According to the Census Bureau, Americans spend approximately $7.8 billion each year on dry cleaning. It is best to have expensive items such as drapes or winter coats cleaned in January, July, or August which are the off-peak times for dry cleaners. Dry cleaners one men's shirt can cost $1.50 to $5.00 to clean per week which can range from $78 to $260 a year for one suit a year. One women's suit can cost $5 to $10 to clean per week which can range from $260 to $520 a year for one suit a year.
Dry cleaners and the products they use may be bad for the environment. Dry cleaners use a product called Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene, perc, or tetrachloroethene. It is a cleaning agent that is toxic and causes several harmful side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, sweating, and unconsciousness. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage or cancer. Here are four ways to save on dry cleaning are:
1) Do-it-yourself kits
2) Wash clothes with dry clean tags in cold water on a gentle cycle using Woolite and hang dry (do not twist or wring the water out from the clothes) unless it is suede, leather, or rayon
3) Don't take clothes to the dry cleaners after every wear, clothes can be worn 3 to 4 times if there are no stains or odors
4) Wash by hand
5) Purchase a home steamer with at least 1200 watts
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