Unlike home laundry, dry cleaning isn’t something most people deal with every week. Because it’s not something with which everyone is familiar, questions tend to come up: Isn’t it expensive? How can clothes be cleaned when it literally says “dry”?
That’s precisely why we created this First Time Guide – to clear things up and make the process easier to understand. Let’s walk through what really happens behind the scenes to ensure your first visit goes smoothly.
Steps to Take Before Dry Cleaning Your Clothes
For first-timers, the dry cleaning experience begins before your garments and textile items (towels, area rugs, drapes, comforters, bedding, etc.) leave your home. A little preparation on your end helps the cleaner do a better job. These simple steps enhance the entire dry cleaning process.
Let’s start with what you should do before handing over your clothes.
1. Check the Care Label
Care labels are helpful, but they’re not always written in plain English. Terms like “dry clean only” or unfamiliar symbols can feel disconcerting if you’ve never dealt with them before.
Here’s how to use labels the smart way:
- Consider “Dry Clean Only” as a firm instruction, not a suggestion.
- If it says “Dry Clean” without “only,” ask your cleaner for their recommendation.
- Ignore washing symbols you don’t understand – your cleaner sees these every day.
A good cleaner uses labels as a starting point while considering fabric, construction, and wear.
2. Empty Pockets and Remove Personal Items
This sounds obvious, but it’s one of the most common mistakes first-time customers make. Tissues, receipts, pens, and even coins can cause real damage during the dry cleaning process.
Before drop-off, do a quick sweep:
- Check all pockets, including inner jacket pockets.
- Remove pins, brooches, belts, and detachable accessories.
3. Point Out Stains (Even the Small Spots)
Many people assume stains are noticeable or that cleaners will automatically find them. In reality, some stains are nearly invisible until heat or time makes them permanent.
When dropping off:
- Point directly to stains, even faint spots.
- Mention what caused the stain if you know (wine, oil, makeup, ink, etc.).
- If the stain has been there a while, simply share that information.
- Most clients sign up for pickup and delivery services, so the same details should be noted and placed in a garment bag, or provided through online pickup instructions.
This allows the cleaner to apply the correct pretreatment for better stain removal.
4. Speak Up About Concerns
If you have concerns about certain garments or textile items, simply share those concerns. Your cleaner truly wants to understand your circumstances so they can provide the best possible service.
Let your cleaner know if:
- The item is sentimental or of high value.
- You’ve had issues with the fabric before.
- You want light pressing or special handling.
Clear communication builds trust and ensures the cleaner tailors the dry cleaning process to your garment.
The Key Steps Behind Professional Dry Cleaning
Once your clothes go behind the counter, the real work begins, and it’s far more detailed than common expectations. Professional dry cleaning is a sequence of controlled steps designed to clean, protect, and restore garments.
Here’s a clear look at what actually happens during professional dry cleaning.
Step 1: Garment Inspection and Sorting
Every item is inspected before cleaning begins. This step sets the tone for the entire dry cleaning process and prevents costly mistakes.
During inspection, cleaners:
- Check for stains, loose threads, missing buttons, or weak seams.
- Identify fabric type, color stability, and construction.
- Sort garments by color, weight, and cleaning method.
This is why dry cleaning isn’t “one load fits all” – each garment receives individual attention.
Step 2: Professional Stain Pretreatment
Pretreatment is where experienced cleaners really earn their expertise. Stains are addressed before the main cleaning cycle, not after.
This step may include:
- Spotting solutions matched to specific stain types
- Gentle agitation by hand
- Controlled dwell time to avoid fiber damage
Proper pretreatment is often the difference between a stain fading or disappearing completely.
Step 3: The Actual Dry Cleaning Cycle
This is the part most people imagine, but it’s more controlled than expected. Garments are placed in specialized machines that clean using liquid solvents instead of water.
What happens during this stage:
- Solvents circulate to dissolve oils and grime.
- Machines precisely control temperature and movement.
- Clothes are cleaned without swelling fibers, which happens with water.
This explains how dry cleaning works so well for structured or delicate clothing.
Step 4: Solvent Extraction and Drying
After cleaning, solvents are carefully extracted and filtered. Clothes aren’t “air dried” the way laundry is. They’re gently dried in the same closed system.
Key benefits of this step:
- No harsh heat that causes shrinkage
- Minimal friction to protect fabric texture
- Consistent results across different garments
This controlled environment is a major reason dry cleaning preserves fit and finish.
Step 5: Pressing, Steaming, and Finishing
Cleaning alone doesn’t make clothes look sharp; finishing does. This is where garments are restored to their intended shape.
Finishing includes:
- Professional pressing using fabric-appropriate equipment
- Hand steaming for delicate or detailed areas
- Shaping collars, lapels, seams, and pleats
This step separates professional dry cleaning from at-home garment care.
Step 6: Final Quality Inspection
Before anything is returned to you, it’s inspected again. This final check ensures nothing was missed.
Cleaners look for:
- Remaining stains or spots
- Proper pressing and alignment
- Overall appearance and readiness to wear
Step 7: Packaging and Protection
Clean clothes are packaged to stay clean, pressed, and protected until pickup. This step is often overlooked but matters more than people realize.
Depending on the garment:
- Items may be wrapped in breathable covers.
- Structured pieces are hung to maintain shape.
- Folded items are layered to prevent creasing.
Good packaging is the final step in a complete dry cleaning process.
You Can Trust Faulkner’s Dry Cleaning and Laundry For Your First Dry Cleaning Visit!
If you’ve ever hesitated at the thought of handing over a favorite outfit, you’re exactly who we’re here to help. At Faulkner’s Dry Cleaning and Laundry, we’ve been guiding Dallas families through eco-friendly dry cleaning since 1954, ensuring a comfortable, transparent, worry-free experience from the very first visit.
With same-day service and FREE Pickup and Delivery Service available at our Oak Lawn and Lakewood locations, getting professional care for your clothes has never been easier or faster. If you’ve tried other dry cleaners in Dallas and felt something was missing, now is the perfect time to experience the difference careful handling and clear communication can make.
Sign up to schedule a FREE pickup through our website, and leave the stress of dry cleaning to Faulkner’s Dry Cleaning and Laundry.
Online Scheduling: https://faulknerscleaners.com/signup/
Location: 4225 Oak Lawn Ave. Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (213) 325-2895