What do Dry Cleaners clean?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Besides my wallet, I mean.

There was a time not so long ago that a pair of men’s wool slacks cost about $3.50 to dry clean. For that, the slacks came back neatly pressed and smelling of that petro-chemical scent. Whatever wine or salad dressing drips might have stained them were miraculously gone. The pants even felt a bit more comfortable and fitted as if they were new or slightly shrunken like a freshly washed pair of favourite jeans.

But now? I don’t know.

For $8.50, I get back a half heartedly pressed pair of slacks with no evidence of overall cleaning. Sure, obvious spots are gone but there is no smell and no refreshing shrinkage.

Why is dry cleaning so much less satisfying?

2

Not sure where you are, but I drop off all my husband’s dry cleaning and his pants still only cost $3.75. No yucky smell, but they’re always well-pressed and clean. Maybe you need to change dry cleaners.

3

I’ve tried three and it’s hard to tell the difference.

I’m almost certain they simply spot clean and press (poorely) and put them on the hanger.