing and avoids the headache of giving the wrong items to a customer when the process is finished.
What are the duties of a dry cleaner manager? ›
Overseeing daily operations, a Dry Cleaning Manager ensures efficient workflow, manages staff, handles customer service, and maintains equipment. Key responsibilities include quality control, inventory management, and financial oversight.
Do dry cleaners give you a garment bag? ›
Contrary to popular belief, the plastic garment bags you get at the dry cleaner aren't the best storage option for your clothes. They're generally used to help protect your items on the journey from the dry cleaner to your home — not to be used as a permanent storage option.
There's no water involved in the dry-cleaning process. Solvents are used for stain removal, and then each piece is pressed.
Why dry clean instead of wash? ›
What are the advantages of dry cleaning? 1 – Water swells the fibre within your clothes, which is what can lead to clothes shrinking, or the dye running out. 2 – Solvents are much better than water at removing oily or greasy stains, which is what most stubborn stains have as the base component.
What happens if you wash dry clean only pants? ›
Dry clean only clothes should not be washed in a regular washing machine as it can cause shrinkage, color bleeding, and fabric distortion. Ignoring the dry clean only instructions can lead to costly consequences such as damage that may require expensive repairs or replacement of the garment.
What are the consumer's responsibilities when bringing garments to a dry cleaner? ›
Empty your pockets. Remove change, trash, and items that can cause damage to your clothing when cleaned, such as chewing gum, lip gloss, pencils, pens, makeup, or candy. Review the care labels. If any have special instructions, bring them to your dry cleaner's attention.
Do clothes last longer if dry cleaned? ›
Yes, dry cleaning can actually make your clothes last longer! The solvent used in dry cleaning is lighter than water, so the fabric is treated in a more delicate way. Whereas, water can cause some fabrics (such as wool) to shrink, lose its colours, or become frayed.
Do stains come out during dry cleaning? ›
Yes, dry cleaning can remove a variety of stains because it uses specialized solvents instead of water. This process is more gentle on delicate fabrics but stronger against stains, extending the life of your clothing and preserving its shape without the risk of shrinkage.
Does dry cleaning harm fabric? ›
Dry cleaning is a more efficient method of stain removal than hand washing, so your garments will emerge from the process looking like new. Fabric-friendly: The dry cleaning chemicals used are not harsh and won't ruin your clothes.
What are the negative effects of dry cleaning? ›
Perchloroethylene (PERC), a potential human carcinogen, is the most commonly used dry cleaning solvent. Symptoms associated with exposure include: depression of the central nervous system; damage to the liver and kidneys; impaired memory; confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness; and eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Does dry cleaning deteriorate clothes? ›
Sometimes we hear the “chemicals” used in dry cleaning are too aggressive and break down clothing. The majority of cleaners in the United States use perc which is an aggressive cleaner but still does not deteriorate clothing fibers.
Can dry cleaning cause holes? ›
Sometimes holes in garments appear after dry cleaning, but this is due to weakened fibers that existed before cleaning.
