The cost of dry cleaning

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timmmay

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#144145 8-May-2014 16:11

Since we're having a rant about optometrists, how about dry cleaners? I got a wool three piece suit cleaned and pressed today, it cost $42 - $30 for the jacket and pants, $12 for the waist coat, from New Zealand Dry Cleaners in Johnsonville. Over the life of a suit you probably spend more on cleaning it than buying it. It's not like it was dirty, it was just crumpled after a wedding overseas, it just needed a light wash and press.

Are there any decent value dry cleaners around?

Geektastic

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#1039224 8-May-2014 16:26

It's so long since I used one, I wouldn't have a clue!!

I know my wife uses one in Featherston St in Wellington and says it is reasonable.

alasta

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#1040429 8-May-2014 22:53

In recent years I've avoided buying garments that require dry cleaning because I can't afford to clean them!

Batman

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#1040462 9-May-2014 02:35

wow other people have the same problem?

hmm ... might hold off tailoring a suit ... i have crappy hallenstein ones - they say dry clean only i hand wash with gentle soap and bob's your uncle. heavy detergent + soak = all colours faded! (learnt that lesson on a suit that no longer fits)

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#1040463 9-May-2014 02:36

um that suit's like 5 year old - i've only handwashed the pants once ... hmm ...

eracode

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#1040471 9-May-2014 06:54

joker97: um that suit's like 5 year old - i've only handwashed the pants once ... hmm ...

Do they stay standing up on their own when you take them off?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

timmmay

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#1040472 9-May-2014 06:54

Wool seems to need washing less than most materials. I had 3 very nice suits made in Thailand, not by a sweat shop but by a good tailor with Italian wool. I have a few others too. Maybe I should just wear them all then find a dry cleaner who will do a bulk deal.

Not keen on washing them myself, no idea what damage I'd do.

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#1040478 9-May-2014 07:45

In the past suits were sponged clean and hung up to air out. You aren't supposed to wear one suit until it's so bad it needs cleaning before moving to the next. Even rotating spare pants helps as wool can recover its shape if given time off.

Apparently the Koreans have developed steam cabinets to refresh clothing.

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timmmay

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#1040510 9-May-2014 07:59

I do tend to do that, just for variety. I have four or five suits I wear regularly, each with spare pants. I tend to wear a combo for 3-5 days then switch to another. I tend to keep one pair of pants clean in a set though, then dry clean the first pair once I've been wearing it for a while. Identical pants are never quite the same, one is always slightly smaller which makes one pair more comfortable.

nate

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#1040537 9-May-2014 09:04

I was amazed during a recent trip to Sydney, I was able to get my suit (jacket and paints) dry cleaned for $20.

Actually considering taking more stuff over next time as it's so ridiculously cheap compared to here.

timmmay

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#1040557 9-May-2014 09:07

nate: I was amazed during a recent trip to Sydney, I was able to get my suit (jacket and paints) dry cleaned for $20.

Actually considering taking more stuff over next time as it's so ridiculously cheap compared to here.

Pants and jacket cost me $30, which is A$27, so you'd save $7 by taking them to Australia. Then of course you have to get them back to New Zealand, and they'll probably get crumpled in your suitcase and may need pressing. Doesn't seem worth the hassle for $7 IMHO.

nate

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#1040940 9-May-2014 17:07

timmmay:
nate: I was amazed during a recent trip to Sydney, I was able to get my suit (jacket and paints) dry cleaned for $20.

Actually considering taking more stuff over next time as it's so ridiculously cheap compared to here.

Pants and jacket cost me $30, which is A$27, so you'd save $7 by taking them to Australia. Then of course you have to get them back to New Zealand, and they'll probably get crumpled in your suitcase and may need pressing. Doesn't seem worth the hassle for $7 IMHO.

I need to stop using a place in Parnell, I don't think I've ever paid $30. :/

ajobbins

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#1040941 9-May-2014 17:14

My dry cleaner here in Melbourne charges about $20 to dry clean a suit. I also have all of by business shirts washed and pressed by him (I hate ironing) for $3 each.

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gzt

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#1041251 10-May-2014 10:05

Take a look at the small independent laundries around the place. They can look unimpressive in the extreme but are often operated by competent and experienced people.

McNulty

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#1041868 11-May-2014 21:26

Just spoke to a friend who works at a dry cleaner's in Christchurch. A suit & pants is $24.60 and the waistcoat is $9.
Apparently the chemical they use...(something that sounds like pere-chloro-ethelyne?) is expensive to import into NZ and is not manufactured locally.
Friend also says that half the stuff that people bring in is machine washable or hand washable but they don't bother to check the labels

bazzer

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#1055014 28-May-2014 12:49

timmmay: Not keen on washing them myself, no idea what damage I'd do.

Definitely don't wash your wool suits. The other guy's suits are probably polyester, much hardier. Your wool will probably lose its shape, even hand washing.