What Is Dry Cleaning Exactly (and Why Is It Expensive)?
For many people, dry cleaning is just something they do without questioning it because the care label says so.
It’s easy to put off - a silk blouse in need of pressing, a winter coat still carrying the scent of last season’s commute. And yet, dry cleaning plays a more important role than many realise.
It doesn’t only make garments appear smarter, and the wearer look sharper.
It also helps them last longer, stay fresher and avoid damage - from causes you can’t always see.
Here’s everything you need to know about dry cleaning. What it really does, why it costs what it does, and how it may be looking after more than your dress sense.
What exactly is Dry Cleaning?
Dry cleaning isn’t dry. It uses liquid solvents instead of water to clean delicate fabrics such as wool, silk, and cashmere. The most common solvent is perchloroethylene (“perc”), but more environmentally responsible cleaners now use hydrocarbon, silicon-based or liquid CO₂ alternatives.
The process removes oils, odours, stains and residues without shrinking or distorting the fabric. It’s especially effective on structured garments (suits, coats, blazers) and items that can’t be easily washed at home.
After cleaning, items are carefully pressed, reshaped, checked and packed.
Does it really clean - or just refresh?
It cleans.
Proper dry cleaning removes visible and invisible build-up. From sweat and city grime to bacteria which cause lingering odours, especially in collars, linings and underarms. These residues can attract moths, trigger skin irritation, and degrade natural fibres over time. Dry cleaning restores the way the fabric behaves as well as how it looks.
Though it isn’t fragrance-based. It doesn’t mask smells. It removes the source.
Unlike a quick steam or airing, professional dry cleaning sanitises the garment. Which means the “fresh” scent you notice is actually the absence of bacteria, oil and pollutants that regular washing may leave behind.
Especially important in London, where pollution, sweat, and compressed wardrobe space can all work against fabric freshness.
Can Dry Cleaning help with moth prevention?
Yes - indirectly but significantly.
Moths are drawn to natural fibres (wool, cashmere, silk) which carry traces of skin oil, food, sweat or dust. These substances provide exactly what moth larvae feed on.
Dry cleaning removes these traces, making garments far less appealing to moths. It doesn’t kill moths or eggs directly, but it removes the conditions they thrive in.
If you’re storing out-of-season items (winter coats, knitwear, occasionwear) cleaning them before they go into storage is one of the most effective moth damage prevention steps you can take.
Should you keep the plastic cover on your Dry Cleaning?
Not long-term.
The plastic used by most dry cleaners is for transport and short-term protection only. Left in place, it can trap moisture, restrict airflow and cause yellowing or mildew - especially in warm wardrobes or humid environments.
If you want to protect clean garments from dust or moths, switch to a breathable cotton or canvas garment bag, ideally with a zip and moth-repellent sachet inside.
Your CiD EA can source smart looking covers for you if you’re re-organising your wardrobe or rotating seasonal pieces.
Is Dry Cleaning safe - for your clothes, your health, and the environment?
It depends on the chemicals used by the Dry Cleaner.
‘Perc’, while effective, is heavily regulated due to potential health and environmental risks. Many modern dry cleaners now use safer, more sustainable options such as:
– GreenEarth (silicon-based) – non-toxic, odourless, biodegradable
– Hydrocarbon – gentler on fabrics, widely adopted
– Liquid CO₂ – non-toxic, water-free, very low impact
These alternatives are better for delicate fabrics, sensitive skin and the environment. Though they cost more, which is likely to reflect in the Dry Cleaner’s pricing.
Why is dry cleaning so expensive?
A quality dry cleaning service involves:
– Garment-by-garment inspection
– Manual stain pre-treatment
– Solvent-cleaning in calibrated machines
– Pressing, steaming, reshaping by hand
– Final checks and packing by hand
There’s staff time, insurance, specialist knowledge, and shop overheads - especially high in London, where space is at a premium and compliance matters.
If you’re using a Dry Cleaning shop on a regular basis, it’s good to ask them about their process and chemical use to understand how this relates to their pricing.
What makes a good Dry Cleaner?
When you’re thinking about going to a Dry Cleaner for the first time, consider if they:
Use eco-friendly solvents
Clean in-house, don’t outsource
Are experienced with luxury fabrics and finishes
Offer repairs and minor tailoring
Take garment history and fabric seriously
Provide proper packaging, delivery and follow-up
Offer seasonal cleaning and storage prep (e.g. moth-proofing)
Have a reliable collection and delivery service
What can you do at home?
– Dry Clean every time to avoid re-hanging worn wool or silk items back in the wardrobe
– Avoid overpacking - give garments space to breathe
- Only store freshly cleaned clothes long-term
– Swap plastic covers for breathable garment bags
– Use cedarwood blocks or natural moth repellents (your CiD EA can source these for you)
The CiD take:
We arrange dry cleaning weekly collections and deliveries for our clients - from garment collection and inspection to delivery, folding, and wardrobe coordination.
For many, it’s about readiness: knowing when a meeting, dinner, or trip appears, their clothes are ready to go, pressed, and looking great.
We also advise on moth-proofing, storage strategies and seasonal wardrobe rotation - because caring for your clothes is caring for your personal presentation, comfort and investment.
If you're a CiD client, your EA can oversee the entire process for you, from choosing the right cleaner to protecting the returned items.
Fresh. Protected. Looking sharp. Consider it Done.