First Time Using a Dry Cleaning Service? Why should I use Dry Cleaning Services? Here’s what to expect
Want to look great every single day? Want to make day to day living easier and have more quality time with your family? Dry Cleaning is the answer! Let us do your laundry and keep you and your family looking and feeling your best, and enjoying home life without the looming laundry vampire! If you are unsure about any part of the process see our quick guide below on what to expect.
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How the Dry Cleaning Process Works
Dry cleaning is called “dry” because it uses a liquid solvent instead of water. This method protects your clothes from shrinking, fading, or warping while still removing oil-based stains and buildup that regular washing can’t touch! Dry Cleaning protects the fibers, texture, shape, and the color, giving your garment a much longer life than regular laundry! If you want your garments to look new for longer - Dry Cleaning is the way to go. This also gives you your time back!
Once your garments are dropped off, the cleaning team carefully handles each piece from start to finish to ensure everything comes back fresh, spotless, well pressed, and ready to wear!
Importantly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – American Time Use Survey, shows that most Americans with a family of 3 - 4 spend an average of 80 - 240 hours per person in the home annually (a family of 5 has an average of 240-360 hours a year doing laundry- if you're a mom, you know it's way more!). Imagine what else you can do with that time!
What to Dry Clean, What to Launder
A quick rule of thumb? Truly, all items can benefit from professional care. If the fabric is delicate, structured, or pricey, beaded, leather, or just a favorite it definitely deserves professional care and Dry Cleaning. Care labels are a good guide, but can be unreliable but no worries as our team has over 100 years of combined experience and will be able to determine exactly what is best for all of your garments.
What You Should Bring
Any garments, but if in doubt, start with your most delicate pieces, or with the kind of clothing that reacts poorly to water, heat, or agitation. Silk, wool, linen, rayon, and cashmere tend to shrink, stretch, or lose their finish if washed incorrectly. If you are not sure, bring it to us!
Think blazers, dress pants, formal wear (suits, jackets, dressses), coats, sweaters, shirts, pants, delicates, lined garments, and anything you want to look its best! Many of these pieces are constructed with interlinings and careful stitching that really benefit from the stability of professional dry cleaning.
A quick list to keep in mind:
- Silk tops and dresses
- Suits and blazers
- Cashmere sweaters
- Wool coats and trousers
- Formal gowns and cocktail dresses
- Coats, and seasonal items
- Household items (comforters, drapes, and table wear)
- Band outfits, costumes and anything where extra care is needed
- Anything with the “Dry Clean Only” label - Many items are not labeled and need dry cleaning so it is not always easy to know.
If you invest money in an outfit, dry cleaning helps protect that investment over time. Think of it as maintenance and a nice to have well deserved luxury that gives you your time back while at home and gives your garment extra life and longevity!
That looming laundry monster doesn't have to consume home life!
What else to bring - Laundry
General items that you wear daily require wash, dry, fold, or hang! Denim, cotton tees, work out wear, under garments, casual wear, bulky items, and all day to day clothing. These take time and energy while at home. Let us help you create less work at home and more quality time. We also pick up and deliver for free!
What to Expect at Drop-off
Dropping off clothes at a dry cleaning service is easy! A staff member will greet you, look through your items, and ask about any stains, special fabrics, or delicate areas. Most first-timers are surprised by how simple and quick the process feels – nothing is intimidating about it. Our counter team of experts will have you in and out in a flash! You can also join our free home delivery program!
How We Handle Your Garments
- Inspection: Check for stains, missing buttons, tears or damages (we don't always find damages, but we do look for them ).
- Tagging: Each item gets a numbered tag for tracking.
- Notes/Preferences: We jot down any special requests (like extra pressing or delicate care) or if you want a crease, or starch! Our system will remember your personal preferences.
You might be asked:
- Where the stains came from, as the type of stain determines how to best get the spot out (we use the highest quality professional cleaning solutions available.These are also environmentally friendly).
- When you need the items back (typical turnaround is 2–3 business days, but often, if brought in before noon, we can offer same day or next day pickup - just ask and the counter will know).
At drop off, you’ll get a claim ticket and digital confirmation, (via a mobile app) and updates to let you know when your items are ready for pick up!
