What Else Can Go to a Dry Cleaner? Drapes, Bedding, Rugs, Leather and More

Most people think of a dry cleaner as the place for suits and the good dress. But some of the biggest jobs in a home aren't clothes at all. The drapes that have hung in one spot for years, the duvet nobody has washed since the move, the rug under the coffee table. Royal Cleaners handles more than garments, and their FAQ says to call if you're wondering about a particular item.

Drapes and draperies

Curtains collect more than people expect: dust, cooking smells, the grime from an open window on a busy street. Royal Cleaners cleans draperies, and a few details make the job easier for everyone.

• Take out the hooks and pins, and leave the rods and hardware at home.
• Check for lining. A lined panel behaves differently from an unlined one, and the cleaner needs to know.
• Note the fabric and any care label. If there's no label, say how long the drapes have hung and where.
• Mention sun damage or faded stripes along the folds. Fabric that has been in a bright window for years is more fragile than it looks.
• Measure them before you take them down, so they go back up in the same place.

Bedding and pillowcases

Duvets, comforters, blankets and pillowcases are on the list of household textiles they launder. Bulky bedding is the classic case where a home machine gives up: it won't fit, it clumps, or it comes out damp in the middle. If you've been putting off the big comforter because of that, this is the use case.

Check the care label if you can find it, and mention anything unusual, like a down fill or a decorative trim. Bring it in a bag that closes, since a loose comforter in the back seat picks up everything it touches.

Area rugs

Area rug cleaning is on the shop's service list. A rug is the heaviest thing most people will carry in, so think through the logistics first. There's no pick-up and delivery at Royal Cleaners, so you'll need a vehicle that can take it. Roll the rug rather than folding it, since a fold can crack the backing or leave a crease that stays. Shake out loose dirt first. And call ahead with the size and the fiber if you know it, so they can tell you what to expect before you load the car.

Leather and suede

Leather and suede aren't forgiving. Water spots suede. Household cleaners can strip the finish from leather and leave it dull or stiff. The FAQ says Royal Cleaners handles both, using special techniques for these materials. A jacket, a skirt or a handbag with a stain is a better candidate for the counter than for a damp cloth at home.

Tell them what's on it and how long it's been there. And don't treat it with conditioner or spray first. Whatever you add changes what the cleaner has to work around.

Wash and fold, by the pound

The newest addition is wash and fold, at $2 per pound. It covers clothing and some household items, so call if you're not sure that a particular piece qualifies. For everyday laundry, the arithmetic is easy: a ten-pound bag comes to $20.

It suits the clothes that don't need special handling: t-shirts, jeans, socks and everyday basics. Keep the dry-clean-only pieces out of that bag, and empty the pockets first. Anything delicate, like a wool sweater or a silk top, should go to the dry cleaning side with a note rather than into the wash and fold pile. Laundered shirts have their own price, starting at $3.00.

Uniforms and bulk orders

Royal Cleaners works with schools, offices and other organizations on bulk uniform cleaning and offers discounts on large-volume orders. Contact them for details. If you wear a uniform of your own, they also offer a discount for Police, EMT and Fire Department.

A good reason to ask

One more thing people don't expect from a neighborhood cleaner is some flexibility. Nathan Subramanian, who started coming after moving to Albany, wrote that “they've even accommodated urgent dry cleaning requests on multiple occasions, saving me from rushing out to buy a new work outfit.” That's the kind of thing that comes from being a family-run shop that has served the area for over sixty years, now in its third generation.

Before you haul it in

Call first with big items. Say what it is, roughly how large, and when you'd like it back. Turnaround for standard dry cleaning is typically two to three business days, and larger household jobs are a conversation you should have at the counter.

The shop is at 814 San Pablo Avenue in Albany, open Monday to Friday from 7 to 2 and Saturday from 8:30 to 2:30, closed Sunday. The number is (510) 323-4167.