Sometimes, we look back at our monthly transactions and wonder how so much money seemed to slip though our fingers. When we take a microscope to our expenses it becomes clear that all of the little things add up to something substantial, including those monthly dry cleaning bills.
We all know what we're getting into when we buy something tagged dry-clean only, but most of us do it anyway. In fact, some of us send so much clothing to the cleaners that women spend an average $1,500 a year on dry cleaning alone, and 65 percent of those clothes are actually machine washable!
We were shocked to learn this number and many of you savvy ladies reacted by proclaiming your love for the home dry cleaning product, Dryel. It seems that paying closer attention can really pay off, whether it's reading the labels on our clothes or listening to alternative advice.
Juicy Couture
Dries Van Noten
Anne Weyburn
I Dryel my suits, dresses, etc. I get my coats dry cleaned once a year. Barring any stains, etc., that's all of the dry cleaning I pay for. However, I have a friend who gets about 2/3 of her clothes professionally cleaned. She washes jeans and casual clothes herself, but gets everything else cleaned. She gets button-up shirts, khakis, etc. professionally cleaned. It usually winds up being about $300 each time she goes. I always think about what a waste of money it is!
1I Dryel my suits, dresses, etc. I get my coats dry cleaned once a year. Barring any stains, etc., that's all of the dry cleaning I pay for. However, I have a friend who gets about 2/3 of her clothes professionally cleaned. She washes jeans and casual clothes herself, but gets everything else cleaned. She gets button-up shirts, khakis, etc. professionally cleaned. It usually winds up being about $300 each time she goes. I always think about what a waste of money it is!
2I always get too impatient and click post twice!
3My mom never bought me dry clean only clothes growing up because of how expensive dry cleaning can be. I still try not to buy anything that is dry clean only, but I have made an exception a couple of times for great deals. I worked at 2 dry cleaning places when I was in high school and it was ridiculous what some people brought in. There were many people that would bring in regular cotton t-shirts, underwear, sweatshirts, and things that weren't dry clean only.
4No way. Not me. I spent $70 last year and less this year.
5"This shirt is dry clean only. Which means... it's dirty. "
6it cost far more less to have a washing machine
7I wash things on delicate and let them hang dry and then iron. I can't afford the dry cleaners.
8I'm not shocked by this number at all. I budget $120 a month for drycleaning. And that doesn't include hubby.
9that number seems really high to me, but i guess if that's the result of polling people, then that's what i have to go with. i think that guys spend more - but that's just me
based on what i see with my fiance.
10Yep. My guy dry cleans almost everything. His shirts, suits, and everything. I love knits and jackets, so my dry cleaning bill is relatively high except Summer times.
11Really? I've spent maybe $100 on dry cleaning in my entire life. I don't really wear clothes that need dry cleaning.
12I do not think I have dry cleaned any clothes in years. Of course, I haven't really done it that much to begin with.
13I use Dryel on the few dry cleanables I own, but I try to wash all my clothes delicately or air dry them so they all last longer.
14I spent maybe $10 on dry cleaning last year. I wash the dry clean only stuff w/ the exception of my coats. The coats only get dry cleaned once a year.
15"This shirt is dry clean only. Which means... it's dirty. "
LOL TidalWave!!
It should totally say that on the tags!!
Then again, sometimes nicer things need to be drycleaned (or hand washed) to keep them looking nice. Can't tell you how many times I seen girls in really nice outfits, only to see upclose thay they are covered in little fuzzballs or that its getting threadbare (or worse, gross stain). I figure if its going to be an expensive, timeless piece then yes, get it dry cleaned so it lasts as long as possible while still looking new and crisp (damn you Tim Gunn and your logic!)
16I do not buy clothes that are dry clean only. Every single thing I own is machine washable. If I had to dry clean my clothes, they'd never get cleaned.
17almost all of my "dry clean only" stuff, i can hand wash. Only a few items, like my wool winter coat do I actually get dry cleaned, but only a couple times a season.
18Most of my work clothes are dry clean only (is there anyone on here who doesn't dry clean their suits??) -- but that means I hardly ever go to the dry cleaners b/c it's a hassle. I go about 3x a year and by the time I go, it costs about $200 and I have NOTHING to wear!
19Wait...why is this shocking!?!? I happily pay for drycleaning and the cleaning of my clothes in order to have spare time to play with my child!!! Let's see...plop him in front of the TV so mummy can iron or pay someone to do it so we can play at the park. I vote park! LOL
20I spend nowhere near that amount. I dry clean my coats at the end of the season, my suits and anything linen or silk. Everything else is machine or hand washed. I have no problem with ironing...
21Not me!
22Somehow I manage washing clothes for a family of five and STILL making it to the park. LOL
I fold in the AM while the kids get dressed and brush their teeth and such and I wash / dry at night after they go to bed. I do a load every other day.
We have not been to the dry cleaners in years. My husband buys wrinkle free dress shirts and re-wears them a lot. He only has two suits and only has to wear them a few times a year.
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