What Happens Behind the Scenes
Here’s a closer look at the step-by-step process your garments go through at a professional dry cleaner:
- Sorting by fabric and color –Each and every piece is handled with care and inspected. Sorting avoids dye transfer, and close inspection allows us to treat stains and ensure the best outcomes!.
- Stain pretreatment – We use gentle, professional cleaning solutions matched to the stain type.
- Solvent cleaning – Garments are cleaned and tumbled in a dry cleaning solvent designed to give the best clean and best care to your garments!
- Drying and pressing – a built-in clothes dryer removes moisture; then each item is pressed or steamed.
- Final inspection – cleaners check seams, buttons, and stains before packaging.
We also use alternative methods like wet cleaning, a water-based, eco-friendly process approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and ensure laundry items look their best and last longer.
Tips to Make Your Next Visit Even Better
Communicate and let us know about any special preferences, stains, or damages and when you need the items back. This way we can have the best outcomes!
Simple Dry Cleaning Habits
Before your next drop-off, keep in mind these quick tips:
- Mention stains up front: If you know, tell staff exactly what caused the stain (coffee, wine, makeup, blood, dirt, grease, medication, etc.).
- Mention damages: Show the team any damaged places, missing buttons, or concerned areas.
- Preferences: Share any preferences (starch, crease, press only, hang seperate)
- Act fast: The longer a stain sets, the harder it is to remove. It's usually best not to apply anything at home, and get the item to the store as soon as you can.
- Use breathable bags: Replace plastic garment bags with fabric bags to prevent odor buildup.
- Try add-on services: We offer tailoring and alterations, wedding dress cleaning, formal wear, uniforms, home pickup and delivery (in Alpharetta), leather, rugs, specialty items (coming soon embroidery and monograming).
How to Handle Stains Until You Can Get to the Dry Cleaner
Stains always seem to show up when you’re rushing out the door, coffee on your shirt, makeup on your collar, or a mystery smudge that wasn’t there five minutes ago. When that happens, what you do before heading to the dry cleaner can make or break the final result.
The key is simple: prevent the stain from spreading, avoid heat, and don’t apply anything that might interfere with professional solvents later.
Before you touch the stain, remember this transition rule: less is more until the pros take over.
What Not to Do (Avoid These Common Mistakes)
🚫 Don’t rub or scrub. This grinds the stain deeper into the fibers.
🚫 Skip hot water. Heat sets protein stains like blood, milk, or sweat.
🚫 Avoid random spot cleaners. They can bond with the stain and make removal harder.
Safe Temporary Fixes (Quick, Gentle Actions That Help)
✅ Blot, don’t rub, using a clean cloth to lift excess liquid.
✅ Dust oily stains with cornstarch or baby powder to absorb grease.
✅ Use a plain, damp cloth (water only) to remove light surface residue.
If the stain is large or soaked through, fold the garment with the stained area on the outside and take it to your dry cleaner promptly. Speed greatly improves the odds of a full save.
Experience Stress-free Dry Cleaning from Day One at The Clean Club
Dry Cleaning should feel like someone is taking the stress off your plate. At The Clean Club, we make that first visit simple, personal, and surprisingly effortless. If you don’t already use dry cleaning you are missing out!
For over twenty years, The Clean Club has proudly served Alpharetta and Lilburn, Georgia, offering a dependable, family-run, dry cleaning one stop shop that blends care, precision, and modern convenience. Using eco-friendly products and advanced fabric-safe technology, you can trust our team to deliver high-quality cleaning paired with convenient, FREE Pickup and Delivery Service
Call or stop by The Clean Club today and experience Professional Dry Cleaning in Lilburn, Georgia, and Alpharetta, Georgia.
📍 Lilburn Cleaners: 1066 Killian Hill Rd. SW, Lilburn, GA, 30047 – ☎️ +1 (678) 535-2304
📍 First Class Cleaners: 9950 Jones Bridge Rd., Ste. 100, Alpharetta, GA, 30022 – ☎️ +1(770) 766-9912
📧 Email: service@thecleanclub.com
Links:
Lilburn: https://share.google/Wy81AZ5Gfduf6i7rz -
First Class: https://www.google.com/search
Visit our website: https://thecleanclubga.com/
WE HOPE TO SERVE YOU SOON!
The Clean Club,
Darren and Laura Fincher
